Most lawns require one to two inches of water
a week. The best way to water, especially to conserve water or
if the lawn is on a slope, is to water for 5 minutes on and 15
minutes off, until the desired amount of water is delivered. This
gives the water a chance to soak in and reduces runoff.
To determine if you are delivering the proper
amount of water, place a few cans around on the lawn to catch
the water. Use something that has straight sides so you get an
accurate measurement. Tall cans can deflect water, so it is best
to use short cans like tuna or cat food cans. Measure the water
in the cans and multiply by the number of times a week you water.
The result is the number of inches of water being delivered every
week. Each can should yield about one to two inches per week depending
on temperature, shade and type of grass. Sunny and warm locations
will need more water. Remember to include any water from rain
in your calculations.
To recap, the best way to water is in the morning,
two to four times a week, in short intervals but enough to thoroughly
soak the ground. A sprinkler system is the best way to deliver
the water because it consistently covers the entire lawn and it
can be programmed to deliver the water when and as frequently
as needed.
