How long should you water your lawn?

How much water to use when watering your lawn.

How long or how much water to use when watering your lawn depends on how big your turf is, as well as the condition of your grass and soil. Generally, aim to apply 1-1.5 inches of water every time you water your grass.

Most grasses need watering at least once a week, but this also depends on the type of soil:

Source: Clemson College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences

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 a healthier turf. Grass with shallow root systems becomes the 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 at Thumbtack. They’ll help you make sure your lawn is in its best state.

Determine your sprinkler output.

The next step to 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."  

For a more accurate estimate, you can try the tin can test:

1. Spread six to eight cans around your lawn. Space them out 4 to 5 feet apart.
2. Turn on your sprinklers for 15 minutes.
3. Measure how much water is in each can.
4. Sum up your measurements and divide it by the number of cans to get the average depth.
5. 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 am. That’s because temperatures are usually cooler, which means it’s less likely the water will evaporate before reaching the roots.

Related: What temperature is too hot to water grass?

Watering tips for different types of grass.

The amount of water, frequency and duration depends on whether you have warm- or cool-season grass.

Source: Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California

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 the 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, then 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 it needs 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 types of watering techniques:

• 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 the water to seep out slowly. They are easy to use, and you can move them around to water the 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 help take care of your lawn for you.

Related: How much do lawn services cost?

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.