Summer Watering Guide for Warm Season Turf
Introduction
As the summer months approach, adjusting your lawn’s watering routine is crucial to ensure it stays healthy and green during hot and dry weather. Without proper watering, your lawn can quickly become stressed and damaged by the heat. Here’s an essential guide to summer watering to help you maintain a thriving lawn. Following these tips will not only keep your grass lush but also conserve water. By being mindful of your lawn’s needs, you can enjoy a beautiful outdoor space all summer long.
Section | Summary |
Introduction | Adjusting your lawn’s watering routine during summer is crucial to keep it healthy and green during hot and dry weather. |
Understanding Lawn’s Water Needs | Rainfall and weather patterns impact water requirements. Watch for signs of drying, such as cracks, wilting, or curling leaves. Aim for 2 inches of water per week. |
Quick Guide to Watering | – Watch for drying signs |
Measuring Water Needs | Use catch cans to measure water distribution and adjust watering time accordingly. |
Estimated Watering Times | Average run times vary by sprinkler type: |
Water Early in the Morning | Watering early helps water soak into soil, reach roots, and prevents quick evaporation. Ideal time: 3 AM. |
Identifying Hotspots | Look out for brown patches caused by coverage issues. This indicates uneven water distribution due to system design flaws. |
Water Conservation | Avoid over-watering, adjust irrigation based on rainfall, and use seasonal adjustments if available. |
Understand Your Lawn’s Water Needs
Rainfall and weather patterns significantly impact your lawn’s water requirements. If it rains heavily one day, you may not need to water for several days. Here are some quick tips:
Quick Guide:
- Watch for signs that your lawn is drying out
- Give your lawn 2 inches of water per week
- Figure out your average watering time
- Estimated average watering times by sprinkler type
- Water early in the morning
- Note your “hotspots”
- Conserve water
Your lawn will tell you when it needs more water.
If you see cracks in the lawn, the turf is wilting; leaves are curling or folding, which shows that the turf needs water.
You need at least 2 inches of water per week for your lawn to stay green.
Figure out your total run time to achieve 2 inches per week.
We can give you averages, but every lawn and irrigation system differs.
- Use catch cans (glass cups, coffee cans, etc.) and spread them around the zone. Run your system for 15 minutes and measure the water in the cup.
- If you get ½ inch of water in 15 minutes, you must run it 60 minutes a week to achieve 2 inches of water per week.
- Divide it between 6 days a week.
Average Run Times by Sprinkler Type.
DISCLAIMER: Please remember that the averages listed below are only estimates. Every sprinkler system is different and will vary widely, as will plant and turf watering requirements.
- Spray head 180 – an average of 1 hour for 2 inches of water – 10 min. 6 days a week
- Rotors – an average of 5 hrs for 2 inches of water – 50 min. – 6 days a week
- MP Rotors –an average of 5 hrs for 2 inches of water – 50 min. – 6 days a week
Your plants and turf will be the first to tell you if they need more water.
Water early in the morning, 3 AM
The best time to water your lawn is early morning before the sun gets too high and the wind blows too hard. This will help the water soak into the soil and reach the roots of the grass. It will also help prevent the water from evaporating too quickly.
Watering your lawn early in the morning will also help prevent the grass from getting too wet and ensure it is dry by the time we/you need to mow.
Coverage issues are a big “watch out” for homeowners trying to grow an evenly green lawn.
You can apply the correct run times and water your lawn every week, but if you have coverage issues, you will see brown patches in your lawn – we call these “hot spots.”
Coverage issues result in some areas getting ½ inch of water while others may get 1 inch of water. Our NC heat will expose EVERY weakness in your sprinkler system. When it gets hot, the areas that get ½ inch will start to brown before those that get 1 inch do. This will make brown spots appear on your usually green lawn.
Improperly designed systems can cause coverage issues, heads not spraying correctly, low-pressure problems, wrong nozzles, heads spaced too far apart, etc.
Ensure that you are not over-watering your landscape and turf.
Water conservation is critical to ensure we have water for many years. If it rains, you can reduce your irrigation for that week, depending on the amount of rain.
If your controller has seasonal adjustments, this is a great feature. Search for “seasonal adjustments” on the Internet to discover more info and learn how to use it.
Comprehensive Lawn Care Services
For more tailored advice and professional assistance, explore our comprehensive lawn care services. Whether you need lawn mowing services or a complete lawn treatment program, we offer solutions to keep your lawn in top shape.
Our fertilization services ensure your lawn gets the necessary nutrients, while our weed control services keep unwanted plants at bay. For ongoing maintenance, check out our lawn and landscape maintenance offerings.
Conclusion
We hope this guide helps you navigate the summer months with your lawn. Providing your lawn with the proper amount of water is essential for its success. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us. Together, we can help your lawn thrive all season long.
Contact Us
For further assistance or inquiries, reach out to our team. We’re here to help you achieve the perfect lawn.