How To Water Your Grass
There are many factors that go into maintaining a verdant green and healthy lawn. One of the most important is making sure that it has enough moisture to make the most out of the available nutrients in your turf. Yet knowing just how much water your lawn needs to grow can be a little bit challenging. You might be surprised to hear that there are several factors that go into how much water your grass needs throughout the season, and possibly even during a given week.
For some homeowners, the knee-jerk instinct is to simply pour the water on, with the basic assumption that more water equals more growth. This is especially tempting if you don’t have an irrigation system and you are going to be out of town on business or vacation. On the other end of the spectrum, there are some homeowners who simply trust the rain to handle their lawn’s moisture needs.
Unfortunately, both of these extremes can have a disastrous impact on the health of your grass. Not to mention they can potentially leave your turf vulnerable to common lawn pests as well as damaging diseases. Addressing these issues can be costly, while still leaving you with ugly patches as your lawn slowly heals.
How Much Water Does Grass Need?
Throughout the course of an average growing season, the grass in your lawn will typically need around an inch of water per week. This level of moisture will help your lawn keeps its vibrant green color while still growing at a reasonable rate. It’s also not so overly wet that the turf becomes vulnerable to things like fungus.
As the summer heat starts to rise it can impact the moisture content of your turf. This starts in the upper levels where the majority of your grass’ roots are. The intense sun can rapidly dry out your turf robbing grass of the moisture it needs to grow. This, in turn, could trigger slow growth and even dead spots.
Yet an overly wet summer mixed with a period of sun and heat can boost grass growth to phenomenal rates that can sometimes make it hard to keep up with.
Does Soil Affect How Fast Grass Grows?
Your turf represents the upper layer of your lawn. It’s the place where grass sets it roots to absorb moisture and the key nutrients needed for growth. The turf also relies on a certain level of aeration to transport nutrients, and avoid soil-borne diseases.
The subsoil below the turf can have its own characteristics. Especially if your lawn was originally laid down as sod.
If the subsoil is extremely sandy, any moisture that makes it beyond the deepest layers of the turf will simply run off and no longer be available to the roots of the grass. If the subsoil is heavy with clay, it might retain an excessive amount of moisture, especially during times of frequent rain.
This can in-turn saturate the turf robbing the roots of the necessary aeration. In time, it could even start to compact the turf leading to long-term aeration problems. This can be an even bigger issue if your regular lawn mowing sessions have left a lot of undecomposed thatch. Turf in this condition may need professional aeration to bring it back to life.
Creating An Effective Lawn Watering Strategy
Let’s say you’ve done your homework and you know that your underlying subsoil isn’t overly sandy or too rich with clay. You might also have taken the wise step to invest in a mulching or bagging mower. Though even if you haven’t, consistent mowing with a side discharge lawnmower will keep thatch issues under control.
This allows you to turn your focus on developing an effective watering and mowing strategy that you can flex as needed throughout the growing season.
Your Lawn’s Watering Needs In Spring And Early Summer
Spring and early summer tend to be wet times of the year for people living in places that receive a fair amount of winter snow. The melt and natural presence of cliché “Spring Showers” are usually enough to bring your grass out of its dormancy. You might even notice a time where a hearty rain shower is followed by some sunny days then your lawn suddenly springs to life!
The trick during this early part of the season is to keep an eye on the grass. When you start noticing things like brown tips on cut blades of grass, dry spots, or areas where high foot traffic has been making a noticeable impact, it’s time to start actively watering.
What Time Of Day Is Best For Watering Grass?
Early morning is often the best time to water the grass. This lets the moisture soak down into the layers of the turf before the heat of the sun has a chance to evaporate it away. If you choose to water your lawn in the evening hours, it might remain overly wet throughout the night. During the summer this could be very inviting for damaging lawn fungus and other common turf diseases.
Does Grass Length Affect Lawn Moisture?
During times of the season when moisture, sun, and warmth are in bountiful supply grass that is supported by healthy turf will grow vigorously. During this time of year, you will need to take a proactive approach to mowing your lawn. If your lawnmower has an adjustable deck height, you might want to dial it down low to keep the grass trimmed, or else it could get away from you.
On the other end of the spectrum, if the local conditions have been overly dry, you might want to leave the grass a little on the long side. You don’t have to stop mowing altogether, but you might want to adjust your lawnmower’s cutting deck to a higher setting around three inches or so. This will help to shade the turf during the heat of the day for improved moisture retention.
Can I Water With A Sprinkler?
Ideally, an irrigation system with automated controls and sophisticated rain sensors will give you the best results. However, these things cost a lot of money. Especially if you have a yard that’s more than half an acre.
