The summer season can be a challenging time for homeowners and landscapers alike when it comes to maintaining lush, green lawns. Providing the right amount of water remains an ongoing quest for most. But in the heat of the summer, exactly how much should you water your lawn? This post will guide you through ideal watering practices for different types of sod during the summer season.
Understanding the Basics of Lawn Watering
While watering may seem like a straightforward task, several variables come into play. Things such as the type of grass, weather conditions, soil composition, and even the time of day can impact how much water your sod needs. Learning to recognize the signs that your sod is getting either too much or too little water is crucial.
Before diving deeper into the specifics, remember that new sod requirements vary from established, mature lawns. Newly sodded lawns need particular attention, as they have more shallow roots and therefore need more frequent watering until established.
Now let’s get into how much you should water specific types of grass.
Bermuda Tifway 419
Renowned for its ability to withstand high foot traffic and intense heat, Bermuda Tifway 419 proves a popular choice for many homeowners and sports centers. It thrives when it receives between 1 to 1.25 inches of water every week. In the summer months, you can divide this watering routine into two or three sessions a week.
Be careful to beware of overwatering – doing so may lead to a shallow root system, making your grass susceptible to drought and diseases.
Tahoma 31 Bermudagrass
This type of grass was engineered specifically for superior heat and drought tolerance. After your new Tahoma 31 Bermuda sod has been established (3-6 months after installing in the ground), you can follow a watering schedule for a mature lawn. Even in the heat of summer, Tahoma 31 Bermudagrass only requires around 1 inch of water divided into two applications throughout the week. It’s essential to watch out for signs of heat stress in warm-season lawns – once you see the blades rolling or folding, it’s time to water your turf.
New Sod Needs a Special Watering Schedule
Day One
When installing sod, install as soon as possible (within 12 hours of delivery) for best results. Allowing sod to sit on a pallet during hot weather may reduce quality of appearance. Do not water sod while it is sitting on the pallet; only water the sod once it has been laid.
Water as soon as you can following installation. Give it a big, heavy soaking. Remember, it is establishing a brand-new root system in your yard. It will need plenty of water to push out these new roots.
Water Deeply
Water deeply, 2-3 times per day, for the first 2 weeks. Water until you can feel that the sod has rooted in. Pull on the corners of the pieces, and over time, it should be more and more difficult to pull up. Then, slowly back off after 2 weeks. Mature, established lawns need 1 inch of water per week. “Water deeply and infrequently.” When you water deeply, you train the roots of the grass to dive down to find the water. This promotes deeper growth of the root system. What’s the harm in short sessions? When you only water for 10 minutes at a time, the water stays towards the top of the soil. The roots have no reason to grow deeper, because they know they’ll get a little drink soon enough.
This may result in a more shallow root system.
Do I need a sprinkler system? Do I need Irrigation?
For 2000 square feet or more, one handheld hose might not be sufficient. We recommend in-ground irrigation above all else. But if that’s not in the cards for you, be sure you are getting full coverage of your lawn with your sprinkler. Still unsure of water coverage? Put out a rain gauge or an empty tuna can. When you reach 1 inch, that’s enough water for 1-2 days for brand new sod. 1 inch is enough water for the entire week for established (rooted) sod.
Don’t Leave Town with New Sod!
Going on vacation soon? Be sure you think about how to keep your new sod watered before you plan to be away for several days. Perhaps ask a neighbor to water the lawn on a schedule, or don’t plan on leaving town at all. New sod should be watered heavily for at least 14 days or until rooted. This can vary depending on the weather. If we are having a typical, hot Georgia June and July, you may need to water heavily for 14-21 days. Don’t skip out early! Even if you water for just one week, if you don’t continue to water deeply, your sod could show signs of damage and stress. A classic sign of underwatering is visible seams that won’t fill in.
Water All The Zones
Be sure to get full coverage when you water your lawn.
When working with a landscape pro or irrigation installer, they should have the know-how to set up zones for full coverage. Time the zones for the proper season. If you don’t have in-ground irrigation, you will need to physically pick up and move your sprinkler around for full coverage.
Dry, thirsty grass will turn greyish-green and will be brittle and thin. Use your best judgment. When the grass looks and feels crispy or grey-green, water it!
Additional Tips for Summer Watering
Regardless of the grass type, following the ‘Deep and Infrequent’ watering principle encourages roots to grow deeper into the soil, making your lawn more drought-resistant. Also, watering in the early morning hours allows the water to seep into the ground before the heat of the day causes evaporation. This is not just an old wives’ tale; it has been proven that your lawn will retain more water if watered in the early morning. Watering in the heat of midday can result in as much as 30% of the water evaporating off the lawn, leading to increased water costs and inefficient use of resources.
Lastly, consider investing in a smart irrigation system. This will ensure your lawn receives the right amount of water at the right time, saving you effort and potentially leading to lower water bills.
Remember, watering is a critical element of lawn care, but the intricacies of watering can sometimes be complex. If you need help evaluating the correct grass type for your needs or to guide you on how to care for your sod properly, don’t hesitate to seek expert advice.
