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As the summer arrives, the heat of the sun increases that leads to dry soil and loss of water from the ground. Even the human body needs more water in the summer months than in any other season of the year. Similar is the case with grass, plants, and shrubs. The colour of the grass in the lawns starts turning pale due to an inadequate supply of water or loss of water from the soil.
So, the lawns need more water during the summer months to maintain the grass on their surface. There are some locations where the temperature crosses 35-degree centigrade in summer. In such locations, it becomes quite challenging to meet the irrigation needs of landscapes. This post shares some tips for watering your lawns in the summer season.
By choosing the right grass to start, you will help your lawn win the battle in summer. Grasses native to your area will be best suited to your environment and will need less water. Even if you choose natives, be sure to choose the natives that are summer tolerant since even some native varieties of grass prefer wetter conditions. You can also choose grasses and turf varieties that are drought-resistant.
When the summer begins to arrive, the sun is strong only in the noon. The weather is cool during the morning and evening hours. It is the beginning of the summer season, and it is sufficient to water your lawn every other day. Unless you have pale spots of grass in your lawn, it is sufficient to water at alternate days.
Many people want to cut their grass too short as it looks uniform and beautifully green. There are many disadvantages of cutting the grass too short. The sun rays reach directly to the soil, which leads to evaporation and loss of water, thereby requiring frequent watering. Moreover, the leaves of the grass are the part where food is made with photosynthesis. When the grass is cut too short, there is a small part of leaf for photosynthesis and almost no shade for the roots.
When you feel the need to trim your grass, set the lawnmower to a high setting, to cut the grass at the height of 3 inches. Taller the blades of the grass in your lawn more is the shade for their roots, which keeps them cool in the hot summer. Moreover, the taller the grass, longer their roots to support its length.
Watering in the night time invites pests and bugs that lead to fungal diseases. The best time for watering your lawn is early morning when the sun is mild. Watering at this time offers your lawn enough time to dry in the day and prevent fungal diseases.
Some people prefer watering the lawn every day with a sprinkler system for a few minutes. This method is like shallow watering, and it wets the upper layer of the soil that dried throughout the day. However, it is better to water deeply two times in a week then watering shallowly every day. If you have the grass with at least one-and-a-half-inch height, watering your lawn for half an hour, twice a week, is enough to keep it green.
Turfgrass needs about 1 to 1-1/2 inches of water per week. The actual amount of water required depends on the type of soil and weather conditions. The general rule of thumb when irrigating turfgrass is to water deep but infrequently. Watering deeply contributes significantly to the growth of deep root systems. Deep-rooted turfgrass can be much better able to withstand harsh weather than shallow-rooted grasses.
You should aerate your lawn to improve the flow of oxygen and test the pH balance of the soil to ensure the healthiest grass. Adding fertilizer is also essential for the health of the grass. Your grass must have adequate fertilizer, which provides the necessary nutrients for good health. Remove weeds from the grass, as they absorb the nutrients of the grass.
Drip irrigation equipment is better than sprinklers and hoses as they water the lawn slowly but deeply. Using drip irrigation systems reduces the rate of evaporation as the drips spray water near the roots of the grass. You can use a container drip watering system as you can connect them to a timer and your hose.
Using these lawn watering tips can help you maintain the grass green in summers. The key to maintaining a lawn in summer is to plant summer tolerant grass, and water deeply using the drip irrigation equipment twice a week. Following the tips in this post can help you maintain your lawn in the summer months.
