Successful Lawn Watering Tips and Techniques

These lawn watering tips and techniques are meant to help you grow and maintain a healthy and beautiful lawn.  After all, not all lawns are the same.  When and how often your lawn needs to be watered depends on several key factors:

  • Your species of grass
  • Your soil type
  • The climate you live in
  • Your watering methods and habits

These lawn watering techniques will work regardless of whether your purpose is  residential lawn watering or commercial lawn watering.

Your Species of Grass............

The amount of water your lawn requires varies significantly depending on the species of grass.  Not all grass types are created equal.  Some have the ability to survive in very wet soils while others have the ability to survive in very dry soils.

Grass Types that are able to Tolerate a Drought

Cool Season Grasses – Fescues and Kentucky Bluegrass

Warm Season Grasses – Buffalo Grass, Bermuda Grass and Zoysiagrass


Grass Types that Need Consistent Watering

Cool Season Grasses – Bentgrass

Warm Season Grasses – St. Augustine Grass



Grass Types that can Withstand Very Wet Soil

Cool Season Grasses – Bluegrass

Warm Season Grasses – St. Augustine Grass


To learn more about different the different grass types (cool season and warm season), go to the Grass Types Page on my web-site.

Your Soil Type............

The type of soil under your lawn impacts the amount of water your lawn requires. The soils ability to retain and drain the water is very important.

Sandy Soils - Do not retain water well.  If it doesn't rain, your lawn may have to be watered several times per week.

Clay Soils - Retains water well.  If it doesn't rain, you may or may not need to water your lawn once per week.

To learn more about the different soil types (sand, silt and clay), go to the Organic Lawn Care Tips Page on my web-site.

Your lawn watering methods............

The most important lawn watering tip is to always water deeply.  You want to reach 6 to 12 inches below the surface when watering your lawn.  When you water deeply, the roots will follow the water.  Because the roots have a larger water supply to draw from it allows you to water less frequently.  Watering shallow keeps the roots near the surface of your lawn.  In turn, you have to water more frequently because they have less of a water supply to draw from.  Watering more frequently will also potentially attract disease.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lawn watering tips wouldn't be complete without answering some frequently asked questions.

How do I know when my lawn has to be watered?

  • The grass loses it's bright green color.  In fact, it may have a grayish tint to it.
  • The grass blades begin to shrivel up or roll up in order to conserve on it's remaining moisture.
  • The grass loses it's ability to bounce back.  When you walk across your lawn, it will not spring back and will remain flat as a pancake.
  • The grass may develop dry patches.


Why is it best to water in the morning? 

  • You waste less water to evaporation.
  • The mornings are typically less windy so the water has a better chance of reaching the grass roots rather than drying up and being blown away.
  • The water has the entire day to dry up around the surface which reduces the chance of disease.

This is a very important lawn watering tip for you to practice.


What areas are most prone to drying out?

  • Shady Areas
  • Grassy areas near a tree.  The tree roots will soak up the bulk of the moisture.  Also, the tree leaves over the grassy areas block the grass from receiving the proper amount of water.



By following these lawn watering tips and techniques, you can drastically improve the chances of your grass surviving.


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