Watering your Lawn

One of the most important steps that you can take to ensure the health and vitality of your lawn is to water it properly. However, it doesn't take much time to discover that watering your lawn incorrectly can have negative consequences. Just as depriving your lawn of the water that it needs is a sure way to watch it dry up and wither away before your eyes, likewise, giving your lawn too much water will cause it to fail to thrive as well. It's important to understand that all lawns require at least one inch of water per week. Therefore it is wise to estimate how much rainfall your lawn is receiving and only water when you must supplement. Additionally, many people find that it is difficult to gage how much water they are applying to their lawn when they water. By placing rain gauges in your lawn, you can accurately measure the amount of water you typically apply when watering your lawn and devise a strategy that will ensure that you water the correct amount each week.

Many people make the mistake of believing that they need to water their lawns daily and will water regardless of the amount of rainfall that naturally occurs. Not only is this harmful to your lawn, it is also an unnecessary waste of one of Earth's most precious resources. Watering your lawn as it is needed and allowing for natural rainfall to comprise the bulk of your water is not only best for your lawn, but it is a responsible way of taking care of the Earth.

How you water your lawn is just as important as when you water. Many people may think that watering their lawn during the night hours is preferable when compared to watering during the heat of the day. Actually, neither is recommended. When someone waters their lawn during the heat of midday, they risk losing most of the water to the sun's rays. The water quickly evaporates and is essentially wasted. Likewise, watering your lawn during night hours is not recommended due to the fact that the sun is not out and cannot cause the water to evaporate in a timely manner. Night watering may result in the water pooling, causing plants to deteriorate and making them susceptible to insect and pest infestation and disease. The best time of day to water is in the early morning hours. This way, the water has plenty of time to be fully absorbed by the soil.

Measuring the amount of rainfall your lawn receives is critical in knowing how much water your lawn needs. Additionally, when you do water, it is best to water in short frequent amounts, than it is to try to make up the difference all at once. It is never a good idea to over soak your lawn. By creating a strategy that not only includes proper watering techniques, but also involves the proper use of fertilizers, limits the use of chemical pesticides and uses natural and organic alternatives, and by aerating your lawn as needed, you'll soon see the rewards of your efforts and enjoy a beautiful healthy lawn.