Key Takeaways
Insightful lawn watering tips:- Optimal Temperature Range: Watering is most effective when air temperatures are between 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent evaporation and ensure water reaches the soil.
- Best Watering Times: Early morning or early evening are ideal to minimize evaporation and wind interference, with a caution against nighttime watering to avoid lawn disease.
- Watering Amount: Approximately 1 1/2 inches per week is recommended, using a tuna can method to measure and ensure the grass receives adequate moisture.
Living in Northern Nevada (Reno/Sparks) means a long, dry summer. Our grass won’t last long if we don’t take proactive measures to water it correctly during these months, when temperatures can often exceed 90 degrees.
The best temperature to water grass is when the air temperature is between 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit. When it is too hot outside, the water will evaporate before it even has a chance to reach the soil. The water may just sit on top of hard ground and never penetrate the root system.
Best Time of Day to Water Grass During Hot Weather
During the summer heat, watering the grass can be a waste of time (and money) if the water evaporates before it reaches the roots. To prevent this from happening, water the grass during the early morning hours to prevent this from happening.
Morning temperatures are cooler, and winds are calmer, giving grass roots time to absorb the water before it evaporates or blows away.
If you can’t water your grass in the morning, early evening is the next best time. However, it’s important to remember that the Reno/Sparks area can have strong afternoon winds, which may blow the water away from the places you are trying to reach.
Also, leaving the lawn damp during nighttime can promote possible disease. So be mindful of the potential hazards of watering the lawn at night.
How to Tell If Your Grass Is Getting Enough Water
To keep your lawn thriving during the hot summer months, give it about 1 1/2 inches of water per week. Adequate water will help ensure the soil stays moist and doesn't become too dry, leading to unhealthy grass growth.
You can measure the amount of water your grass is getting by emptying a tuna can and leaving it in a shady area of the lawn. Next, turn on your sprinkler system (or traditional sprinkler) and make sure the can is within the range of the spray. Then, after running the system for a set amount of time, note how high the water level is in the can.
Properly watering your lawn will leave it dense and green. However, if you’re not watering it enough, you may notice faded green patches that eventually go dormant/turn brown.
You can also recognize healthy grass by walking right on it. When you step on healthy grass, the grass will spring back up after you move your foot. If the grass stays down, your lawn needs more water.
Remember the importance of watering on the correct days of the week. Washoe County even addresses water on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Odd addresses water on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. The county asks all residents to refrain from watering on Mondays.
To help save water in the state of Nevada, remember to avoid water run-off. Run-off is created by overwatering the grass. When the grass is not able to soak in the water, the water “runs off” and is wasted. To avoid run-off, check your watering times and determine how much water your lawn needs.
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