How long should you water your lawn?
By Alyssa Chua•Last updated Jun 9, 2023
Last updated Jun 9, 2023
Watering your lawn is one of the best ways to ensure it stays healthy and green throughout the year. However, it’s not just about sprinkling or spraying water on your turf whenever you feel like it. Grass requires different amounts of water depending on where you live, the season and the grass type.
How long you should water your lawn depends on your grass type, soil condition and sprinkler output. For some homeowners, you may need to water your lawn for 20, 30 or 45 minutes — it truly depends on a variety of factors.
Keep reading to learn how much water your lawn needs, and how to determine how long it will take to water your lawn thoroughly.
How much water to use when watering your lawn
How long, or how much, to water your lawn depends on the size of your turf and the condition of your grass and soil. In general, aim to apply 1 to 1.5 inches of water each time you water your grass.
Most grasses need watering at least once a week, but this also depends on the type of soil:
| Soil type | Description | Watering needs |
|---|---|---|
| Clay soil | Contains tiny particles and holds onto water tightly | 1 inch of water at least once a week |
| Sandy soil | Contains large particles and drains easily | 1/3 inch of water three times a week |
When in doubt, remember this rule of thumb for watering your lawn: water deeply but infrequently.
Watering deeply and infrequently improves root growth, resulting in healthier turf. Grass with shallow root systems becomes a breeding ground for weeds and diseases. The deeper and more infrequently you water your lawn, the more you encourage healthy turf growth and a deep root system.
If you aren’t sure what type of soil and grass you have, you can hire a lawn care service professional on Thumbtack. They can help make sure your lawn is in its best shape.
Determine your sprinkler output
The next step in figuring out how long you should water your lawn is determining your sprinkler output. According to Water it Wisely, "On average, pop-up sprinklers apply 0.4 inches of water in 15 minutes, and impact sprinklers apply 0.2 inches of water in 15 minutes."
- Spread six to eight cans around your lawn. Space them 4 to 5 feet apart.
- Turn on your sprinklers for 15 minutes.
- Measure how much water is in each can.
- Add up your measurements and divide by the number of cans to get the average depth.
- This will tell you how much water your sprinkler system releases in 15 minutes.
What’s the best time to water your lawn?
The best time of day to water your lawn is in the morning before 10 a.m. That’s because temperatures are usually cooler, which means the water is less likely to evaporate before reaching the roots.
Watering tips for different types of grass
The amount of water, frequency, and duration depend on whether you have warm- or cool-season grass.
| Grass type | Watering frequency |
|---|---|
| Warm-season grasses (Bermuda, centipede, St. Augustin, zoysia, etc.) | Water about 1 to 2 times a week; requires deep and infrequent watering |
| Cool-season grasses (Kentucky bluegrass, tall and fine fescue, perennial ryegrass, etc.) | Water more than 1 to 2 times a week; requires more frequent watering than warm-season grass |
Does your lawn need to be watered?
Here are a few tips and signs that your lawn probably needs water:
- Dry soil. Generally, you need to water your lawn after the top 2 inches of soil have dried out.
- Try stepping on the grass. If it springs back, it doesn’t need water.
- Visible footprints. Walk across your lawn. If your footprints are visible, it’s time to water.
- Noticeable changes. Your grass may need water if it changes color or starts to wilt. Some grass blades will also turn blue-gray when they need watering.
How to water your lawn
There are many different irrigation systems to help you water your lawn. The best technique depends on the size of your turf, the kind of grass you have, and your budget. See below for the most common watering methods:
- Sprinklers: Sprinklers are a common way to water a lawn. They’re inexpensive to set up and easy to use. However, you may waste a lot of water if you don’t adjust the sprinkler system properly.
- Drip irrigation: Drip irrigation is one of the most efficient ways to water a lawn. It delivers water directly to the roots of the grass instead of wetting the top and waiting for the soil to absorb the water. Drip irrigation reduces evaporation and runoff.
- Soaker hoses: Soaker hoses are made of porous material, allowing water to seep out slowly. They are easy to use, and you can move them around to water different areas of your lawn.
- Hand watering: If your yard isn’t too big, you can hand-water your lawn. It’s the most manual way to water a lawn, but also the most efficient. You can control how much water you use and ensure the grass gets watered evenly.
Hire a lawn care service on Thumbtack
It can be stressful figuring everything out on your own when watering your lawn. Get help by downloading the Thumbtack app and hiring a professional to take care of your lawn for you.
A note about project costs included or linked in this article: Figures represent national average cost estimates using data provided by Thumbtack pros and additional research. These figures are provided for educational purposes only and are subject to change at any time due to various factors. Details about your specific project and local rates can impact costs.
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