Myth Busting: Maintaining Proper Hydration For Your Lawn

Are you aware of the distinction between watering myths and realities?

You take care of it. You provide nourishment to help it reach its maximum growth. You always walk a fine line between being too invested and not putting in enough effort to ensure it thrives.

All the lawn parents understand exactly what we mean. People who own lawns have been given numerous suggestions on how to properly water their grass. Regardless of their usefulness, there's another aspect to consider.

Fertilization, aeration, and controlling weeds are crucial for maintaining the health of a lawn. However, it is important to remember two crucial tasks for your lawn: cutting the grass and providing water. While they may appear ordinary, they can significantly affect the health of your lawn.

Having a well-thought-out watering schedule is definitely important and we're here to debunk some common watering misconceptions.

Myth: You should only water your lawn when it appears dry and brown.

Reality: If your grass does not have enough water for a period of time, it may go into a dormant phase, leading it to become brown. Although this does not indicate that your lawn has died, prolonged stress such as this can ultimately lead to the death of your roots.

Typically, when a green lawn begins to appear a faded gray or blue-green color, it is a sign that it needs to be watered. Close monitoring of your lawn's color will ensure you water it well in advance of it turning brown.

Even though setting your lawn on an automatic schedule might appear to be the most effective choice, it fails to consider the additional assistance provided by April Showers (or May, or June, and so on).

Myth: If a lawn is healthy, it will display footprints.

Reality: A lawn that is in good health is bouncy. As you walk over it, your footprints ought to vanish. In the warmer months, your lawn will lose its flexibility as it becomes dehydrated, making it difficult for it to bounce back after being walked on.

When turfgrass loses 70-75 percent of its water content, it wilts and leaves visible depression marks. Therefore, a clear sign that your lawn could be experiencing heat stress and dehydration is if your footprints linger on the grass for more than a few minutes. Water a drooping lawn generously to aid in its rebound.

Myth: The best time to water is when it's the warmest outside

Reality: Although you might observe your neighbors outside during the hot afternoons, we advise watering from 5 a.m to 10 a.m for optimal irrigation effectiveness. Watering in the morning helps water penetrate the soil and prevents it from becoming waterlogged in the hot afternoon sun, which may exacerbate heat stress.

On the other hand, watering at night could lead to more disease development because the moisture on the leaves might make certain grasses more vulnerable to fungal or bacterial diseases.

Myth: Your grass requires daily watering in hot weather.

Fact: Lawns do not need constant watering like humans do during hot weather. Actually, your lawn thrives on infrequent watering in bigger amounts. Frequent watering can cause turf diseases and shallow roots, resulting in weaker grass more susceptible to drought, pests, and other issues.

Lawns typically require roughly one inch of water per week. In order to ensure you are watering the right amount, place an empty tuna can on your lawn and let your sprinklers run until the can is full. This method of watering will promote the development of deeper roots, resulting in a more robust and healthier lawn. During warmer weather with reduced rainfall, your lawn may require additional watering more frequently, particularly if it displays signs of wilting, indicating the need for irrigation.

Discover your lawn care partner

Coming up with an irrigation schedule can be challenging. There are numerous variables to consider when determining the perfect balance of lawn care applications and watering, such as your climate, soil health, grass variety, and lawn activity. Collaborating with us and our knowledgeable team can assist in addressing any inquiries you might have about preparing your lawn for success.

We offer highly comprehensive lawn services that are personalized to meet the specific requirements of your lawn. Contact us today.