Watering your lawn

All lawns are different which means when one lawn does not need watering another may need watering.  Your site and its exposure to sun and wind and shade as well as the soil type and type of grass you are using will all make a difference to the watering needs of the lawn.

If the lawn starts to go brown and the soil underneath it is dry and dusty its a sure sign it is starting to suffer from drought stress.  Start watering in good time as it is better to keep the lawn green rather than trying to get it green again after it has started to dry out and go brown.

Should I water or not?

This really depends on your assessment of the cost of watering and your feelings and thoughts on water useage.  However many people do and it can only be said it makes a big difference to the lawn in dry periods.

How much water should I give the lawn?

It is better to give the lawn a thorough soaking to rehydrate the soil.  The water needs to penetrate about 3-4 inches (75-100mm) to ensure the roots get a supply.  Water at most twice a week but give the lawn no less than 10mm each time and then check how far the water has gone down with a spade.  Put a flat bottomed glass next to your sprinkler to ensure you know how much water you have applied.  If you water the lawn too lightly and little and often you will be doing more harm than good as it encourages shallow rooting.

What is the best time of day to water?

Our preference is early morning or late evening so that the water can penetrate the soil and it reduces the amount of evaporation.