Importance of Proper Watering
It’s a basic fact that if lawns and gardens don’t get enough water, they die. Feeding, weeding, and pest control are only really effective when there’s a sufficient amount of water. Dr. Beard, a well-known turfgrass scientist from Texas A & M claims, “Water is not wasted by plants. Water is primarily wasted by man via improper irrigation.”
This happens when we water too long or too fast and see puddled water or runoff. Watering in short “sprinkles” is wasteful, too. Short, shallow watering creates shallow roots, which dry quickly and require even more frequent watering. It’s sort of a vicious cycle.
It’s best to water when the temperature is low and there are no strong winds. (Unfortunately this usually occurs about dawn.) And it’s important to water deeply (to a depth of about 6″). Your convenience matters to us, especially when we see folks dragging hoses around at all hours trying to get water to their lawns. There are a lot of tools available to help. From quick connects, water timers, traveling sprinklers, drip irrigation layouts, inground systems with moisture sensors to simple hose reels, there is something to help make watering easier for you.
ASIDE FROM THE EQUIPMENT YOU USE, THERE ARE A COUPLE OF IMPORTANT POINTS TO KEEP IN MIND:
• Lawns need an average of 1″ of water per week during the growing season, and chances are, you won’t get that much rain.
• Grass variety makes a big difference in how much water is needed and how well drought is handled.
• Avoid watering when evaporation rates will be high.
• Check your thatch level. Heavy thatch prevents good water penetration and increases runoff.
