Grass needs water, sunlight, and fertilizer in order to be healthy and lush like we all want our grass to be. If you live in Texas then you know that the air temperatures can reach above 800 before 10 a.m. and most people know that when you water grass when the temperatures are higher than 800 you can cause heat damage to the grass. So how is a Texan supposed to keep their lawn water properly?
The Best Time to Water Grass
The best time to water grass in Texas is between 4 a.m. and 10 a.m. When you water your grass you want to do so when temperatures are below 800 so watering during the early morning hours allows you to apply the water during the coolest hours of the morning. During this time period the water can penetrate the soil and the excess water that is not needed will still be able to evaporate so your grass does not sit with water accumulating on it.
If you water grass when the sun is high and the temperatures are also high the water will quickly evaporate so you will have to apply a greater amount of water in order to get the right amount of water to the grass roots. You should never water the grass between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. due to the evaporation problems.
If you water your grass in the evening hours then the water will sit on the grass instead of seeping properly into the soil and that moisture can cause mold and grass diseases to happen. One of the quickest ways to kill your grass is to water it late in the afternoon or early in the evening so that the water stays on the grass for long periods of time.
During the early morning hours the wind is usually as calm as it will be for the entire day. The wind will not damage your grass but it can carry the water away from the area you are trying to apply it so watering when the winds are at their calmest will allow the water to penetrate the soil where it is most needed.
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How Much Water to give your Grass
Watering at the right time of day is important but providing the right amount of water is critical. You need to apply enough water so that the water will seep down into the soil for about six inches. The average grass roots are about six inches below the surface of the soil. If you do not put enough water on the grass then the water will not reach the roots and the grass will die of thirst just as if you never applied any water to it. If you apply more water so that is seeps into the soil past the roots you are simply wasting water, or you could encourage mold and fungus growth, or root rot in your grass.
To determine how much water you have applied you should monitor closely the first time that you water, and then the next time you water you simply need to apply the water for the same length of time. To monitor your water check it every fifteen minutes during the watering process. The most reliable way to do this checking is to take a shovel and lift up a shovel full of dirt and see how far the water has seeped into the dirt. Continue to check every fifteen minutes until you feel that the water is going about six inches below the surface.
What to Use When Watering your Grass
Another important thing to know about watering grass is that you need to use the right kind of sprinkler. You want to use a pulsating sprinkler instead of an oscillating sprinkler. You will be able to accurately get the lawn watered with an equal amount of water to all of the areas of the lawn using a pulsating sprinkler.
Other good methods of watering include soaker hoses and built in sprinkler systems that are connected to the water supply through pipes that stay in place. This type of watering system does cost more than a water hose and sprinkler head, but in the long run your investment will pay off with a greener lawn that is easier to water.
