Maintaining a healthy lawn during the summer months can be challenging if you live in a warmer climate. That said, keeping your grass watered and healthy is key. It helps your grass survive and flourish while promoting root growth and resilience. However, you must water the lawn at specific times during hot summer weather to achieve the best results. In this article, we’ll detail the best times to water a lawn in the summer and how to do it.
Best Time to Water a Lawn in the Summer:
Early Morning:
Even if you’re not a morning person, waking up early to water your lawn during summer is essential. The best time to water the lawn in hot weather is between 6 and 10 am. During this time, the temperatures are generally much colder, winds are slower, and water is less likely to evaporate due to the heat. In addition, watering in the morning allows the grass to dry off throughout the day—preventing prolonged moisture on the surface that brings pests to your lawn.
Midday:
Midday might seem like a good time to water your lawn, but it’s not. The intense heat of the midday sunshine causes rapid evaporation, resulting in water wastage and inefficient absorption by the grassroots. Furthermore, wet grass blades during the hottest time of the day can increase the chances of lawn damage and diseases—two things you desperately want to avoid.
Late Afternoon or Evening:
Again, although watering in the late afternoon might feel like an excellent idea, you should probably give it a miss. The best time to water a lawn in hot weather is still the morning because extended overnight moisture may cause perfect conditions for fungal diseases to grow that destroy your lawn. Instead, stick to the morning schedule between 6 and 10 am to reduce the chances of any issues.
The Best Water Depth:
When watering your lawn during the summer months, you should ensure deep and infrequent watering rather than frequent shallow watering. Of course, that might seem counterintuitive, especially if you live in a hot climate. But, the truth is, deep watering encourages the roots to grow farther into the soil. In turn, it makes the lawn seem more drought-tolerant, so aim for around 1 inch of water per week during the summer to give the best hydration.
The Best Watering Techniques:
If you want effective watering, you must use proper irrigation techniques. Therefore, avoid overwatering because it may cause waterlogged soil and shallow root growth—even in a hot climate. Instead, you should water your lawn until the soil is moist to a depth of around 6 inches. You should also think about using sprinklers and irrigation systems that deliver water evenly around patchy areas. Also, you should apply water at a rate that enables the soil to absorb it without runoff.
How Long to Water a Lawn in the Summer:
When you’re watering the lawn during the summer, you should take into account various factors, including the soil type, grass species, and weather conditions. Here are some things to consider when finding the best time to water a lawn in hot weather:
Soil type:
If you have sandy soil, you’ll find that the water drains quickly. As such, you’ll need the water to stay on for longer. On the other hand, clay soil retains water far more effectively, so you can water for a shorter duration. All in all, observe how the soil is absorbing the water and go from there.
Grass species:
The species of grass is also highly important when determining how long to water a lawn in the summer. Some grasses are more drought-tolerant than others, but others need more frequent watering. Research your grass to determine the length of time required.
Sprinkler Effectiveness:
You should also consider the efficiency of your sprinkler system and irrigation method. For instance, you may need to water for a shorter time if you have an efficient system that distributes water evenly.
The weather conditions:
Just how hot has it been lately in your location? This can determine how long you water the grass and the best window of time to water a lawn. During highly hot and dry periods, you may need to increase the watering duration to compensate for the increased evaporation rate.
Local water laws:
It’s crucial to know your local watering laws. Some states in the United States have drought laws that limit how much water you can use during the summer, so ensure you conduct research.
In truth, there’s a lot of trial and error before you find the best watering time and figure out how long to water a lawn in the summer. However, err on the side of caution when you first start watering. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Final Thoughts:
Always ensure you find the best time to water your lawn in summer and your grass will thank you for years to come. If you stick to the morning schedule during the summer months and follow the tips in this article, you’ll maintain an incredibly healthy lawn, regardless of how hot the weather is.
If you want to keep your lawn healthy during the summer months, Arbor-Nomics could be your best friend in Atlanta, GA, and around neighboring cities. They offer professional lawn care services and lawn treatment programs. Contact Arbor-Nomics for more information on how they can assist you in achieving a vibrant and healthy lawn this summer.