A lush emerald yard isn’t just a fairy tale; all it takes to get a robust green lawn is regular watering and lawn care. Knowing how often you should water your lawn with a sprinkler system is important if you want to keep your yard healthy.
When your lawn doesn’t receive enough water or too much water, it weakens the turfgrass and makes it more susceptible to damage from bugs, diseases, and other issues. Luckily, we’ve put together a guide to provide you with the information you need to create a watering schedule for your yard.
- How often should I water my lawn with a sprinkler system?
- How much water does my lawn need?
- How to measure sprinkler output
- How to decide when to water your lawn
- What time of year should you water your grass?
- How to set your sprinkler system
- Benefits of regularly watering your lawn
- FAQs about how often should I water my lawn
How often should I water my lawn with a sprinkler system?
Lawns need more water in humid conditions or during the summer when the weather is hottest and the lawn is exposed to the heat of the sun. Otherwise, drought and hot weather might turn your lawn into a breeding ground for lawn pests.
How often your lawn needs watered depends on several factors:
- Amount of shade your yard gets
- Local temperatures and climate
- How windy it is
- Type of grass
- Age of grass
- Soil type
- Size of watering zone
- How effectively the soil drains
For best results, water your lawn every other day. This means that, in general, you should water your yard three times a week.
Some areas receive a lot of rain, so don’t worry about sprinkling the lawn when your yard has received a heavy downpour. Otherwise, you waste water and risk overwatering your grass, which damages the health of your lawn.
This chart will help you determine the number of times you should water your yard during the summer and other warm parts of the year:
| Temperature (Fahrenheit) | Number of times you should water the lawn |
| 60 degrees or lower | 1-2 times a week |
| 70 to 80 degrees | 3 times a week |
| 90 degrees or higher | 3-4 times a week |
Don’t water your lawn daily. Daily light waterings result in shallow roots that weaken the lawn and dry out fast. Watering deeply but less frequently isn’t an excuse to save time; it will encourage your grass to develop deep roots.
If your grass looks healthy and robust, you don’t have to worry about it, since lush green growth is a good indication your lawn is in excellent condition.
However, when you notice signs your lawn is unhealthy or unhappy, chances are there is a problem with your lawn, and your watering methods may be the culprit. Make sure to consider the different factors that affect how often your lawn needs watered.
Shade
Shaded areas of the yard retain moisture for longer, since the sun won’t dry out the moisture in the grass as quickly. The more shade your lawn receives, the less often you need to water it. Yards that receive constant direct sunlight need to be watered more often.
Soil types
Soil types have different saturation levels. How long soil retains moisture depends on the type of soil and each soil type’s unique properties and characteristics.
Determine what type of soil you have. Knowing the properties of the type of soil in your yard will help you schedule how often you should water your lawn and for how long.
- Clay soil. Often found in the warm climates of the Midwest and the South, clay soil retains moisture well, so it doesn’t need to be watered as much. Clay soil is slow to absorb water, so be careful to avoid overwatering, which causes water runoff in your yard.
- Loamy soil. Loamy soils are dense and a great soil for grass. They retain water very well, but they drain poorly, which makes them susceptible to flooding, but it means you don’t have to water them as frequently.
- Sandy soil. Sandy soil is often found near rivers, creeks, or coastal areas. Due to sandy soil’s low water retention, grass planted in sandy soil will need to be watered more frequently.
Types of grass
Every type of grass is unique, and some require more water than others. When planning a watering schedule for your lawn, you need to factor in your yard’s grass type since that influences how much water your yard needs.
Grass types are split into two categories: warm-season grasses and cold-season grasses.
Warm-season grasses
As the names suggest, warm-season grasses grow in warmer climates, so they are most commonly found in Southern states. They can be watered more sparsely, about every two to four days.
