We are often asked about watering lawns. “How much should I water? How often should I water?” And of course, “Does my type of grass need more water than my neighbor’s yard?” Those simple questions are actually important to ask your professional lawn care service about. In North Texas it’s best to follow specific watering guidelines, since our needs differ from those in other parts of the country due to types of grass, temperature, longer growing seasons and many other factors.
Five Tips for Watering Your Lawn in North Texas
If you’re new to lawn care or need a refresher on watering best practices for North Texas, you’ve come to the right place. In this article we’ll share five tips to help you keep your lawn healthy and green, even during the hot and dry summer months.
1. How Often to Water
Most types of North Texas grasses only need watering about one inch a week, and it doesn’t matter much if you do it all at once, or one-half inch twice per week. When it’s above 95 degrees Fahrenheit each day, it may need to increase to 2 inches per week. If it rains that week you may catch a break from your watering schedule.
Note that the various grasses can each require a different amount of water to thrive. For example, Bermuda and Zoysia grasses require about half as much water as St. Augustine. When it’s mid-summer and consistently goes past 95 degrees each day, use more water regardless of the type of grass. Also, if you mow your lawn, raise the mower deck so that your grass can shade itself somewhat and help protect its roots.
2. Measure Sprinkler Output
Measuring how much water your lawn gets can be difficult, but using a watering yardstick can help ensure you apply the right amount. One easy option is to use a six-ounce tuna can as your yardstick. Place the empty can in your yard near your sprinkler and water as usual. Keep an eye on how long it takes to fill the can. When the can is full, it indicates you have watered that spot to approximately 1 inch deep. By measuring how long it takes to fill the can, you can adjust your watering schedule to make sure your lawn gets the right amount of water.
And remember, proper watering techniques combined with fertilization and weed control services from Green Top Lawn Care can help your lawn stay healthy and green year-round.
3. Overwatering and Runoff
While it may seem counterintuitive, giving your lawn more water (i.e., overwatering) can actually harm it. Watering too heavily and too quickly can lead to runoff, essentially wasting water and washing away your lawn’s nutrients, fertilizer and pesticides. This can cause various lawn problems and make your lawn susceptible to pests and disease. In addition, overwatering can dilute the nutrients in your soil, making it more difficult for your lawn to absorb them. To prevent overwatering, follow a consistent watering schedule and monitor the weather.
4. Best Time to Water
Watering your lawn at the right time is crucial to maintaining its health and beauty. In North Texas, the best time to water your lawn is in the morning, ideally before 10:00 AM. This allows the grass to absorb the water it needs before the sun is high in the sky, and helps prevent water from evaporating quickly.
Mid-afternoon watering, when the sun is at its strongest, can cause up to 30% of your water to evaporate before it reaches the roots of your grass. And while it would seem to make sense, late-night watering is also not recommended, as it can leave your lawn damp for extended periods, making it more susceptible to diseases like fungus. So to keep your lawn looking its best, water it in the morning before the day’s heat sets in.
5. When Grass Needs Water
Periodically inspect your grass for wilting or discoloration. According to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), when you first spot these signs of stress you have 24–48 hours to fix the problem before serious damage occurs.
The two most important keys to efficient water usage are consistency and thoroughness. Underwatering results in a brown lifeless lawn, while overwatering creates weak root systems and leads to a weak lawn. In short, proper watering doesn’t require a lot of overthinking or overanalyzing.
Support Healthy Grass With Proper Lawn Care
Consistently following simple guidelines will give you a positive result. These lawn watering tips should help you keep your yard at the optimal water level to keep it healthy and thriving. Pair good watering with lawn fertilization services to help your grass grow stronger and stay healthier throughout the year.
Get More Lawn Care Support From Green Top Lawn Care
By following these tips you can ensure your lawn stays healthy and green. And when you want to take your lawn care to the next level, consider the professional fertilization and weed control services from Green Top Lawn Care. Using our expertise and customized treatment formulations, we can help your lawn reach its full potential. Contact us today at (817) 684-4044 to learn more and get a free, no-obligation quote.