A garden hose with a sprayer attached to the end might be sufficient for a very small urban yard. Still, anything more than a tenth of an acre and you are going to probably find yourself thinking of better things you could be doing with your time.
Landing in the middle gray area is the humble home sprinkler. There are many different options on the market to consider. Some are far more effective than the old-fashioned rainbow sprinkler your parents let you run through when you were a kid.
The goal is to choose a unit or a layout of sprinklers that will maximize coverage of your lawn. If the circle or arc of water they release misses a portion of your turf that grass will be vulnerable to stress, especially in the peak of summer.
This might be a sprinkler that uses water pressure to propel it along a predetermined path, a sprinkler head, or even a small sprinkler with an easy to move base that you adjust as needed.
Best Individual Sprinklers For A Garden Hose
Nelson Traveling Sprinkler RainTrain 13,500 Square feet Yellow 818653-1001
- Cast-iron body with chip resistant, powder-coat paint
- Coverage up to 13,500 square feet
- Travels up to 200 feet
- Adjustable aluminum spray arms provide coverage range from 15 feet to 55 feet in diameter
- Automatic shut-off
- Cast-iron body with chip resistant, powder-coat paint
- Coverage up to 13,500 square feet
- Travels up to 200 feet
- Adjustable aluminum spray arms provide coverage range from 15 feet to 55 feet in diameter
- Automatic shut-off
GARDENA ZoomMaxx Oscillating Sprinkler on Weighted Sled Base
- Even watering: The rubber nozzles of the oscillating sprinkler continuously ensure even and precise watering on areas between 96 sq ft and 2400 sq ft while preventing puddles or dry patches forming
- Versatile: With 3 different adjustment options, alter the watering range using the built in sliders and modify water flow using the flow controller, helpful when watering vegetable or flower patches
- Even watering: The rubber nozzles of the oscillating sprinkler continuously ensure even and precise watering on areas between 96 sq ft and 2400 sq ft while preventing puddles or dry patches forming
- Versatile: With 3 different adjustment options, alter the watering range using the built in sliders and modify water flow using the flow controller, helpful when watering vegetable or flower patches
- Super durable: While the high quality, German made materials protect the sprinkler from damage, the sturdy weighted circular base and sealed turbo gear provides precise and reliable watering
- Easy to clean: The sprinkler has a removable, rust-free cylindrical filter that prevents dirt from entering the sprinkler and any dirt or lime deposits can be easily cleaned via a tap or your finger
- Items delivered: 1x GARDENA ZoomMaxx Oscillating Sprinkler, made in Germany with 2400 sq ft max area coverage, 10 ft - 60 ft range of spray, 40 ft max width, with 1x GARDENA quick connect fitting
Melnor 65031-AMZ MiniMax Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler on Step Spike with QuickConnect Product...
- Coverage up to 3, 900 sq. Ft. Great for watering the lawn, newly seeded areas, or a large garden
- Four-way adjustment for Precision watering right where it’s needed. Material-Metal, Plastic
- Zoom control adjusts the overall watering area. Zoom in for a small patch of newly seeded lawn or all the way out to cover a large section of the yard
- Coverage up to 3, 900 sq. Ft. Great for watering the lawn, newly seeded areas, or a large garden
- Four-way adjustment for Precision watering right where it’s needed. Material-Metal, Plastic
- Zoom control adjusts the overall watering area. Zoom in for a small patch of newly seeded lawn or all the way out to cover a large section of the yard
- Quickly connect and disconnect the sprinkler with an included Quick Connect Product Adapter (Require Quick Connect Product End Connector sold separately)
- Backed by a Melnor Limited Lifetime . We stand behind our products.
- For better usage: “snap” the top cover down completely until it touches the body of the sprinkler all the way around
Melnor Impact Lawn Sprinkler, Metal Head & Metal Sled, Adjustable Angle and...
- Easy to adjust coverage angle from 20° to 360° or partial to full circle watering
- Adjustable deflector flap adjusts spray distance from 40 to 85 diameters
- Diffuser pin customizes spray from gentle mist to powerful jet
- Easy to adjust coverage angle from 20° to 360° or partial to full circle watering
- Adjustable deflector flap adjusts spray distance from 40 to 85 diameters
- Diffuser pin customizes spray from gentle mist to powerful jet
- Built of durable, non-corrosive, all-metal parts for last season after season
- Backed by a Melnor 7-Year Limited Warranty. Melnor stands behind its products. Need additional information or assistance? Leave a question/feedback below. We value your experience with us.
A5013D 2-PC Brass Impact Tripod Sprinkler with Heavy Duty Brass Impact Sprinkler...
