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Careful. You can do more harm than good.
Most lawns in New York rarely require watering, except possibly for a few weeks in summer. Foregoing watering during these weeks does not mean that you can't still maintain a healthy turf. But it does mean careful preparation before this period of moisture stress.
If you do choose to water, it's important that you water right. Poor watering practices can do more harm to your lawn than good, and it can carry pollutants out of your yard and into surface- and groundwaters.
When? Never water at night. The best time to water is early in the morning, between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m. Evaporation is low at this time so more of the water makes it into the soil. Also, leaves will begin drying quickly in the morning sun, reducing the chances of diseases. Avoid watering on cloudy days.
How much? It's tough to say. It depends on the soil type, cutting height, use, temperature, wind and a host of other factors. But in general, a healthy lawn loses about 1 inch of water per week during summer. (The water lost from the soil through the leaves and through the surface of the soil is called evapotranspiration, or ET.)
If you receive an inch of rainfall every week through summer, chances are pretty good that your lawn should come through with little moisture stress. If you get less, you can make up the difference through sprinklers or an irrigation system. Your water application rate should supplement what you receive as rain. If you get ½ inch of rain one week, only apply another half inch.
Use a rain gauge, coffee cans or other containers to measure rainfall and supplemental water.
It's also important not to apply water faster than your soil can take it up. How fast your soil can absorb water is called its infiltration rate. When your irrigation rate is higher than the infiltration rate, puddling occurs on level areas. But on slopes, the water will run off and can carry sediments and other pollutants with it.
To avoid this, measure your soil's infiltration rate by cutting off both ends of a coffee can and inserting it several inches into the soil. Pour about 1 inch of water into the can and time how long it takes to soak in. Then measure your irrigation rate by placing a coffee can (with the bottom intact) in the area watered by your sprinkler, and time how long it takes to fill the can with 1 inch of water. Your irrigation rate should not exceed your application rate.
What about drought? It is normal for cool-season grasses to experience "summer dormancy" in response to lack of moisture. But studies show that as little as ¼ inch of water over a three week period can be enough to keep the sod from dying.
Under all but the most severe conditions, it is better to avoid lawn watering, especially if your watering system isn't precise. Too much or too little supplemental water can weaken plants, making them more susceptible to pest problems and less likely to recover when cool, moist conditions return.
What can I do to prevent water stress?
- Plant grass species that require less water, such as fescues.
- Mow grass higher, encouraging larger root systems.
- Avoid spring N fertilizer applications.
- Leave grass clippings.
© Copyright, Department of Horticulture, Cornell University.
Website design: Craig Cramer cdc25@cornell.edu
Mention of trade names and commercial products is for educational purposes; no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Cornell Cooperative Extension or Cornell University is implied. Pesticide recommendations are for informational purposes only and manufacturers' recommendations change. Read the manufacturers' instructions carefully before use. Cornell Cooperative Extension and Cornell University assumes no responsibility for the use of any pesticide or chemicals. Some of the links provided are not maintained by Cornell Cooperative Extension and Cornell University. Cornell Cooperative Extension and Cornell University are not responsible for information on these websites. They are included for information purposes only and no endorsement by Cornell Cooperative Extension or Cornell University is implied. Cornell Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.
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