How to Water your Lawn Correctly

Most homeowners water their lawns too much rather than too little. For the health of your lawn, and to conserve water, you want to try to provide the amount of water that your grass needs to thrive – no more, no less.

Grass needs about one inch of water per week. How do you know how much water you are providing? The only precise way is to measure it. You can buy a rain gauge or make a simple one from a tuna can. Mark one inch in depth on the empty can, then place it in your yard where you are going to water.

Water your lawn for 20 minutes and see how much water has accumulated in the can. This will help you adjust your watering knowing that a good general goal is one inch of water per week. This one inch may be best applied in two or more waterings rather than one – it will depend upon your soil type. With a sandy or light soil, the water will run through it more quickly rather than hold it. For this type of soil, light, more frequent waterings will be more beneficial to your lawn.

Another watering tip: Water only early in the morning. This will prevent evaporation of the water you are applying.