Question: If I want lush green grass how much should I water it?
Good question. Sounds innocent enough too, doesn't it? But it's one with many nuances in the answer. Which is why someone who understands grass would answer "It all depends." Here's why.
Typically an inch a week is the off the top the head response to this query. But like many rules of thumb that start out as guidelines they all too soon become more rules to live by that you deviate from at your own peril.
But how often you need to water and how much depends on a variety of factors. So one can't simply mutter a rule of thumb and feel that covers it. Because it doesn't.
For instance how often to water depends on how often it rains. Obvious I know. But I had to say it.
A related point is it's best to water only when you have to. Is your grass looking rather limp? Stressed? Are your foot steps clearly seen> All suggest your grass isn't springing back like it should. If so it's not a stretch to say you should be watering.
How often to water also depends on the grass you've got. Some varieties require more others need less - water.
Then too what setting your mower is set to plays a role. The longer the grass the less often you'll likely need to water and still have a decent looking lawn. Then too leaving the clippings is a good way to recycle moisture back into your lawn.
What's the state of your lawns root system? Hopefully it's deep into the soil. If not, deep watering will encourage that. As opposed to just a light watering which encourages shallow root growth that is scorched off during a prolonged dry period. Yet over watering is no more beneficial. As water soaking beyond the root zone doesn't help your grass much if at all.
Grass Truth: The height of the blade affects how deep the roots are. You will find the longer the blades the farther down into the soil the roots will be found.
It's also wise to let the top of your root zone to dry out. Doing so helps keep diseases at bay, weed seeds from germinating, and causes shallow rooted weeds to die off.
Another factor is how much sun the grass gets. The more sun the faster is it likely to dry out.
Finally you don't want to put the water down at such a rate that it runs off. Kinda defeats the purpose don't you think.
See? There is more to watering your grass than the old inch a week rule of thumb alone. Those that realize that soon realize a lusher looking lawn as well. - 30234
Good question. Sounds innocent enough too, doesn't it? But it's one with many nuances in the answer. Which is why someone who understands grass would answer "It all depends." Here's why.
Typically an inch a week is the off the top the head response to this query. But like many rules of thumb that start out as guidelines they all too soon become more rules to live by that you deviate from at your own peril.
But how often you need to water and how much depends on a variety of factors. So one can't simply mutter a rule of thumb and feel that covers it. Because it doesn't.
For instance how often to water depends on how often it rains. Obvious I know. But I had to say it.
A related point is it's best to water only when you have to. Is your grass looking rather limp? Stressed? Are your foot steps clearly seen> All suggest your grass isn't springing back like it should. If so it's not a stretch to say you should be watering.
How often to water also depends on the grass you've got. Some varieties require more others need less - water.
Then too what setting your mower is set to plays a role. The longer the grass the less often you'll likely need to water and still have a decent looking lawn. Then too leaving the clippings is a good way to recycle moisture back into your lawn.
What's the state of your lawns root system? Hopefully it's deep into the soil. If not, deep watering will encourage that. As opposed to just a light watering which encourages shallow root growth that is scorched off during a prolonged dry period. Yet over watering is no more beneficial. As water soaking beyond the root zone doesn't help your grass much if at all.
Grass Truth: The height of the blade affects how deep the roots are. You will find the longer the blades the farther down into the soil the roots will be found.
It's also wise to let the top of your root zone to dry out. Doing so helps keep diseases at bay, weed seeds from germinating, and causes shallow rooted weeds to die off.
Another factor is how much sun the grass gets. The more sun the faster is it likely to dry out.
Finally you don't want to put the water down at such a rate that it runs off. Kinda defeats the purpose don't you think.
See? There is more to watering your grass than the old inch a week rule of thumb alone. Those that realize that soon realize a lusher looking lawn as well. - 30234
About the Author:
Featured Author Dewey "Jeep" Capasso is a lawn care fanatic. He enjoys sharing what he knows about such things as the best riding lawn mowers to zero turn mower reviews. All to help you achieve the best looking lawn on the block.
