By now, you’ve likely heard a lot of rules for how to water your yard. Water only in the early mornings or evenings to prevent burning your grass. Don’t use sprinklers because more water ends up evaporating than in your soil. So on and so forth.
But how much of that is actually true? What’s fact and what’s myth?
Here’s what you need to know to keep your lawn healthy and green to beat the heat.
Water More Deeply but Less Frequently
To promote a deeper root growth for your lawn, you need to make sure your lawn receives about one to two inches of water a week. It’s better to split this into two waterings, making sure your lawn gets half or one inch twice a week, and you’ll want to make sure that the soil is moistened at least six to eight inches deep.
Why is that? Shallow roots mean that your lawn will dry out faster, and it won’t be as healthy.
You can easily measure out how much water your lawn receives by setting out a tuna can or two, and when it’s at the right level, shut off the water. Check that your soil has been wetted enough. If you can push a screwdriver down about six inches, your lawn is done.
Water in the Mornings
It’s been said that watering during the day will cause your grass to scorch because the water droplets will act like a magnifying glass and burn it. This is pretty much a myth. Watering in the day won’t burn your grass, but it won’t be effective either.
The best time to water your lawn is in the very early morning, between the hours of 6 and 10 A.M. This allows the lawn to dry out during the day and protects it from pests, mold and fungus from growing due to overly damp conditions. Early mornings are usually higher in humidity, with lower winds and less heat to quickly evaporate the water.
Another important tip is to monitor your lawn. Each yard is unique, so adjust your watering to give more or less, depending on its needs.
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