How Much Do You Know About Watering Your Lawn?

Watering your lawn seems quite straightforward, right? That said, there is so much more to it than just turning on the sprinkler and letting it run. Having more knowledge about lawn care can literally make or break your lawn.

Tips for Watering Your Lawn:

How often do I have to water my lawn?

Ideally, you should water your lawn about 2 to 3 times per week. You might think that watering daily is necessary, but what you may not know is that watering too often can give your grass a shallow root system. The goal is to have a deep root system because that will make your grass stronger and more resistant against droughts.

How much water does my lawn need per week?

1” to 1.5” of water is ideal, however, if you get that much rain in your area, you don’t need to water it yourself as well, because that will oversaturate it. Not sure how much precipitation has fallen? Buy a rain gauge at your local hardware store!

How long does it take to water 1” to 1.5”?

It depends on HOW you are watering your lawn – hose or sprinkler – as well as what your water pressure is like. For example: If you have an automatic sprinkler, that would take approximately 1 hour, so then you would divide that by the amount of days you are able to water. (For example: 20 minutes x 3 times a week = about 1 inch of water … 30 minutes x 3 days a week = about 1.5” of water).

Note: If there is a heatwave, there will be more evaporation, which means you will need to water more than usual. Also, be sure to check on your sprinkler to ensure that you are getting good coverage and so that your water isn’t being wasted on the sidewalk or the street.

What is the best time of day to water my lawn?

If possible, early in the morning is the best time to water your lawn.

Why? Because (1) Your lawn will be able to dry before night-time, so fungus or other issues don’t become a problem. (2) There will be less evaporation in the morning, which can save you money on your water bill, as well as time spent watering.

I heard it can be good if my grass gets slightly wilted from the heat. Is that true?

If your grass gets slightly wilted, that can actually send a signal to the roots, instructing them to grow deeper to fight the dry spell. This can help your lawn as temperatures rise.

What if I have a brown spot on my lawn that does not seem to be reviving itself with water?

This issue could be due to a dead spot, fungus, pesky bugs, or debris hidden under the soil. It is a great idea to call a professional landscaper to check it out.

If you are located in the Coquitlam area and are having lawn issues, give us a call at 604-720-2853. We would be happy to help you get your lawn alive and well again.

ATC Landscape has been proudly serving the Tri-Cities (Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody), Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge since 2001.