Nothing completes a home like a fresh, green lawn. It takes lots of work and patience to keep a lawn looking great. One of the simplest ways to do this is to water your lawn. However, it has more steps to it than just splashing water anywhere.
Signs to Water Your Grass
Grass does not have to be watered every day. Typically, it will be watered once a week if 1-1.5 inches of water is given each time. You can tell that your grass needs water if it is a dark-green color or if your footprints remain after stepping in it. Healthy grass should spring back up and have a nice green appearance.
If your grass looks unhealthy, start by giving it the appropriate amount of water.
When to Water
Hold on! Don’t just turn on the hose and walk away. Watering is best done in the early mornings before 10 a.m. At this time, the grass will absorb most of the water given to it. Evening times will bring too much heat causing evaporation, which won’t allow the grass to drink it all.
Night time watering is even worse! Grass will remain moist the whole night giving bacteria and disease a chance to grow and destroy your lawn.
The Best Methods
Now that you know the right time to water, let’s talk about how to water your lawn properly. Overwatering grass can easily kill a lawn just as underwatering it may. To know if your lawn is getting enough water, and not too much, check the soil after a session. Dig a hole 6-8 inches in the dirt. If it is moist then the grass is feeding enough. If it is dry, there can be several issues.
Water Distribution
If you find a spot with dry dirt after a watering session, check to see if your sprinkler is distributing water evenly across the lawn. Do this by placing cups or cans in different areas of the lawn. Each container should have 1-1.5 inches of water in them when the session is done. If you notice one has less or more than you can adjust the sprinklers accordingly.
Timing
After you ensured water is being distributed evenly, you should check to see if the water is on long enough. The same methods can be used to check for this; with cans in several areas, checking for 1-1.5 inches of water collected; or by digging holes 6-8 inches deep, checking for moisture. Once you have a reading of these you can adjust the length of watering. Think about purchasing a timer to track how long the hose needs to be on. This will avoid wasted water and will guarantee enough water is being given.
Types of Sprinklers
Every sprinkler will work effectively if the steps above are followed. However, each brings their own set of benefits and challenges.
Pulsating Sprinklers
These are the better choice for small to medium lawns. They save water by shooting enough water to reach the grass without any evaporation.
Oscillating Sprinklers
This is a nice choice for medium lawns. They are more prone to wind and evaporation, so ensure they are stable.
Sprinkler Systems
Sprinkler systems are great to have but are not necessary for watering a lawn properly. For these, adjust the nozzles so they are not far from the grass, spraying overhead.
Each system will need to be used at the right pressure as well. If the water is too hard it could damage the grass.
Also, each state has their own laws with water conservation. Check your local laws and regulations before you leave your water running.
Annette Masterson is a licensed broker with EXIT Realty Bob Lamb & Associates in Murfreesboro, TN. She has developed one of the most successful real estate teams in Rutherford County, known as Masterson Network, that specializes in new home construction and residential listings and sales throughout Middle Tennessee. You can email Annette at mastersonnetwork@gmail.com or call her at 615-896-5656 (Office) or 615-533-1660 (Cell) for more information.