Watering can be a touchy subject in drought years during watering restrictions. The truth is, most lawns don’t need to be watered as frequently as you might imagine. Your lawn will benefit from a long, deep watering once a week, far more than it will from two short, shallow sessions. The reason is simple: A long watering allows water to penetrate deep into the soil, and the grass roots will grow deep to chase it. The deeper the roots, the healthier the turf.
Most folks program their irrigations systems, but that doesn’t mean you can just forget about them. Do an annual water audit at the beginning of spring to make sure all the sprinkler heads are in good working order, there are no leaks in the line, and that water covers your lawn without wasteful overspraying. If you don’t have an automatic system, wait to water until you see signs of dehydration. If you walk across the lawn and the grass doesn’t immediately spring back, it’s time for a drink. If you’re not sure about watering, the extension office in your county has a daily update on water data for your area to help you calculate your irrigation needs.