For best results, warm-season grasses should be watered regularly. Here is the suggested amount for different types of warm-season grasses:
| Type of grass | How much you should water per week |
| Bahiagrass | ½ to ¾ inch |
| Bermudagrass | ½ to 1 inch |
| Centipedegrass | 1 inch |
| St. Augustinegrass | 1¼ inch |
| Zoysiagrass | ¾ inch |
Known for their drought resistance, warm-season grasses love dry climates and they thrive in temperatures that reach 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cool-season grasses
Since they thrive best in colder climates, cool-season grasses usually grow in Northern states. They aren’t as adjusted to arid climates as warm-season grasses, so cold-season grass lawns need to be watered more frequently.
Here is the amount of water your cool-season turfgrass will need when the weather heats up:
| Type of grass | How much you should water per week |
| Kentucky bluegrass | 1½ to 2 inches |
| Perennial ryegrass | 1 inch |
| Tall fescue | 1 to 2 inches |
Cool-season grasses are more likely to thrive in temperatures that range from 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit. They are not as drought-tolerant as warm-season grasses, and because of their cool-climate preferences, you need to water your grass every other day during the summer.
Types of sprinklers
A zone covers a certain area of the yard, and each sprinkler covers a different zone. The type of sprinkler head will impact how effective your sprinkler system is and how much ground they cover during a watering session.
Different types of sprinkler heads are designed for different sized yards.
- Oscillating sprinklers are best for large lawns
- Rotary sprinklers are best for medium or large lawns
- Stationary sprinklers are best for small yards since they cover a small space
Drip irrigation can be used as an alternative for a traditional sprinkler system. Rather than covering your lawn in a barrage of water spray, drip irrigation slowly supplies water directly to the ground by dripping water droplets from a hose directly onto the soil.
How much water does my lawn need?
On average, a lawn needs 1 to 1½ inches of water a week. It usually takes 1 hour of watering to get 1 inch of water, so it’s best to figure out how to distribute watering sessions over the week.
In normal conditions, water your lawn in three 20-minute sessions over the week. The grass should get about ⅓ inch of water during each session.
If you prefer, you also can water your lawn in two 30-minute watering sessions. A half-hour session of watering should give your grass about ½ inch of water.
Don’t forget that the type of sprinkler head you have influences how long you should water your yard:
- Spray heads: Water for 5 or 10 minutes
- Rotor heads: Water for 20 to 30 minutes
- MP rotator heads: Water for 20 to 30 minutes
- Drip system: Water for 20-30 minutes
Rain sensors are a nifty tool that manage your watering schedule when there’s rainstorms in your area. When these sensors detect moisture in the air, they cancel scheduled waterings. Not only will this handy trick save money and water, it also protects your lawn from being overwatered.
Finding the right amount to water your lawn means being like Goldilocks: you don’t want to water your lawn too much or too little, but to find the amount of watering that is just right for your grass. Be careful to avoid overwatering or underwatering the yard.
Underwatering your grass
In harsh droughts where water conservation is necessary, it may be unavoidable that your grass will turn yellow and stay dormant until the drought passes.
Otherwise, it’s important to make sure your yard gets the water it needs to thrive during the summer or dry seasons.
Look for telltale signs your lawn needs water:
- Yellow or brown patches
- Footprint indents in grass
- Dying grass
- Grass looks dull instead of springy and erect
- Tips of grass blades start to curl
When you notice any of these signs in your yard, you need to increase the amount you are watering to help your yard stay green and healthy.
Screwdriver test: Push the end of a screwdriver into the ground to test how dry your soil is. A screwdriver should be able to sink 6-7 inches in the ground. If you have trouble jamming a screwdriver in the soil, increase the amount of times you water your lawn every week.
Overwatering your grass
Overwatering your lawn can harm your grass, so keep an eye out for signs of overwatering:
- Yellowing or discolored grass
- Puddles of water around your yard
- Runoff
- Invading weeds
- Mushrooms or fungal growth
- Lawn insects
- Thatch buildup
- Mushy or spongy ground
- Rotting or shallow roots
Weeds are more likely to grow in an overwatered yard and it might kill your grass since they block roots from receiving nutrients in the soil.
If you are overwatering your grass, cut back the length of time you are watering your yard until you determine the right amount of water your yard needs each week.
How to measure sprinkler output
It’s necessary to calculate the water output of each sprinkler system. But how do you know how much water is landing on your lawn?
