Lawn irrigation is an important step when maintaining lush, green grass. However, crafting an ideal watering schedule can be trickier than it looks. If you’re new to lawn care or if your lawn looks a little unhealthy, try the following tips.

Do:

Test how much water you’re applying.

Save a few empty tuna cans or choose several straight-sided mugs. Set them in different places on your lawn at varying distances from the sprinklers. Then, run the water for half an hour.

Bring the containers in, keeping track of where they were located. Measure the depth of the water in each one to see how much moisture the sprinklers are delivering to your grass. You can use this information to decide how long the system should run. The average lawn needs 1.5 inches of water per week, including rain.

Pick the right time.

You should always water during the cooler hours of the day so that the moisture can soak into the lawn instead of evaporating in the heat. It’s recommended to water either in the early morning or in the evening.

If you choose to water in the evening, be aware that the cold, wet conditions overnight can encourage mold growth. It’s best to turn on the system in the morning as you get ready for the day.

Don’t:

Be wasteful.

If the sprinklers soak the sidewalk or patio, they’re wasting water. Turn the heads away from these areas and make sure they aren’t spraying too far. The irrigation system should be installed to cover the grass only.

Also, if the ground is too compact, water will run off instead of soaking in. Aerate the lawn yearly to avoid this issue.

Overwater.

Too much water can suffocate the lawn’s roots and lead to rot. Keep track of how much you’re watering, and don’t water after it rains.

Also, watering too frequently can lead to shallow roots that won’t survive a drought, so let the ground dry between sessions. It isn’t necessary to water the lawn more than once a day. 

 

For professional help designing and installing an efficient lawn irrigation system, call The Sprinkler Connection. Serving Monroe County and the surrounding areas for over 30 years, they provide maintenance and winterization services to ensure beautiful landscaping. To get started, call (585) 398-3960 or reach out online.