How often should I water my lawn with a sprinkler system. For the same reason, the evening is the worst time to water the lawn. Even if your mowing, watering and fertilizing are working in perfect harmony, there are other things that could prevent your lawn from being bright and green. Ex) or imidacloprid (Bayer Advanced Season Long Grub Control). of the leaf tissue at any one time (p. 3) Mow if necessary to prevent winter annual weeds from flowering (p. 6) Irrigation Turn off irrigation during winter months when temperatures are cool and the lawn is not actively growing (dormant) (p. 4) Conduct an irrigation audit before turning on irrigation during the spring and summer (p. 4) If you are certain that you’re watering your grass the right amount, but your lawn is still not looking its best, your problem could be the time of day you’re watering or how often you set your sprinklers to run. At that time, the air is usually still, which prevents the wind from blowing the water into certain patterns. As soon as the temps begin to drop, you certainly notice. Adjust your watering schedule from the spring months to increase the amount of moisture delivered to your turf, based on the rainfall in your area and the condition of your grass. Adjust the time frame to the time the sun rises to ensure watering habits are … September 15-October 15 Fertilize bermudagrass, St. Augustine, Zoysia, and Buffalograss with a 3-1-2 or 4-1-2 ratio fertilizer at the rate of 1 pound of actual nitrogen per 1000 sq. To figure out how long you should set your sprinkler to achieve a 6-inch depth, arrange five open-top shallow cans (like those used for tuna or cat food) randomly spaced within the area covered by the sprinkler, the Texas Water Development Board. In addition, taller grass blades mean more shade, which discourages the growth of weeds, which compete with your turf for valuable moisture and food. Many Texas towns have water restrictions in place which restrict watering to only a few times a week. Apply water to your landscape so that moisture goes all the way down into your grass’s root systems, which is usually around 6 inches deep. Twice-a-week watering will replenish moisture if the soil is shallower than 6 inches. If the lawn appears vigorous and healthy at that time, delay the first application until May. Other ways to prevent the build-up is by maintaining the pH level of your soil and aerating your lawn when necessary, which are two services that your lawn care professional can help you with. Keep reading for more tips on how you can keep your grass looking great throughout the summer. Get easy-to-understand, actionable yard tips that will give you the greenest grass on the block. When you water your grass you want to do so when temperatures are below 80 0 so watering during the early morning hours allows you to apply the water during the coolest hours of the morning. Grass will need less water when in humid, cool and less windy conditions. You don’t have to worry that the water will sit on the grass and cause mold or mildew, because the heat will evaporate the water quickly, even at night. These products usually also help with chinch bugs. Measure the depth of water in each can, and determine the average depth by adding the total from each can and dividing that number by five (the number of cans). Allow leaf clippings to remain on the lawn to help your landscape retain moisture. This technique helps plants grow longer, tougher roots that will allow them to access water throughout the summer even as temperatures rise. As we have discussed previously, the early morning is the best time to water your yard. You can mow warm-season grasses—St. The best time to water lawns is in the early morning between 4 AM and 9 AM. . In Fort Worth alone, outdoor watering accounted for an average 37 percent of all water used by single-family households from 2004 to 2011. Best Time To Water Grass In Texas: Other Considerations As we have discussed previously, the early morning is the best time to water your yard. Most grass types need just an inch of water per week, according to … In addition, watering at night can make your grass more susceptible to pest damage and disease. Augustine, Zoysia, Bermuda grass and Buffalo grass—to between two and three inches tall during the hottest times of the year. If you did not apply a pre-emergent herbicide during the spring, you may need to use a weed control product as grass or broadleaf weeds appear in your yard. The temperature outdoors should be still pretty low. While it may seem like you can head out to water your lawn anytime during the day, your lawn actually needs more specific care. If your lawn is significantly more of a hassle than you can handle, you can talk to a professional about which Zoysia grass type is best for your lawn or what other design elements can be added to make your lawn better able to withstand the demands of the summer months. Here in Texas, Zoysia grass is a species that requires very little maintenance. In some lawns, that first 15 minutes may be enough. These