It sounds like an easy question: how much should I water my
yard? Unfortunately, it’s not as easy as you might think. Many factors go into
the amount of moisture your landscaping requires, such as the type of grass,
soil condition, irrigation system, and mowing height. C4 Landscape & Design
is here to offer some instructions about keeping your landscaping at its
healthiest and most beautiful through the use of water.
Irrigation scheduleMother Nature plays a role in your irrigation schedule. You
must consider the amount of rainfall and the temperature. When daytime
temperatures are in the 70s and 80s, lawns do well with 1-1.5 inches of water
per week. As temperatures reach 88-92, increase your watering to 1-1.5 inches
every 4-5 days. When it’s over 93 degrees outside, your lawn needs water every
2-3 days.
Length of wateringThere’s a simple trick to figuring out how long it takes for
your lawn to receive an inch of water. Put an empty tuna can at the farthest
point that your sprinkler spray reaches; when the can is full, you have
provided one inch of water. It can take between 15-45 minutes depending upon
your irrigation system.
Time of dayThe best time of day to water your landscaping is early in
the morning. There’s less breeze to evaporate the moisture, water pressure is
at its best, and the lawn will be able to store water for the often warm Texas
day to come. Schedule automatic sprinklers to run between 3-8 a.m. If you don’t
have an irrigation system, start your sprinkler as soon as you get up in the
morning. Avoid watering at night because it increases the risk of fungal
diseases such as brownpatch.
Type of grassDifferent grasses require varying levels of water. St.
Augustine needs the most, Bermuda is next, and Zoysia requires significantly
less than the others.
Soil conditionYour landscaping is dependent upon the soil underneath it.
Sandy or clay soils that aren’t enriched with organic matter dry out more
quickly, so they need more water. In order to obtain rich organic soil, you’ll
need to add soil activators or enriched topsoil every year.
Mowing heightYou may be tempted to cut your grass short to avoid mowing
more often, but don’t fall victim to that trap! Set your mower height setting
to as tall as it allows. Higher grass allows the roots to deepen, which in turn
draws from deeper moisture in your soil. Also, taller grass provides shade for
the surface of the soil so that moisture dissipates less quickly.
New lawnsIf your lawn is newly sodded, you need to water it
every day especially during hot weather. The goal is to keep it wet near the
root zone to help the roots establish fully. You don’t want to drown the grass,
but make sure the soil is soft to promote good growth.
