Watering Your Lawn

Many homes require a good lawn to maintain the appearance of the house as a whole. While watering your lawn may appear to be an easy process, there are many factors to consider in completing the task. Much of the process depends on your climate and the current weather conditions in your area. There is no method that is set in stone, but rather a set of strategies based on the location and the time of day.

Strategies

The most effective method for watering your lawn would be to use a sprinkler. Make sure that the sprinklers you are using contacts the largest amount of space possible, and avoid getting water on the street. This will save you a lot of water, but it will also prevent runoff from getting onto the sidewalk. There are three types of sprinklers that you can use to water your lawn:

• The soaker hose is a good way to soak the ground while sparing the leaves. It may look like your conventional garden hose, but the water is in fact released in holes along the side. This is good if you want to save water; not only will less water evaporate, but it will spread more evenly in your garden.
• If your garden is relatively small and square in shape, it is recommended that you use a fan sprinkler. Most come with settings to make it go at different speeds in different directions.
• Rain bird sprinklers are another option. Used on golf courses, in parks and in large backyards, these tend to work well in larger backyards. By spraying quickly in a circle, they cover a lot of ground and can spray water a fairly fast pace.

Remember that it is more important to water deeply as opposed to widely. This will allow for the underground root zone to grow deeper and to fortify itself. To check how deep you need the water to go, dig a hole and measure the bottom of the root. Especially in the most troubled parts of the lawn, water should be going at least 12 inches into the ground.

Key Information

One common mistake made by beginners is overwatering. It is good to save water in the name of conservation, but over-watering will cause the spread of fungus and disease. If the grass actually needs to be replenished, it will turn a blue-gray colour and begin to wilt. The easiest way to alleviate this is to let nature run its course and water only when it does not rain.

A common mistake that homeowners make is they do not plan for the long-term. To ensure that your grass will return year after year in full year, purchase a perennial specimen like bluegrass or red-fescue grass. Depending on the area, it is advisable to prepare the lawn with a moist base with a layer or peat moss.

Regardless of whether you are a morning person or not, watering early in the day will be more beneficial for your lawn. On hot days in particular, the water will evaporate before hitting the ground. In the morning, it is more likely to be cooler and less windy, too.

Essential Tools

An effective cost-saving alternative to using your own water is to use a rain barrel. Receptacles like the ones sold on Rain Barrel USA can hold up to 80 gallons of water from storm drains and eavestroughs, and they even come with a pressurized faucet to attach your hose or sprinkler.

Another effective tool to use is a sharp-blade lawn mower. An overlooked factor in lawn growth is the ability for grass to take in sunlight when they are unevenly growing, and sharp blades can level the grass, providing it with more room for sunlight. Be sure to consult an employee at your local home improvement store for lawnmower recommendations, as a good choice will not only last longer, but will save you time and money.