Most Midwest gardens don’t need watering until the week around Memorial Day. However, a good rule of thumb to assess the beginning of your yard’s watering cycle is to wait until daytime temperatures reach above 70°F for three consecutive days. When the temperature rises to this level, you must water weekly to keep your lawn healthy and hydrated. Check out this guide to learn more about the best time to start watering your lawn in the spring.
When Should I Start Watering My Lawn in Spring?
Spring Lawn Care
Spring is a critical time for homeowners and their lawns as it marks the transition from the dormant winter months to the active growing season. With the arrival of spring, your lawn begins to emerge from its winter slumber, requiring attention and care to ensure it flourishes throughout the upcoming months. One of the fundamental aspects of spring lawn care is proper watering, as it plays a vital role in nurturing healthy grass growth and maintaining a vibrant lawn.
Signs Your Lawn Needs Water
Recognizing when your lawn requires watering is crucial to maintaining its health and vitality. Several visual indicators can signal that your lawn is becoming parched and in need of hydration.
- Wilting or drooping grass blades,
- Areas of the lawn turning a dull grayish-green
- Footprints lingering longer than usual
These signs suggest that the soil moisture levels are decreasing and your lawn needs to be watered.
When to Start Watering the Lawn in the Spring
Determining the ideal timing to commence spring watering depends largely on weather conditions and soil moisture levels. As spring progresses, pay close attention to the weather forecast and monitor the soil moisture regularly. Typically, once temperatures start to rise and the soil begins to dry out, it’s time to start watering. However, avoid watering too early when the soil is still saturated from winter rains or snowmelt, as this can lead to waterlogging and potential lawn damage.
Give Your Spring Lawn Water – But Don’t Overwater
For optimal growth, the lawn needs approximately an inch of water each week. You’ll need to give the grass enough time between waterings to ensure it’s dry. As a side tip, never mow when the grass is wet. This strategy clogs up the mower deck, rusts the mower blades, and damages the grass.
You must give the lawn ample water, however, overwatering attracts fungal pathogens and pests and allows weeds to overtake the grass. Deep watering encourages the development of deep root systems, making your lawn more drought-resistant and resilient to environmental stressors. Watering in the early morning is optimal, as it allows the grass blades to dry before evening, reducing the risk of fungal diseases.
If you’re watering a freshly seeded lawn, keep it moist but don’t overdo it, or you’ll drown the shallow roots of new grass. A light misting once a day in the early morning is all it needs to grow well.
What are the Signs of Overwatering the Lawn?
Overwatering is the biggest concern for gardeners. It’s important to prevent it, or you’ll draw nutrients out of the soil and prevent optimal root growth. This leads to poor grass coverage. Here are a few signs of overwatering:
- Streams of run-off across the grass.
- A lawn that feels squishy underfoot.
- Weeds or thatch sprouting through the grass.
- Insect infestations or fungal discoloration.
Use a Weekly Watering Schedule
When the weather gets hot in the summer, you might need to water your lawn daily, provided the municipal guidelines allow it. Check your local water restrictions on the municipality’s website.
Use a Rain Gauge
Buy a rain gauge from the local home center. Alternatively, mark an inch on a plastic or polystyrene cup and leave it somewhere in the yard to collect rainfall.
If you run an automated sprinkler system, leave the cup or gauge in the sprinkler head range to collect water during the sprinkler cycle.
Once you have the data on your sprinkler cycle, set the correct time on your controller to optimize your sprinkler cycle.
Factors Affecting Watering Needs
Several factors influence the watering requirements of your lawn, including:
- grass type
- soil type
- slope
- shade
Different grass varieties have varying water needs, with some being more drought-tolerant than others. Additionally, soil composition affects water retention, with sandy soils draining quickly and clay soils holding water for longer periods. Lawns on slopes or in sunny areas may dry out faster than those in shaded or flat areas, necessitating adjustments to watering schedules accordingly.
Spring Lawn Watering – Key Takeaways
Mastering the art of spring lawn watering is essential for cultivating a vibrant and healthy lawn. By paying attention to the signs indicating your lawn’s hydration needs, timing watering appropriately, and adhering to best practices, you can ensure optimal growth and resilience throughout the spring season.
Remember to consider factors such as grass type, soil composition, and environmental conditions when devising your watering strategy, and always strive to conserve water through efficient irrigation methods. With proper care and attention, your lawn will thrive, providing you with a lush and inviting outdoor space to enjoy year-round.
Nature’s Helper – Lawn Sprinklers Omaha
With so much drought in recent years, it’s an essential step to install a sprinkler system designed for maximum water efficiency that still delivers a lush, healthy lawn. For more than 25 years, Nature’s Helper has been helping Omaha residents turn their lawns from ordinary into extraordinary. Through designing and installing residential and commercial underground sprinkler systems, we’re committed to providing innovative solutions and outstanding customer service every single time.
Are you noticing brown spots even with a drought-resistant lawn and a water-efficient sprinkler system? Periods of drought can reveal a poorly designed sprinkler system. At Nature’s Helper, we don’t just get water on the lawn, we focus on hydraulics, spacing, and nozzling to put down 1/3” of water on the lawn as evenly as possible every time your system runs. If you find yourself pulling hoses even with an irrigation system, call Nature’s Helper – we can help you!
To request service or schedule a free installation estimate, contact us online or call us at (402) 334-2625.
