Grass Irrigation

When to Water

• It is best to water a lawn either late in the evening or early in the morning after dew has fallen, according to Clemson University Department of Horticulture. Watering a lawn that is already wet from dew will lessen its chances of developing diseases. Watering in the middle of the day when it is hot and windy wastes water, because 30 percent of it evaporates due to heat.

Methods for Watering

• Homeowners can irrigate a lawn with an in-ground sprinkler system or one of several kinds of hose-end sprinklers. While more costly, an in-ground system can be more economical in the long run as it can be programmed to water a specific part of the landscape for a set amount of time. With proper use and the right type, grass irrigation can be accomplished with a hose-end sprinkler. The different types of sprinklers available include the rotary, traveling, whirling-head, stationary and oscillating. A general rule for any method is to water deeply and less frequently rather than daily for a short time.

How Much Water

• The amount of water a lawn needs depends on a couple of factors, including the type of grass, the season and condition of the grass. It will also depend on what type of irrigation system is used to apply the water. Warm season grasses need less water than cool season grasses. The University of Minnesota Extension offers the following general guidelines for green grasses that are actively growing; perennial ryegrass, 1 1/2 inches per week; buffalograss, 1/3 inch per week; Kentucky bluegrass, 1 1/4 inch per week; Bermuda or zoysia, 1/2 inch per week and tall fescue, 3/4 inch per week.

Considerations

• During the summer, local water authorities in some cities and states set mandates for water usage. Such rules help conserve the amount of water used, because most homeowners irrigate too often or too long, resulting in wasted water, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Services.