In spring, vibrant green lawns effortlessly blanket the landscape without requiring much beyond a regular mowing. But when summer arrives, and you get a long stretch of hot, dry weather, your grass transitions from a lush green carpet to one with large brownish patches. It may even be a little crispy in some places. Water is the missing ingredient. Once moisture returns, healthy green foliage usually will start growing again. If you want to keep it looking lush and green through summer, you'll likely not only need to irrigate your lawn, but to time it just right to maximize the results of your efforts.
Start Watering Early
The very best time to water turf is early morning, between 4:00 to 8:00 a.m. The combination of cooler temperatures and minimal winds allows water to soak deeply into the soil without much evaporation. Also, during this window, there's not as much demand for water on municipal systems, which can impact pressure. Watering at midday is less efficient, since evaporation is rapid and strong winds are more common. The winds may not only increase evaporation, but carry water onto driveways, patios, or streets, which quickly adds up to a whole lot of waste.
Another benefit to watering so early in the day is that turf grass blades will dry more quickly as the sun rises, reducing the chances of diseases taking hold.
Risks of watering lawn In the afternoon
Watering your grass at the wrong time of day can lead to unwanted
Water Evaporation: Watering through the hottest part of the day will lead to a high level of wasted water through evaporation. Not good from an ecological perspective and won’t satisfy your lawns thirst
Weed Invasion: Overwatering will allow weeds to thrive and out-compete your lawn
Thatch Build-up: Creates a thick impermeable layer of organic matter that restricts airflow and water penetration
Insect Pests: Grubs, Spittlebugs, Springtail thrive in moist soils, laying their eggs. These insects will feed on roots or new shoots of grass
Fungal Growth: overwatering or watering late in the evening can lead to damp grass through the night. Combined with humid conditions this is a perfect breeding ground for fungal diseases such as Gray Leaf Spot, Red Thread, and Dollar Spot
Water Deeply and Infrequently
Increase the benefit of early morning watering by delivering the water not on a schedule, but as the grass needs it. Rather than watering for 15 minutes a day, water when the lawn shows signs of drought stress. A blue-gray color and footprints remaining after your walk across the turf are both sure signs the lawn needs water.
Aim to water lawn grass deeply and infrequently to encourage deep root growth. Lawns with deep root systems are able to mine 12 inches or more into the soil to gather their own water and nutrients. Delivering one to one and a half inches of water once every seven to 10 days is usually enough for a healthy, green lawn. Keep in mind, factors like soil type, turf type, and prevailing weather conditions will greatly influence how much and how often you need to water. Look to the grass for cues.
In summary, watering your lawn at the right time of day is crucial for maintaining a healthy and beautiful lawn. By watering in the early morning, you can ensure that your lawn gets the necessary moisture for thriving growth while avoiding issues like evaporation and fungal growth. Therefore, using an ImoLaza smart irrigation controller can help you irrigate your lawn at the optimal time, allowing you to enjoy a lush green lawn throughout the summer.