Proper hydration is a cornerstone of maintaining a healthy, vibrant lawn. Water your grass right and watch it grow healthy and resilient. But how long should you water your lawn? It’s best to water your lawn for 30 minutes each time, which amounts to about half an inch of water.
Learn more about how to water your lawn based on your grass type.
Why watering your lawn is vital
Want your lawn to be the talk of the town? Make sure you’re watering it regularly. Here’s why irrigation is such a big deal for keeping your yard looking fabulous:
- Maintains your lawn’s vitality: A proper water supply can visibly impact your lawn’s overall well-being. It helps with photosynthesis (how plants convert water, sunlight, and carbon dioxide into energy) and other vital processes needed for plant development.
- Helps with root development: Regular, deep watering helps your grass develop a sturdy, robust root system, which allows it to withstand various environmental stressors, including drought, diseases, and pests.
- Enhances visual appeal: When you water your lawn the right amount at the right time, you’re contributing to a lush, vibrant, healthy lawn your neighbors will surely notice. Well-hydrated blades of grass stand up straighter, shine better, and look healthier.
- Boosts stress recovery: Your grass is exposed to various daily challenges, including extreme heat and heavy foot traffic. Regular irrigation can help your grass regenerate and bounce back after stress.
- Prevents soil compaction: If you water your lawn just right (avoid overwatering), you can avoid compacted soil. This happens when excess water particles fill the spaces within the soil, creating a compact structure that limits the movement of air, water, and nutrients throughout the soil.
- Supports seed germination: When it comes to new lawns, consistent watering is crucial in the first couple of weeks (the germination process varies depending on grass type). It contributes to healthy grass development and long-term health.
- Prevents weed growth: A correct watering routine is key to growing dense, lush turf that makes it challenging for weeds to grow.
How much time should you spend watering your lawn?
It typically takes about 30 minutes to accumulate half an inch of water, which is how much you should water the lawn during each session.
To determine exactly how long it takes your sprinklers to accumulate this amount, take the tuna can test:
- Step 1: Place small, shallow containers around your lawn, such as empty tuna cans.
- Step 2: Turn on your sprinklers and set a timer for 30 minutes.
- Step 3: At the end of the 30 minutes, measure the amount of water in each can with a ruler. Find the average amount of water across all the cans, and that’s about how much water your sprinkler supplies in 30 minutes.
- Step 4: Adjust your watering time according to the results. If you found the average amount of water in each can was about half an inch, you’re good to water your lawn for 30 minutes each session. If the average was less than half an inch, you’ll need to leave the sprinklers on longer. If it was more, you’ll need to turn them off sooner.
Remember that the required amount of water for your lawn includes rainfall. If you get heavy rain several times a week, you may only have to water your lawn once, if at all. Stay on top of the weather and adjust your watering schedule as needed.
It’s essential to water your lawn less often but for longer periods. This method encourages the grassroots to search for moisture, resulting in a robust and deep root system. In contrast, watering too often for short periods promotes a shallow and weak root system that can’t withstand drought.
Turn your sprinkler system on and soak your lawn until puddles form during each 30-minute session. Every time you go to water your lawn, the soil should be dry and ready for more water.
How often to water cool-season grasses
Normally, cool-season grasses typically require 1 inch to 1.5 inches of water weekly. Water three times a week in equally spaced intervals. Due to higher temperatures and increased evaporation, they may need more water during summer to prevent dormancy and stress. Common cool-season grasses include:
- Kentucky bluegrass
- Fine fescue
- Tall fescue
- Perennial ryegrass
- Bentgrass
How often to water warm-season grasses
Warm-season grasses need less water than cool-season grasses, which is typically about ½ inch to 1 inch of water weekly. Although they’re naturally adapted to thrive during periods of extreme heat or drought, warm-season grasses still need regular watering to remain healthy and vibrant.
As temperatures cool down in the fall months and evaporation becomes less of a problem, you’ll be able to reduce watering frequency. Monitor growth closely and let your lawn guide you.
Irrigate these grass types once or twice a week and adjust the amount based on temperature:
- Bermudagrass
- St. Augustinegrass
- Zoysiagrass
- Centipedegrass
- Bahiagrass
- Buffalograss
What time of day should you water your lawn?
The best time to water your grass is between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m. when wind and evaporation are minimal, allowing the soil to really soak up the water. It also gives the excess water left on the foliage time to dry quickly, which reduces the risk of fungal disease.
If you prefer to sleep in or have a narrow window in the morning, another option is to water your grass in the late afternoon, around 6 p.m. However, this presents some risks; excess water can sit on the grass blades for hours without the sun to dry it, possibly causing brown patch fungus, melting-out, and dollar spot, to name a few.
Bottom line? Morning watering gives your grass the best chance of growing and staying healthy.
