Does Night Watering Hurt Your Grass?

Night Watering

• Night watering your lawn refers to the practice of watering your grass after the sun has gone down. Popular in dry climates, it is easiest to accomplish with a watering system that can be programmed to turn on and shut off and specific times. Night watering is a debated practice because it has been blamed for causing diseases in turf grass. The dangers and benefit of night watering depend on your climate and how you water your lawn.

Dangers

• Night watering can make your grass vulnerable to fungal diseases like powdery mildew, depending on the health of your grass and how you water it. Thin grass that isn't properly fertilized is already at risk for infection. If you water your grass with overhead sprinkling that coats grass blades with water, the moisture will linger longer in cool night air. That increased time being wet opens the door to mold growing on your lawn because it creates a favorable environment.

Benefits

• Night watering is used in dry climates because less water evaporates off the lawn in moonlight compared to sunlight. This reduces water waste and can cut down your water bill. Because the climate is dry, the grass does not spend as much time wet as in more humid areas. Watering at night also reduces the chances that children or dogs will track moisture from the grass back into your home, making keeping your home clean easier on you.

Considerations

• If you want to try night watering but are worried about fungal infection, try changing your irrigation to drip or deep watering. By watering the soil deeply and less often, you avoid the risks associated with keeping the grass wet for hours at a time. Some grasses are more at risk for fungal problems than others. If you have Kentucky bluegrass on your lawn, monitor it carefully for the first few weeks after you begin to water at night.