“I need to know how to water my lawn. Everybody has a different answer, but I usually hear 1 inch per week. How do I tell when I need to water or when I have watered 1 inch?”
First, the easiest way to tell if you have watered 1” per spot is to measure it.
The next time you water, put a couple of flat-bottomed pans or tuna fish cans at various distances from the sprinkler. Time how long it takes to get 1”. From then on, you will know how long to water.
Most important is how to know when to water.
A general rule is that in the absence of normal rainfall, you should provide 1″ of water per week. If at all possible, this should be done in one to two waterings per week, to encourage a deep root system. However, watering requirements can vary according to sun, shade, terrain and turf type.
In the early stages of drought, the grass will turn from vibrant green to a darker bluish color before it turns brown. This is often seen better from a distance than from up close.
If you see this happening, it is time to water. Sunny and sloped areas will usually be affected first. Some shady, low-lying areas rarely need to be watered. In situations such as these, it is often best NOT to water, to avoid the incidence of disease.
The time of day watering occurs is also important.
Turfgrass diseases are caused partly by water remaining on the blades of the grass plants. If you water when there is already dew on the ground (usually about 10:00 pm to 10:00 am) you will be safe because you will not be making the blades of grass any wetter than they already are. Fortunately, this coincides precisely with watering restrictions in the Atlanta area when they are in effect.
Call Magnolia Lawn anytime to answer your watering questions and any questions you may have about your lawn.