Extension

When pulling up to a home, one of the first things you notice is the lawn. A good-looking lawn makes a good first impression. It’s no secret that a healthy lawn needs irrigation but depending on the type of turfgrass, watering requirements are different.

 

Setting a regular watering schedule may seem like a wise choice, but turfgrass grows better when it’s irrigated on an as-needed basis. Watering isn’t a one-size-fits-all but differs by type of grass and location across the state.

 

Factors such as soil type; temperature, humidity, wind and precipitation; and management practices such as mowing and fertilization, all play into determining how and when to water. Sandy, coarse-textured soils absorb water faster but retain less water than fine-textured soils such as loams and clays; therefore, it takes less water to moisten sandy soil to a depth of 6 inches compared to clay soil to the same depth. This means more frequent applications of less water are required for turfgrasses grown in sandy soils.

 

Healthy turfgrass has a strong, deep root system, which is established with proper watering. When homeowners water too often, the grass typically doesn’t develop a strong root system. The early morning hours are ideal for irrigation. Watering later in the day wastes water due to evaporation and wind. Late evening irrigation leaves the grass wet for longer periods of time and can result in increasing the occurrence of disease. Remember, water only when the lawn is showing symptoms of needing to be watered.

 

In general, warm-season grass lawns made up of bermudagrass require about an inch of water every five or six days during the summer through a combination of irrigation or natural rainfall. Cool-season grasses such as bluegrass, ryegrass and tall fescue require more water than bermudagrass – up to 2 inches per week in the summer. Grasses need more than that when humidity is low, the wind is blowing and the grass is in full sun.

 

Probe the soil to help determine the depth of the water. If water begins to pool in areas and run-off is occurring, stop irrigating and allow the water to soak into the soil. Homeowners may need to repeat this process several times before proper irrigation is complete.