Watering the lawn: how many minutes and days per week is adequate?

Question

I live in MA, but my grass is getting burned up in the back, not so badly in the front...if it doesn't rain for a week, how long should I water each section of lawn at a time? I water at night or early in the morning to avoid the heat of the sun wasting my efforts. Thank you

Answer 1

THE ANSWER:
In mid to late summer, watering in the early A.M - like you are doing, and everyday if there is no rain, may prevent lawns from going dormant depending on variety and hardiness. You may have to water a little bit in the late afternoon. Try to avoid watering a lot just after sundown though, to avoid attracting bugs and having mushrooms sprout. As far as how much time each day depends on your system of watering. I've found using flat hoses works the best and reduces the amount of time I have to stand out there watering. At least ten minutes in each section of lawn seems to work the best for me. It took a while to find the best amount of time each day to spend watering during dry periods.

THE DETAILS:
Over the years, I've learned that time spent watering the lawn also depends on how much rain we receive. In addition to that, early each season, it seems watering isn't as necessary as later in the summer because the ground is usually saturated from the winter snow. So, there are a lot of variables. Here are some other important things to remember:
1. watering early in the morning is probably the best time to water. It allows the lawn several hours to use and absorb the water before it evaporates. If you notice, businesses in your town, like banks, have their watering systems set to begin watering in A.M. a few hours before sunrise. There are even systems these days that monitor rainfall and are self adjusting depending on how much rain has occurred. Watering too much at night can cause mold to form - a good indicator of watering too much at night is mushrooms popping up on your lawn. Also, watering just after sundown tends to attract more bugs (mosquitos, etc...)
2.It is important to allow enough watering to soak the top few inches of top soil, up to six inches. Too often, people "sprinkle" their gardens and lawn, think it's enough and then wonder why the plants die in the summer heat. The water has to get into the soil and to the roots of plants to make a difference.
3.Don't cut the lawn so short. Some communities where a service cuts the lawns end up appearing comical because they cut the lawn so short, it looks like they're cutting dirt and send up a dust cloud behind their riding lawn mowers. Mulch (for gardens), ground cover, and taller lawns help to retain moisture, longer.
4. Use drought resistant varieties of grass. It won't matter how much you water if the lawn won't tolerate heat and dryness. In other words, it will go dormant, and brown in the summer months and may return in the cooler fall months. If your lawn does this in the summer, see if you can replant in the fall with a variety of seed that is more resistant to the elements.
5. Nutrients. All this watering leeches nutrients out and erodes the soil. Replace nutrients with a good fertilizer like Scotts, that has a four step method of fertilizing (use sparingly so it won't burn the lawn). I'll also just broadcast lime, topsoil, well composted cow manure, and / or humous, over the lawn before a good rain or I'll manually wash this new soil back into the lawn. It's really important to replace and maintain the dirt under the lawn over time so that the lawn absorbs and responds better to the water you give it.
6. Method of delivery. Businesses and those who can afford it sometimes use automated systems to make watering a lawn effortless. For the average homeowner, a few flat soaker hoses (plastic hose with tiny holes poked on one side) is great investment, because it allows a person to reduce the time they spend on watering a garden or lawn. Just place and replace a hose on the lawn, let it go for a good ten minutes or so in each location, and your done!!!

Well, I hope all this information helps.
Good luck in maintaining your "green". :)

Answer 2

The general rule for watering lawns is 1 inch of water per week. you can measure this by putting a tuna can out for a week on your lawn while watering to see if the lawn is getting an inch.

Why go through all that trouble? Start out watering your lawn once a day for 15 minutes per station.
The best time to water is in the morning before 10 a.m. Not at night or in the middle of the day.

Some professionals recommend watering 2 times a day. Once in the morning and once in the evening. If you use this method, try 10 minutes per station 2 times a day.

As the weather cools, back off on the amount of time. Once it starts raining and/or snowing stop watering entirely.

Good Luck!!!

Answer 3

It is difficult to say without getting into what kind of sprinkler and how much water it is putting out. One quick suggestion. If you water, do it heavily but less frequently. When it gets hot and you water a little, the water stays at the surface and that is where the roots will go to find the water. Then it gets hot and the sun burns the roots. You are better off watering more heavily and letting the water soak down into the soil so the roots head down into the soil and don't get burned.

I have also heard (can't remember where) that watering in the morning is better than at night as the moisture tends to grow fungi the longer it is there.

Answer 4

You'll need to start with 2 or three times a day for 10 minutes, then weekly back off to once a day for 20 minutes, then every other day for 30 minutes. You may even be able to go to every three days. You will need to evaluate it yourself along the way.

You'll get the roots started, and they'll grow deeper. As the grass grows, it will shade the ground and reduce some of the direct heat evaporation.

Answer 5

We've been in water rationing for 7 years here in West Texas. We learned we needed an inch of water on the lawn once a week at least.

Put a big bowl in your yard - turn on the sprinklers.

In my yard - that means 45 minutes before I measure an inch of water.

You may go 30 - 45 - or 50... just check the bowl every 15 minutes to get the best estimate.

...Now - I keep trying to share our recent good fortune with the folks in the deep South and y'all back east... but those clouds just keep rolling north... I'll keep praying them your way! :wink:

Peace.

Answer 6

One hour after the sun goes down every other day would be sufficient, you might also want to add a fertilizer container at mid hose so it can be distributed evenly.

Answer 7

WATER ONCE OR TWICE PER WEEK IN THE EARLY MORNING FOR AT LEAST AN HOUR OR TWO. THOROUGH , LESS FREQUENT WATERING IS BEST FOR THE ROOTS OF THE GRASS.

Answer 8

i would say once a day for about 3 or 5 minutes.