- Heavy duty solid brass impact sprinkler head for unsurpassed durability and reliability over Zinc or Plastic impact heads
- Brass impact sprinkler adjustable from 0 to 360 degree
- Large tripod adjustable from 25" to 48" for maximum coverage
- Heavy duty solid brass impact sprinkler head for unsurpassed durability and reliability over Zinc or Plastic impact heads
- Brass impact sprinkler adjustable from 0 to 360 degree
- Large tripod adjustable from 25" to 48" for maximum coverage
- Premium surface treatment tailored to appeal
- 2-PC Value pack for greater value
Best Multi-Sprinklers For Full Lawn Coverage
If you have a larger lawn then a single sprinkler probably isn’t going to get the job done. Even if you can get by with a single movable sprinkler, chances are you have better things to do with your Tuesday evening than lugging hoses and trying to remember the high school geometry needed to fit circles into a square.
Beyond having an expensive professional irrigation system installed, the ideal solution for this scenario is to use multiple sprinkler heads in a set position. Then divert the single hose line into multiple hoses. Each feeding water to the sprinklers.
Just bear in mind that most household garden hoses lack the pressure to adequately feed more than one sprinkler head at a time. You essentially set up your sprinkler heads in their set positions at the start of the summer and connect each to a diverted. When the turf surrounding one sprinkler reaches the desired level of saturation, you simply flip a switch to send full pressure to the next sprinkler head.
Melnor 65054-AMZ Pulsating Sprinkler on Metal Spike with QuickConnect Product Adapter Set,...
- Waters up to 85' Diameter
- Allows unit-to-unit connections
- Metal spike
- Quickly connect and disconnect the sprinkler with an included Quick Connect Product Adapter (Require Quick Connect Product End Connector sold separately)
- Waters up to 85' Diameter
- Allows unit-to-unit connections
- Metal spike
- Quickly connect and disconnect the sprinkler with an included Quick Connect Product Adapter (Require Quick Connect Product End Connector sold separately)
Melnor Multi-Adjustable Sprinklers and Garden Hoses Kit, Covers up to 1,800 sq....
- Includes three multi-adjustable sprinklers and two 15-foot garden hoses to easily customize the Spacing and placement of each sprinkler to your specific needs.
- Durable hose bends without kinking and features rotating coupling nuts for simple unit-to-unit connections.
- Includes three multi-adjustable sprinklers and two 15-foot garden hoses to easily customize the Spacing and placement of each sprinkler to your specific needs.
- Durable hose bends without kinking and features rotating coupling nuts for simple unit-to-unit connections.
- Multi-adjust sprinkler allows you to control the water flow's density, direction and range to target specify areas without wasting water.
- Covers up to 1, 800 sq. Ft. With gentle watering, great for the lawn, flower beds, or vegetable gardens.
- Power source type: Manual
Melnor Turbo Rotary Sprinkler, 4-Pattern
- Backed by a Melnor Lifetime Limited . Melnor stands behind its products. Need additional information or assistance? Leave a question/feedback below. We value your experience with us.
- 4 spary patterns
- 360 Degree coverage area
- Backed by a Melnor Lifetime Limited . Melnor stands behind its products. Need additional information or assistance? Leave a question/feedback below. We value your experience with us.
- 4 spary patterns
- 360 Degree coverage area
- Waters up to 68 feet diameter
- Turbo-drive moter for extra-long life
Hoont Cobra Yard and Garden Motion Activated Water Blaster - Animal Rodent...
- Protect Your Yard from Unwanted Animals- The Hoont Cobra Animal Repeller will not disappoint, with it's solar-powered motion detection and powerful water- blasting, your yard is sure to stay safe.
- Large Protection Range- Adjustable 24/7 animal detection unit with a 0 to 30 feet range for maximum property protection.
- Protect Your Yard from Unwanted Animals- The Hoont Cobra Animal Repeller will not disappoint, with it's solar-powered motion detection and powerful water- blasting, your yard is sure to stay safe.
- Large Protection Range- Adjustable 24/7 animal detection unit with a 0 to 30 feet range for maximum property protection.
- Save On Water Supply- The water jet works on a 5 second intermittent spray cycle, ensuring repellent effectiveness and low water consumption
- Adjustable Coverage- Sprinkler head is fully adjustable with up to 1000 square feet of coverage
- Deter Animals Out Of Your Yard In A Humane, Safe Manner- Designed to be 100% harmless to people and animals, yet still powerful and effective
- Easy Setup- setup is quick and easy with no tools or prior experience required
- Power source type: Battery Powered
Melnor Pulsator Lawn & Garden Sprinklers
- Connect The Units In Series To Spray A Gentle Rain Of Water Over Your Lawn Or Garden
- Adjust The Flow Or Angle To Fit Your Watering Needs
- This Product Is Manufactured In China
- No Assembly Required
- Connect The Units In Series To Spray A Gentle Rain Of Water Over Your Lawn Or Garden
- Adjust The Flow Or Angle To Fit Your Watering Needs
- This Product Is Manufactured In China
- No Assembly Required
Diverters For Sending Water Pressure To Multiple Sprinklers
2wayz All Metal Body Garden Hose Splitter. Newly Upgraded (2017): 100% Secured,...
