Utilizing proper watering techniques is extremely important to maintain a healthy lawn.  Established lawns should be watered deeply, but infrequently.  Deep watering once a week encourages deeper root growth, while frequent, shallow watering produces a limited root system.

Tips For Deep Watering

• Water in the morning (limits evaporation & allows for the grass to dry befor evening)
• Water the top 3 to 4 inches of soil (this covers the root zone)
• Prefer 1 long watering a week over multiple waterings of shorter time-periods

Movable Sprinklers

When using a movable sprinkler, let the water run in one spot just until the water begins to run off the surface, then move to a different area of the lawn.

Quick Tip - If it has rained recently, determine if your lawn needs watering by sticking a screw-driver into the lawn. If it goes in easily - your lawn is still plenty moist. Skip the watering for today.

Sprinkler Systems

When using a sprinkler system, monitor each zone to be sure you are covering each part of the lawn in equal segments of time. You want to avoid over or under watering any sections of lawn. If you notice brown spots or underwater areas, consider making an adjustment to your sprinkler heads.

Spring Time

In the spring, water your lawn to keep the soil moist to a two inch depth.  You can measure this by inserting a nail into the lawn, which should puncture the soil easily, if it has been properly watered. Further, as the spring months warm up into the summer months, maintain watering your lawn on a consistent schedule, when you notice your grass starting to turn brown.

Fall Time

In the fall, especially when coming off a hot, dry summer, be sure to continue a steady watering pattern.  Many plants, including grass, continue to grow new roots in the fall, even if they have lost their leaves.  Maintain adequate soil moisture until the ground freezes.  If you are in a part of the country in which the accumulation of rain increases in the fall, you can certainly cut back the amount of watering you apply to your lawn appropriately.