DFW Lawn Tips: The Best Time to Water Grass
Get the Inside Scoop on Watering Your Yard In Every Season
Got a hose or sprinkler system? Add water and a bit of time, and you’re done, right? Not quite. At least, not if you’re after a healthy, resilient yard that looks great.
How you water should depend on your grass variety, soil composition, location, current season, and other factors. The experts at GroGreen are here to share some top watering tips, including the best time to water grass in Dallas, TX.
When Should You Water Grass?
Time matters. Certain hours deliver far superior results than others.
Optimal time to water? During and shortly after dawn, between approximately 5 to 10 a.m. Why? When daylight strikes, plants start drawing out moisture from soil. You want moisture ready and prepared for when your grass needs it most.
Other advantages to dawn watering? Wind tends to be calm. Evaporation loss is reduced. Water pressure is higher, so your sprinklers can cover more area.
Late afternoon (about 4 to 6 p.m.) can work, too. It’s your second-best option. There’s a bit of a fungal risk when it comes to watering later in the day.
The problem: As the temperature falls overnight, moisture condenses on all surfaces. Excessive moisture that the plant is unable to absorb leaves your grass vulnerable to pathogens, fungi, and insects.
Worst time to water? Midafternoon, about 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It’s basically like throwing money away. High temperatures increase evaporation, which means less water is available for your grass to take up.
How Often Should You Water in Dallas?
The answer varies, but here’s the kicker: thorough, less-frequent watering delivers the best results. Ditch the daily light watering routine and go for deep watering 2 to 3 times a week instead. This encourages deeper root development and creates a healthier lawn.
Flexibility counts. Rainfall, drought, and municipal water restrictions can force sudden changes in your schedule. Monitor weather patterns. Monitor your lawn’s condition.
Too Much Water
More water does not mean a better lawn. In fact, it does not help at all. Overwatering causes standing water, fungus, yellow grass, mushy lawns, and wasteful runoff.
Not Enough Water
Well-watered grass is perky. Underwatered grass is sparse. It turns from bright green to dull green or bluish. Leaves begin curling. It doesn’t spring up after you’ve walked over it. Footprints don’t disappear from the lawn. Inadequate watering makes your lawn appear tired and worn.
Don’t Make These Typical Watering Mistakes
- Irrespective of the grass variety, soil composition, or change in seasons, you are actually going against the major needs of your lawn. Pay attention and adjust accordingly.
- Poor coverage is usually due to misaligned sprinkler heads, poor design, or broken parts. Brown spots next to overwatered areas also signal system issues. Professionals can diagnose and correct any coverage issues so that all grass areas are receiving the right amount of water.
- Be sure to check your city’s regulations-restrictions often carry penalties for violations.
- Over-irrigation creates shallow root systems and weak grass.
- Improper timing wastes moisture and encourages disease. Dawn is optimal. Mid-afternoon is the worst.
Watering Through the Seasons
Spring
Rainfall typically arrives with spring. Irrigation may only be necessary after 5+ rainless days. Monitor for fresh growth. That signals it’s returning to its active phase.
Rising temperatures shift your lawn from dormancy toward active growth. Adjust your irrigation schedule to regional weather patterns and the needs of your lawn.
Summer
Look out for heat-related stress. Long periods of unbroken hot weather can seal or crust the surface, preventing water entry. Parts become waterlogged, while others remain dry because of runoff of water
Notice any sogginess or runoff? It may be time for aeration, or professional assistance to eliminate any compaction issues. Longer days, higher temperatures, and lower rainfall all equate to your lawn needing the most water during this time. Heat plus increased evaporation call for early, thorough watering.
Fall
Loss of moisture through evaporation reduces with the decrease in temperature. Your lawn requires less frequency of irrigation. Milder weather, reduced daylight, and increased rainfall allow you to reduce sprinkler frequencies.
Monitor weather predictions. But also monitor your lawn’s appearance. During fall, that’s your most reliable guide.
Winter
Winterize your irrigation system in areas with freezing temperatures. Drain off as much moisture as possible. Wrap exposed pipes to prevent freeze damage.
Continue winter watering, but only if temperatures remain above 40°F. In most southern zones, occasional irrigation during mild, dry spells remains essential.
What’s the Ideal Amount of Water?
Southern lawns typically thrive with 1 to 2 inches of moisture weekly-precipitation and irrigation together. But surface wetting isn’t enough. Moisture must penetrate 6-8 inches down where root systems exist.
Surface watering creates surface roots. These cannot reach water during dry spells. Deep watering produces deep roots. The result? A hardier lawn.
Achieving the right amount? Use cycle and soak methodology. Instead of single long sprinkler runs, run each zone for 15-20 minutes. Run the system immediately after that first cycle. This creates the “soak” benefit.
