Key Takeaways
Optimal lawn watering techniques:- Watering Timing: Watering early in the morning reduces evaporation and fungal growth.
- Frequency and Depth: Less frequent, deep watering encourages deeper root growth and drought resistance.
- Adapting to Weather: Adjust watering based on rainfall and temperature to prevent overwatering or drought stress.
If you live in Reno, Nevada (or any other semiarid climate location), you know how hot and dry the summer months are. Some families choose stone and gravel landscaping due to the extremely dry temperatures, and others want the look and feel of a traditional grass lawn.
This brings us to the question: how often should you water the lawn during the summer? There are a few factors to consider when deciding how often and how much to water your lawn.
What Type of Grass Do You Have?
Knowing what type of grass you have to begin with is essential. If you are just starting to plant new grass seed, you will want to research to determine what type of grass will thrive. Cool-season grasses are typically found in Northern Nevada, including Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue. Cool-season grasses have adapted to thrive in areas with extreme seasonal temperature changes (cold winters, hot summers).
Time of Day
Living in a dry climate means that water restrictions may be put into place for when you can and cannot water your lawn. Your local water utility company can provide you with your assigned water days.
When it’s time to water, doing so during the cool summer mornings means that more of the water will reach the roots before evaporating. Then, as the sun comes out and the air warms up, the newly watered grass will slowly dry out over the course of the day.
If you only water your lawn during the afternoon's peak, then a lot of that water will evaporate immediately and never actually reach the root system of the lawn.
If you cannot water in the mornings, early evening is the next best time. Remember, in Reno/Sparks, we can have strong afternoon winds, which may blow the water away from the areas you are trying to reach. So check weather conditions before turning on those sprinklers. Additionally, leaving the lawn damp during the nighttime hours can promote possible disease. Be mindful of the potential hazards of watering the lawn at night.
How Much and How Often?
A general rule of thumb is to water your lawn one inch of water per week. You can use a rain gauge to measure an inch of water or grab a can and place it in the yard. Be sure to place the rain gauge (or can) in a shaded part of the yard so that the water does not evaporate in the sun.
An early sign of stress to the lawn is noticing the grass turning from rich green color to more of a dark and dull green before it starts to lighten up and go dormant/brown. Additionally, if you notice that you do not need to mow the lawn as often as previously, there could be a problem with how much water it receives.
These are signs that you may need to water your grass for more extended periods or check to ensure that your sprinklers are reaching all lawn areas.
What Type of Sprinkler Should You Use?
The best sprinkler system is a programmable irrigation system. This allows you to set the days of the week, times of day, and length you want to water your lawn. An irrigation system provides you with the best coverage and ensures even watering. In addition, you can ensure your lawn is watered when you leave for vacation.
If you don’t have an irrigation system, your best choice for an established rectangular lawn is an oscillating sprinkler. This will give you even coverage for a large area.
If your lawn has lots of objects around it (sheds, a pool, decks, etc.), you will want to use an impact sprinkler. These sprinklers go around in a circle, spraying a continuous stream of water. You can set up impact sprinklers in different places around your yard to hit the grassy areas without soaking others areas of your yard.
The Best Lawn Care Service In Reno & Sparks
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