The amount of water your lawn needs will vary between different types of grass. Seasonal changes and soil structure also play a role in determining   water needs. As a general rule, plants need one inch of water per week to maintain plant health.

Water deeply or don’t water at all!  Light sprinklings actually do more harm than good – and this is true whether the water comes from rain, irrigation, or your water hose. If the lawn is to stay deep-rooted and healthy, it must be watered until the soil is wet to a minimum depth of six inches or more.  This will help your grass survive drought and hot weather conditions that tend to dry out the upper layer of soil first.

Warning:  Lite top watering will cause shallow root systems and weak plants.
Save Water – Grow Organic!

Don’t guess at the amount to determine how much water is being applied.  To measure, simply place a rain gauge in the zone to be watered.  The gauge should be placed near the center of the arch of water.  The goal is to run watering system until one inch of water accumulates in the gauge.  To test your watering system, set your timer for 15 minutes, and then measure the amount of water in the gauge.  For example, if ¼ inch collects in those 15 minutes, you can calculate that 1 inch will accumulate in 1 hour.  Now that you know how long it will take to get your required 1 inch, establish the zones that your system will cover. To prevent waste and ensure deep water penetration run water for 20 minutes intervals in each zone of your yard.  The first pass will open the soil to allow the water to penetrate. The second 20 minute interval will allow the water to soak in deeper and so on.  After three 20 minute cycles in each zone, you will have accomplished your goal of 1 inch of water and deep root penetration.

Now that you’ve watered the required one inch, wait approx. 30 minutes, then check zone to see if water has penetrated 6 inches in depth.  This can be done by simply using a large knife or coring tool.  Cut out a 1 inch by 6 inch deep core and remove. Check to see if moisture has penetrated to the proper depth.  If so, replace dirt and grass core and press firmly back in place.  If not, continue watering until a 6 inch or more depth is achieved.

Please note:  Each zone may not require the one inch of water to penetrate 6 inches in depth.  Some areas, for instance slopes, may need more water to achieve proper depth.  Sometimes watering slopes can cause overwatering in other spots.  Corners and edges may be missed by your sprinkler system and areas next to walls, sidewalks or pavement may require more water since they tend to dry out faster due to the radiant heat of brick and concrete.

How do you know when to water again?  You will not water again until the soil has dried to at least 2 inches in depth.  Again check this by removing a core sample.  If it takes 12 days for the soil to dry to 2 inches in depth, you will water one inch every 12 days.  Each month will have a rise in temperature or natural conditions that may change the time of the soil drying.  During April it may take 12 days, but during July it may only take 6-7 days to dry out.  Keep a monthly calendar and make adjustments as conditions change.  After your first season of watering you will have a good routine to follow.

As you can see, it is impossible to prescribe a fixed routine for watering due to differences in soil, shade, grass species, slope, low spots, climates and weather variations.  Due to all of the elements involved, what may be good today may not be the same next month or at the same time next year.  You must remain flexible and diligent in your measuring and monitoring, watering only when and where needed throughout the growing season.

Best time to water is early in the morning between 5am – 8am.
Watering should never be done at night, as it promotes disease.