Success comes because the soil absorbs that opening round of moisture, receives a short interval, then accommodates additional moisture in the following cycle. This cultivates deeper root growth and preserves moisture that would otherwise escape.
A Handful of Quick Tips for Saving Water
- Laying new turf or overseeding? Choose drought-tolerant grass types. Some types are more resistant to drought conditions.
- Compacted or heavy clay soil? Aerate your lawn to help with moisture penetration.
- Install a rain sensor on your irrigation system. When it rains, the device automatically stops operation.
- Spread mulch near lawn boundaries and around trees. This helps in retaining moisture and reducing evaporation.
- Switch to smart controllers that use real-time weather conditions to operate your irrigation system, delivering the appropriate amount of moisture while minimizing waste.
- Install drip irrigation for gardens, containers, and defined landscape zones. These systems apply water directly to root zones, reducing evaporation and waste.
- Put a rain sensor in your sprinkler system. It turns everything off automatically when it rains.
Pay Attention to Your Soil Type
Clay-based soil holds moisture longer; thus, less frequency in watering is necessary. However, the application needs to be slower in order to prevent runoff. Clay does absorb slowly and requires patience.
Sandy soils behave in the opposite way. Drainage takes place rapidly. More frequent watering with reduced quantities becomes necessary.
Loamy soil is ideal, so if you have this, then you are lucky. It balances drainage and retention well. It mostly works with basic watering guidelines without needing continuous adjustments.
Grass Watering FAQS
Can I skip watering if it rains?
Absolutely. Verify your rain gauge for precipitation amounts, then make adjustments. Following substantial rainfall, allow your sprinklers to rest.
What is the best sprinkler system for my lawn size?
The optimal system matches your property’s specific characteristics. It delivers superior coverage, functions more efficiently, accommodates your landscape’s distinct features, and enhances overall turf health. Universal systems rarely suit irrigation needs.
How do I know if I am overwatering or underwatering my plants?
Excessive moisture produces yellow or brown areas, bare sections, and mushroom growth. Insufficient moisture creates grayish grass that stays flat after foot traffic.
What are the signs of drought stress?
Persistent footprints, wilted blades that bend or curl, and a blue-gray appearance all signal stressed grass needing moisture shortly.
How do I water during restrictions?
Prioritize thorough, infrequent irrigation on permitted days. Maximize each watering session by ensuring moisture penetrates deeply into the soil.
Watering Established & New Lawns
Established Lawn
This approach is easier. Maintain that 1 to 2 inches weekly cycle and soak method. The objective is achieving deep roots, accomplished through reduced watering frequency. Your mature lawn actually benefits from a hands-off strategy.
New Lawn
Fresh grass demands additional attention. Provide a solid foundation by misting 1 or 2 times daily until germination starts. Timing depends on grass variety, typically around 10 days.
Once fresh grass grows to approximately 3 inches height, decrease to twice weekly. You’re slowly transitioning it toward a regular watering routine.
Consider the Grass Type
Warm-season grasses have their merits, but require specialized attention. Bermuda, St. Augustine, zoysia, and other southern varieties can tolerate extreme heat and dryness. That’s why they are watered less frequently than northern types of grass.
The cool-climate grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass, fescue, and ryegrass are quite different. They require a bit more moisture because they are not designed to handle extreme summer temperatures.
3 Ways to Double-Check Your Watering
- Tuna Can
Set out empty tuna cans, or similar containers, around your yard. Turn on the sprinklers. When you collect about 1 inch of water in the cans, you have watered enough. This method also shows you if you have even coverage.
- Screwdriver
After watering, insert a screwdriver into the soil. It should go in easily to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. Resistance means the water hasn’t penetrated deeply enough.
- Flow Rate/Timer
Prefer doing the math yourself? Calculate your sprinkler’s GPM and match it up to your lawn’s square footage. If you want to be exact, time how many seconds it takes for your sprinkler, under full pressure, to fill a container of known volume, and use the following equation: (Number of Gallons / Seconds) x 60 = GPM
Reach Out to Us Today!
Now you know when to water grass and a lot more. You should also know that the best time to call us for lawn care, pest control, and more is as soon as possible. Contact GroGreen, and allow us to handle the winter lawn care so that you don’t have to. We proudly serve the greater DFW area, ensuring high-quality lawn care and pest control services for these communities:
- Allen, TX
- Carrollton, TX
- Coppell, TX
- Fairview Farmers Branch, TX
- Flower Mound, TX
- Frisco, TX
- Lucas, TX
- McKinney, TX
- Murphy, TX
- Parker, TX
- Plano, TX
- Prosper, TX
- Richardson, TX
- Sachse, TX
- St. Paul, TX
- The Colony, TX
- Wylie, TX