Rain gauges or empty tuna cans can be used to measure the amount of water a sprinkler system puts out during a watering session. If you don’t have a tuna can or rain gauge, you can use a similarly shaped container or a pie plate.
- Place a rain gauge in the watering zone and turn on the sprinkler system. If you are using a tuna can, set it in the yard within the sprinkler watering zone.
- After the sprinkler completes its cycle, measure the amount of water in the container. Tuna cans are about an inch deep, so you can use that measurement to assess how much water the sprinkler poured out.
If the amount of water isn’t enough, you may have a problem with your sprinkler system or you may need to make adjustments to your watering schedule to ensure your lawn gets all the water it needs.
How to decide when to water your lawn
Before you set your sprinklers you’ll want to consider what time of day is optimal for them to run, whether you should run them at morning or night, and other climate factors.
Time of day
The best time of day to water your lawn is early morning, between 6-10 a.m. Ideally, it’s best if you water your lawn before 8 a.m. The earlier you water your lawn, the better.
During the afternoon hours, the sun evaporates the water too quickly for it to effectively soak into the roots, which is the part of your grass that needs the water.
At night, moisture won’t have time to evaporate and the dew sits on the grass overnight. Watering at night increases the chances of lawn diseases or fungal problems.
You also can water your lawn in the evening before the sun sets, between 4-6 p.m. That will give it enough time to evaporate from your lawn and absorb into the roots before night falls.
Wind conditions
It’s best to avoid watering on windy days. Otherwise, the wind will huff and puff and blow away the water droplets in your yard, which prevents roots from absorbing the water they need.
After you mow
After you mow your lawn, wait at least 24 hours before you water. Cutting the grass stresses your lawn, so giving it several hours allows the turfgrass to heal. Watering your lawn right after mowing increases the risk of fungal infections in your yard.
Water restrictions
Be careful with watering if there are local water restrictions in place. When there is a drought or water shortage, homeowners and companies are required to comply with water restrictions.
Water restrictions dictate the times and days when homeowners are allowed to water their lawn. This reduces waste by conserving valuable water resources. Before you set up a water schedule, check for local water restrictions and then plan your yard watering accordingly.
What time of year should you water your grass?
While your lawn guzzles water during the heat of summer, it doesn’t need watered during the winter. Knowing precisely when to start and stop watering your lawn for the year can be tricky, and it depends on the local climate.
When do I stop watering my lawn in fall?
When the cold season sets in and grass goes dormant, stop watering your lawn.
Exactly when you should stop depends on the type of turfgrass and the local climate. Cool-season grasses have to be watered for longer, whereas warm-season grasses go dormant more quickly.
Here are some signs it’s time to quit watering your lawn for the year:
- Lawn has stopped growing
- Night temperatures are reaching 40 degrees Fahrenheit
- Temperatures drop to the 30s
- The ground freezes
Grass will even keep growing long into the fall by growing a deeper roof system, especially in warm climates. So in the fall, your lawn still needs 1 inch a week until the frigid winter weather sets in and your lawn goes dormant.
When do I start watering my lawn in the spring?
After emerging from a long, harsh winter of snowstorms and freezing temperatures, there are signs that tell you when you should start watering your lawn for the spring:
- Temperatures are consistently over 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
- The soil and turfgrass in your yard are thawed out.
- Your lawn is reasonably dry.
- Grass is no longer dormant and has started to grow.
How to set your sprinkler system
Automatic sprinklers are handy since homeowners can program them to water the lawn at a preset time. This saves homeowners time on having to water their lawn by hand.
Any good sprinkler system comes complete with a timer, which allows you to set your system to automatically water your lawn at any time of day.
Two types of timers are used for sprinkler systems:
- Digital timers, which use electronic circuits. Digital timers are the most common.
- Mechanical timers, which use gears and metal pins.
Both digital and mechanical timers are automatic, but they are set in very different ways.
Digital timers
When you set a digital timer, there is usually a program switch that allows you to switch between options such as “stop” or “run.”
