Now that it’s August, you may be feeling the effects of long sunny days of summer heat—well, so is your lawn. Knowing how much to water your lawn to keep it sufficiently quenched will depend on a variety of factors:

• Grass type
• Soil type
• Environment
• Season
• Amount of sunlight
• Area water restrictions

Lawns can soak up a lot of water. If your area gets a lot of rain, you may be good to go. If your area is prone to drought, you may be better off with a more drought-resistant type of grass, shrubs, or no grass at all. Watering your lawn the right way can help save your grass while saving you time and money in the process.

How Much to Water Your Lawn

On average, your lawn should get at least one inch of water per week during dry conditions. If the water can moisten between three to six inches of soil, that would be enough to reach the root system for optimal grass growth. Depending on where you live, this could be no problem. If you live in an area that sees less rainfall, there are easy ways to boost that number.

To find out what that number is, measure rainfall with a rain gauge. Track the amount of water from a hose or sprinkler by placing containers at least one inch deep around your lawn. If you time how long it takes to fill up these containers, you’ll know how long it should take you to water your lawn.

Best Watering Practices

Whether you water the lawn by hose or sprinkler, do so in the early morning hours for best results. The cooler temperatures will help the water reach further without evaporating as fast. Aerating your lawn can also help the soil soak up the water. If you notice runoff on sidewalks or driveways, you could be using too much water, or the ground is not taking it in as well.

Keep a regular watering schedule so that you don’t stress your lawn from long periods of watering and long periods of drought. Pay attention to drought warnings and restrictions in your area. Watering lawns is not a priority in certain situations, so be vigilant with your usage. Contact the lawn specialists at Cardinal Lawns to discuss what other watering techniques may benefit your particular lawn and garden.

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