are warm humid areas and warm arid areas. Cooler regions with higher rainfall will obviously not need as much lawn watering. You’ll want to make sure you remove soil and not create holes on your lawn which create more compacted spots. Why? As soon as the grass begins to turn green again from winter dormancy its time to up your water regimen to two times a week and start a regular mowing schedule. Every lawn is different, and sometimes it takes a professional’s help to keep your grass looking its best during the hot Texas summer. So, when is the best time to water lawns? In the absence of soil test information, apply a fertilizer with a 3-1-2 or 2-1-1 ratio at a rate equivalent to 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. As with any time of year, avoid mowing more than a third of the grass blade at a time. Insert a spade or probe into the soil to measure the depth to the dry area, the water board says. Check out our Fort Worth lawn care page. Grubs may become a bigger problem in the middle of the summer, so you may need to apply an insecticide to affected areas during this time if you notice damage or pest activity. Set the sprinkler for 30 minutes. It’s usually warm in Texas well into September and October. This usually translates into one to two inches of watering once or twice a week. Cooler temperatures and calm breezes help keep evaporation to a … Water pressure tends to be good, moisture is applied more evenly to your plants and grass and there is less evaporation when compared to the middle of the day. Experienced technicians have a deep understanding of local conditions, water requirements, grass types, soil quality and other conditions that can make it harder to keep your landscape healthy during the often unforgiving Texas summers. This trick will save you on your water bill. Less and sometimes no water during Winter, once and sometimes twice a week during Fall or Spring, and 2 to 3 times per week during Summer for most lawns in most yards, and on lawns which have not been trained to be naturally drought tolerant. Know the Rules. So how is a Texan supposed to keep their lawn water properly? Watering in the cool morning will reduce the amount of evaporation that occurs while you’re watering, so your grass can soak up more water in less time. You’ll need to water newer, less established grass and plants more frequently. © Copyright 2020 ABC Home & Commercial Services All Rights Reserved. ft. of lawn area. After you have aerated high-traffic areas, top dress your grass with compost and water it so that air flow is maintained and the soil quality enhanced. You’ll be able to feel how far down the water has penetrated and gauge how long you need. A great resource for homeowners is the Water My Yard online tool, which uses real-time data gathered across Texas to help inform your sprinkler runtimes. The amount of fertilizer you will need is going to vary, depending on the level of maintenance you want to put in. Established, well-nourished grass can go 5 to 8 days between watering sessions—and sometimes, even longer. Many homeowners outsource lawn care to a trusted local provider. If there’s at least 6 inches of soil, watering once a week is enough to maintain your lawn, according to a. from the National Wildlife Federation and the Sierra Club. Use a mulching mower so that your grass clippings remain on your lawn, adding important nutrients. Don’t think about forsaking your … There may be some areas you can add shade to bring high-maintenance grass some relief. Growing grass in warm humid areas is not as complicated. You can generalize, but the best way to know for sure is to turn on the water for your regularly scheduled watering, grab a shovel and dig up the topsoil after about 15 minutes. In most parts of Texas, scorching temperatures and infrequent rainfall mean that your lawn can quickly become parched and dry. Now that you know more about how to water and mow during the summer, let’s discuss a lawn maintenance schedule for this time of year. As we have already mentioned, raise your mower height to avoid putting an added stress on your lawn. Frisco has been making irrigation recommendations for three years based on a system tested by the Texas … Sharpen your mower blades once a month in advance of the growing season. Morning, around 2 to 8 a.m., is the best time to water. Measure the depth of water in each can, and determine the average depth by adding the total from each can and dividing that number by five (the number of cans). If there’s at least 6 inches of soil, watering once a week is enough to maintain your lawn, according to a report from the National Wildlife Federation and the Sierra Club. Here are the key areas to focus on during this time of year. Just because you’re breaking out the jackets and boots doesn’t mean it’s time to stop watering your lawn. Summer trips the dry area, the evening is the worst time to dry before nightfall to disease. Use design to “cheat” your way into a great lawn starting to about! 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