- Bolted Components: Inlet & outlet strengthened in the newest version of our dual water hose connector. After many months of lab trials, our expert engineers have completely reconstructed critical components of the splitter. The 2 spouts are now fastened with metal bolts, and won’t disconnect. The neck is affixed with threads, anchoring the two parts.
- Bolted Components: Inlet & outlet strengthened in the newest version of our dual water hose connector. After many months of lab trials, our expert engineers have completely reconstructed critical components of the splitter. The 2 spouts are now fastened with metal bolts, and won’t disconnect. The neck is affixed with threads, anchoring the two parts.
- Seamless Installation, Smooth Operation: The 2 way garden hose splitter has long handles (4 cm) which allow for smooth and easy shut on and off. Because the splitter is coated with rubber, it is ideal for stiff hands or hands with arthritis. Other than a basic understanding of how spigots and hoses work, no tools are needed, ensuring an easy and flawless installation. The water hose splitter is also able to rotate 360 degrees, allowing you to tug and pull hoses in all directions.
- No Leaking and Watershed: Long and smooth thread with rubber ring at female end will make leaks a long forgotten experience. Full rubber cover makes working with the y garden hose splitter easy in all kinds of weather.
- Spigot Extender: Is your faucet too recessed into the house wall, causing you to scrape your knuckles any time you try to connect a new water hose? Use this hose extender to allow you more maneuverability. You can also start filling up watering cans and buckets from the spigot, since this spigot extender will allow you to fit the bucket under the now extended spigot.
- Unique Design: 2WAYZ garden hose splitter was the first heavy duty hose bib with this revolutionary design. First on the market! Designed to last, like all other 2WAYZ gardening products. Check out other 2WAYZ products to make your gardening easier and more comfortable!
2wayz 2 Way Brass Hose Splitter. Super Heavy Duty Connector Will Keep...
- Solid Brass Hose Splitter: No leaking with using this garden hose splitter. Traditional brass y connector for your garden hose. Brass hose splitter add-on to your faucet.
- Convenient and Easy Usage: The 2 way brass garden hose splitter allows you to connect two hoses at once, no hose dragging. Place one hose by the rose beds, and use the other hose for your hose nozzle!
- Solid Brass Hose Splitter: No leaking with using this garden hose splitter. Traditional brass y connector for your garden hose. Brass hose splitter add-on to your faucet.
- Convenient and Easy Usage: The 2 way brass garden hose splitter allows you to connect two hoses at once, no hose dragging. Place one hose by the rose beds, and use the other hose for your hose nozzle!
- Shut Off Valves: Simply shut off the water without needing to run to the hose to disconnect. With the brass y connector for garden watering your garden will become fun!
- Quick Installation: Stop fiddling with the spigot connector, our water hose splitter will make you forget you ever installed it in the first place! Once installed, you can leave the hose bib adapter in place for the whole summer
- 2WAYZ Quality: Designed to last, like all other 2WAYZ gardening products. Check out other 2WAYZ products to make your gardening easier and more comfortable! Brass version of the best selling two way hose splitter, y valve hose splitter
ikris Garden Hose Splitter 4-Way with Rubberized ComfortGrip
2wayz 4 Way Garden Hose Splitter, Upgraded (2019) Highly Durable Water Manifold...
- Bolted Components: Inlet & outlet strengthened in the newest version of double hose connector. After many months of lab trials, our expert engineers have completely reconstructed critical components of the splitter.
- Bolted Components: Inlet & outlet strengthened in the newest version of double hose connector. After many months of lab trials, our expert engineers have completely reconstructed critical components of the splitter.
- Seamless Installation, Smooth Operation: The 2 way garden hose splitter has long handles which allow for smooth and easy shut on and off. Because the splitter is coated with rubber, that makes for a comfortable non slippery touch.
- 360° Swivel: The water hose splitter is also able to rotate 360 degrees, allowing you to tug and pull hoses in all directions. Faucet splitter : splits to multiple hoses
- No Leaking and Watershed: Long and smooth thread with rubber ring at female end will make leaks a long forgotten experience. Full rubber cover makes working with the y garden hose splitter easy in all kinds of weather.
- Unique Design: Designed to last, like all other 2WAYZ gardening products. Check out other 2WAYZ products to make your gardening easier and more comfortable!