Pro tip: Try not to water your lawn in the heat of the day between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. During this time, most of the water will be lost to evaporation before it can soak into the soil, wasting water and leaving your grass thirsty.
Signs your lawn is underwatered
An underwatered lawn can struggle to maintain its vitality, displaying visible signs it’s in distress. Here are some indicators your lawn needs water:
- Yellow, brown, or grey grass. Even though this symptom doesn’t always mean your grass isn’t sufficiently hydrated, most of the time, it’s a sign of underwatering.
- Footprints that remain on the grass long after someone walks on it. This is due to the grass being unable to spring back up as quickly.
- Dry, crispy texture to the grass.
- Slow growth or no growth, which can be temporary or permanent, depending on how long the grass was deprived of water.
How to help an underwatered lawn bounce back
To bring an underwatered lawn back to life, follow these tips:
- Thoroughly water your lawn for three or four consecutive days. Water it until it’s soaked and can’t absorb any more liquid to revive and strengthen the roots.
- Spread a thin layer of mulch across your lawn to retain moisture, reduce water evaporation, and help the soil underneath regulate its temperature. Some excellent organic mulch options include grass clippings, leaves, bark, wood chips, hay, and straw.
- Depending on your soil type and condition, you may need to add organic fertilizer to improve soil structure and its ability to absorb and retain moisture.
- Don’t mow your lawn too short (also called scalping) to allow your soil some shade for moisture retention.
Signs your lawn is overwatered
Giving your lawn more water than it needs can make your grass unhealthy. If your lawn is displaying any of the following symptoms, it might be time to cut back on your watering:
- Puddles on your lawn that persist long after you’ve finished watering your grass. When the soil isn’t absorbing water, it’s either compacted or overly saturated. As soon as you notice runoff, you should take a closer look.
- Fungi and mushrooms in your grass – a clear sign of a damp environment and overwatering.
- Grass that feels squishy when you step on it.
- Slow growth or no growth, evidenced by sparse areas and bare patches on your lawn.
- Yellow grass, as a result of oxygen deprivation.
- Weeds and pests in your grass. These nuisances thrive in damp conditions, and if you’re not careful, they can easily overrun your lawn.
- Thatch buildup, as a result of shallow roots that don’t burrow deep into the soil. These roots decompose and stay on top of the lawn as thatch, smothering the grass and blocking its access to nutrients, air, and sunlight.
How to help an overwatered lawn bounce back
Fortunately, your overwatered lawn can recover if you make proper long-term adjustments. Try these strategies for restoring your lawn to its former glory:
- Reduce the frequency of your waterings, soak the soil when you irrigate, and allow the soil to dry between sessions to help the root system recover. Also, watch the weather closely to avoid combining irrigation with rainfall and choking your grass.
- Keep your soil well-draining to prevent waterlogged conditions in the future.
- Cut your grass according to its recommended height. Having enough height will help the grass better protect the soil and retain necessary moisture.
- Overwatering causes soil compaction, which can be relieved with core aeration. This helps air, water, and nutrients circulate through the soil.
FAQ about watering your lawn
How can I determine how moist my soil is?
Press the tip of a screwdriver into your soil. It should easily penetrate the surface to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. If it doesn’t, the soil is dry, and it’s time to adjust your watering schedule accordingly.
You also could use a soil moisture meter to tell you how moist (or dry) your soil is. Insert the probe end as far into the soil as possible and check the display. Ideally, the reading should be situated in the blue “moist” zone. Outside of that, you may need to change how you water your grass to help it thrive long-term.
What type of irrigation system can help me conserve water?
A drip irrigation system can help you significantly reduce water waste. These systems disperse water slowly and at the plant’s root zone, where plants need it the most to develop healthy, deep roots. Installing an automatic system can further help you reduce your water bill.
What are some other ways to conserve water?
Growing native plants, adding hardscapes to your yard, xeriscaping, installing artificial grass, or planting ground covers are effective ways to protect the planet and conserve water. All of these options are low-maintenance and require minimal or no watering.
Why is it important to monitor my lawn?
Like any living organism, your lawn requires monitoring to stay healthy. If your grass appears squishy, limp, yellow, or brown, or you notice signs of moss or algae, it’s time to revise your watering schedule. Overwatered or underwatered grass also bounces back much slower after mowing or walking on it.
Instead of giving your grass a set amount of water on a schedule, it’s best to let its needs guide you. As soon as you see signs of stress, change your approach and try again.
Get a local pro’s lawn care help
Let’s be real – not everyone’s cut out for lawn care. If tending to your lawn isn’t your strong suit, hiring a local pro can be a smart move. They’ll handle the work and keep your outdoor area looking lush, lively, and breathtaking year-round.
From watering to mowing, fertilizing, and pest management, these pros can handle it all.
Main Image Credit: Adobe Stock
