Knowing when and how much to water your lawn is an essential part of maintaining a lush, green property. Most people know that you shouldn’t water your lawn in the middle of the day (and if you didn’t, now you do!) However, you may wonder whether it is better to water your lawn in the morning or at night.
Here, we’ll tell you the best time to water your lawn, why this is, and give you some pointers to help you keep your lawn healthy and happy.
The Best Time To Water Your Lawn Is… Drumroll, Please:
The morning!
The best time to water your lawn is before 10am. The reason for this is because in the morning, it’s still cool and the sun isn’t as intense. This gives the water the best chance to soak into your soil and nourish your lawn. It also gives your grass plenty of time to dry after being watered, an essential part of staving off disease.
So, if you already water your lawn in the morning, give yourself a pat on the back – you’re doing something right. If you are an evening waterer, head on down to the next section to see why this isn’t the best course of action.
Why Watering Your Lawn In The Evening Isn’t Ideal
If you’re an evening waterer, you probably think you’re saving your grass from being burned by the sun. However, if you water your lawn at night, the water droplets can cling to your grass. This increases your grasses’ risk of fungal diseases. You want to give the water the chance to soak into the soil and you want to give your grass the chance to dry before temperatures start dropping for the night.
Why You Shouldn’t Water Your Lawn In The Middle Of The Day
If you’re new to home ownership or just were never taught about proper lawn care, you might not know that you shouldn’t be watering your lawn in the middle of the day. A lot of people think that the reason for this is because the combination of heat and water will burn your grass. Contrary to popular belief, this isn’t why your grass can turn dry and brown.
When you water in the middle of the day, the water is more likely to evaporate before it gets the chance to seep into the soil. This causes your lawn to not get as much water as it should. Thus, the reason why watering in the middle of the day can turn your lawn dry and brown isn’t because the water is burning your grass – it’s because your grass isn’t getting enough water to stay happy and healthy.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, you can lose up to 50% of the water you use on your lawn due to evaporation, runoff, and wind. This is why people typically water their lawns in the morning or at night, in order to avoid water waste and grass damage.
What If You Need To Water Your Lawn Twice A Day?
The ideal watering schedule for your lawn is going to vary based on a variety of factors, from soil type to grass type to the climate. While it’s generally recommended that you water your lawn deeply and infrequently, there are times when you’d need to water more often, such as in hot, dry climates (Utah, anyone?)
If this is the case for your lawn, you can water it once in the morning and then again in the late afternoon or early evening. Think about 6pm. This is so that you’re not watering your lawn in the heat of the day when the water would just evaporate and so that the grass has the chance to dry, decreasing risk of lawn diseases.
Are You Having Issues With Your Lawn?
Green Castle Lawn Care is here to help! Whether you need advice on how often you should be watering your lawn based on the type of soil and grasses you have in your climate or you’re having problems you can’t resolve, our experts are ready to help you determine the ideal maintenance program to maintain a healthy, happy lawn. Contact us today to learn more about our lawn care services.