To set a digital timer:
- Slide the program switch to “run.”
- Select the water zone where you want to run your sprinklers. Zones will likely be labeled as “Zone 1” or “Zone A” or by a similar naming convention. Each water zone will need the schedule to be set.
- Set the current date and time. Your timer needs to be programmed with the current time so it knows when to turn on the sprinklers.
- Set the runtime for your sprinklers by entering the number of minutes you want your sprinklers to run.
- Select the days you want your sprinklers to run.
- Repeat these steps for each watering zone.
Mechanical timers
Mechanical timers operate differently than digital timers, since they are run by gears. Here are the steps you should follow if your sprinkler system uses mechanical timers:
- Push the pin into the time slot next to the time when you want to run your sprinkler system. Place pins in for the amount of time you want your sprinkler system to run.
- Leave an open hole in the timer if there is more than one zone in the sprinkler system.
- Set the current time by turning the dial.
- You can add more pins into other times slots if you want to run your sprinkler system multiple times during the day.
- Pins should be pressed down for no watering.
- Each watering zone should be set this way.
If you ever need to turn off your sprinkler system, it should be a simple matter of turning the dial to “off” or “stop.” There should be an “off” switch to operate your sprinkler system, which will stop the sprinkler system from running again until you switch it back to “on” or “run.”
Benefits of regularly watering your lawn
A well-watered lawn prevents your grass from yellowing and it increases your lawn’s resistance to harmful lawn pests and diseases. But most importantly, a regularly watered lawn keeps your lawn healthy.
When a lawn is deprived of water, it weakens your yard and decreases the health of your turfgrass. Regularly watering your lawn with a sprinkler system is necessary for keeping your yard healthy. A healthy lawn offers many benefits:
- Absorbs noise
- Generates oxygen
- Absorbs rainfall
- Prevents flooding, runoff, and erosion
- Purifies water from pollutants and improves groundwater quality
- Provides a good surface for outdoor activities
- Helps dissipate heat by cooling down the yard
- Maintains temperature moderation
- Boosts curb appeal
FAQs about how often should I water my lawn
Is it better to water the lawn with a hose or a sprinkler system?
It depends on personal preference, as there are advantages to both hoses and sprinklers systems. Some of the differences are:
- On average, hoses use 60% less water than sprinklers.
- Since hoses use less water than sprinklers, it saves money on water bills
- Hoses are more mobile and flexible; sprinkler systems are fixed in one location.
- Hoses are more water-efficient; sprinklers lose a lot of water via evaporation.
- Lawn sprinklers cover the grass in an even blanket of water spray.
- Installing sprinkler systems costs a lot more than buying a hose.
- Sprinklers can use timers and be set on a schedule; watering with a hose means you have to manually move around the soaker hose.
- Sprinklers increase the value of your home.
- Hoses are better for soaking roots.
How much does it cost to install a sprinkler system?
Installing an in-ground sprinkler system cost between $2,400 and $4,200, depending on the scope of the project. That means it’ll cost you about $0.20 to $1 per square foot.
Certain factors influence the installation price:
- Lawn size
- Type of sprinkler system
- Number of watering zones
- Steepness of slopes in your yard
- Maintenance costs
Is a DIY sprinkler installation better than hiring a pro?
If you’d prefer trying a DIY installation job, you can opt to install your sprinkler system yourself rather than hire a professional for the job.
A DIY installation should be cheaper, since a DIY sprinkler installation kit costs about $130 to $260, which is considerably cheaper than hiring professional services.
However, installing sprinklers yourself can be a challenging and time-consuming task, especially for homeowners who don’t have much experience with similar home improvement projects. Without the right skills, it can be a difficult hassle to install your own sprinkler system.
Get the lush lawn of your dreams
Installing an automatic sprinkler system not only saves you time and money, but it will keep your lawn looking strong and healthy.
Once your sprinklers are programmed to water your yard throughout the week, you won’t have to worry about your lawn. Don’t hesitate to hire a pro to install a sprinkler system in your yard or repair any damage to your current irrigation system.
Main Photo Credit: FOX | Pexels | License
