Lawn Watering Advice: Ask the Experts
How often should I water my lawn?
You should water your lawn heavily approximately 1-2 times per week rather than a small amount every day. Watering too frequently will keep the upper soil moist and encourage the grass’s roots to grow towards the surface in search of water. This makes the lawn less drought-tolerant.
Getting the moisture deep into the soil encourages deeper root penetration, and grass with long, healthy roots is better at coping with dry weather.
For more information, see How Often Should I Water My Grass?
Getting the moisture deep into the soil encourages deeper root penetration, and grass with long, healthy roots is better at coping with dry weather.
For more information, see How Often Should I Water My Grass?
How do I know when my lawn needs watering?
Lawns will begin to show signs of stress after approximately 1 week without moisture. A lawn that needs watering will start to lose its lush, shiny appearance, and eventually develop brown patches.
Here’s another tell-tale sign: if your grass stays flat after you walk on it, it is probably short of moisture. Grass wilts when it needs water, just like flowers do.
Here’s another tell-tale sign: if your grass stays flat after you walk on it, it is probably short of moisture. Grass wilts when it needs water, just like flowers do.
Tips for drought-resistant grass
- Raise the height of your lawnmower to reduce the amount you’re cutting off the grass when you mow. This will reduce grass stress by enabling the plant to retain more moisture.
- Avoid watering in the late evening. Early morning and mid-afternoon are the best lawn watering times.
- Thatch on the surface of your lawn will absorb moisture, preventing it from reaching the roots of your grass. Thatch should be removed through scarification.
- Wetting agents can be used in periods of drought to reduce the impact on your lawn. These are applied to the lawn in order to encourage maximum usage and absorption of moisture by the soil.
