Watering Your Lawn

Watering Tips: Protecting Your Lawn and Curbing Unnecessary Usage

In the South, it can be challenging to navigate the hassles of lawn care in an unpredictable climate, particularly when hot weather can begin early in the spring and last well past the beginning of fall.

We encourage all of our customers to consider the amount of water it takes to protect your lawns and gardens from hot temperatures and drought conditions.

Did you know that every inch of standing water that collects on an acre of land equals more than 27,000 gallons?

According to Clemson Cooperative Extension, most turf grasses need about half an inch of water in coarse, sandy soil and one inch of water in heavy or fine-textured soil. These amounts will moisten the soil to a depth of four to six inches. However, if you cannot apply this entire amount at once because of water running off from the lawn, apply about half an inch at a time and allow the water to soak in before you continue. In general, bermuda grass needs a total weekly application of about 1 to 1¼ inches of water. Sandy soils often require more frequent watering, for example, ¾ inches of water every third or fourth day. For more information on watering lawns refer to Clemson Extension.

Once you water, do not water again until you observe water deficiency symptoms. Never water the grass every day except during the establishment of newly seeded, sodded or sprigged lawns. Watering every day with a small amount will encourage a shallow root system, making the grass less drought tolerant and more susceptible to soil erosion. Try to stretch the interval between waterings to as many days as possible to encourage the development of deep, extensive roots. Once you choose to water, continue watering. Encouraging the lawn to break dormancy and then not watering again will exhaust the plants and can cause injury.