- per week, and more when the heat is severe. Use a rain gauge or straight-sided can to keep track of the amount of water received from rainfall and irrigation. Lawns need at least one inch of water
- Water deeply and less frequently to encourage drought-tolerant roots.
- Water early in the day to reduce evaporation and fungal growth.
- Water your lawn regularly and deeply to penetrate the root system.
With that being said.... Don't over do it!!!
Too much water can water-log soils and deprive the plants and grass of oxygen. Improper watering can lead to lawn disease development, and also make weed control difficult. There are a few general rules that apply to any watering situation.
- Avoid watering at night if possible. Lawn disease activity will increase if there is available moisture on the leaf or stem surface when it gets dark. If it is cool, dark, and moist, then grass diseases will develop on the plant. Allow enough time for the plants to dry before evening sets in.
- Light, frequent water encourages a shallow root system. The goal is to wet the soil to a depth of 6”. For proper grass care, this generally means leaving a sprinkler in one location for at least one hour, depending upon water pressure and the sprinkler style and output.
- Annual plants and vegetables need extra water during their early growth period. This is especially true of transplants. Once established, these plants need water when they begin to show signs of wilting.
- For perennial or woody ornamental plants, it is usually a feast or famine situation. The goal is the same, though. Wetting the soil to a depth of 6” is generally adequate for these types of plants.
- The use of mulch is an excellent way to retard water losses from the soil.
- Large, established trees and shrubs usually do not require supplemental water, except during extreme drought conditions.