How Often Should You Water Your Lawn and Plants?

With summer here, lawn and landscape maintenance are in full swing.

Your lawn and plants need essentials such as sunlight and water to thrive and knowing how often to water each part of your landscape is crucial to maintaining its vibrant health.

Watering the lawn

While rain is the best natural way to water your lawn, the frequency and volumes are unpredictable. Therefore, you’ll want to supplement the rain with your sprinkler or hose to provide the proper hydration that your lawn needs. Grass is typically resilient and can survive for weeks without water, but if it hasn’t rained much lately or if the green color of the grass seems dull, it probably needs some.

Start by testing the ground for moisture. Stick a screwdriver down into different spots in the lawn. If you can push it in easily and the ground feels soft, your lawn probably does not need water yet. You’ll also want to be aware of the soil type you have. Clay soil holds moisture longer than sandy soil, which aids in drainage and may need less water over time. This will help you adjust your watering schedule accordingly.

Watering the lawn in the morning is the optimal time.

This gives the grass time to absorb the moisture into its roots before it evaporates as the day gets warmer. Typically, 1 to 1.5 inches is the right amount of water. You can measure this by placing a couple empty tuna cans at random spots in the yard. Once the cans are full, you’ve watered sufficiently.

Special watering timers are also effective for measuring. These are digital devices that hook right on to your water source and control specific amounts of water for the size of your yard. Various models are available at local hardware stores and installation is quick and easy.

How and when to water plants

Healthy plants provide an attractive detail to any landscape. Just like your lawn, plants will need proper watering and sunlight will help them thrive.

Check the soil that the plant is sitting in. If it looks and feels damp to the touch, then you don’t need to water it just yet. If the soil feels dry or rocky, however, water the plant at the base where it meets the soil, and let it soak in until the soil is saturated. Once you see a thin layer of water pooling atop the soil surface, you’re good to go.

Be careful not to over-saturate, as too much water can drown the plant and rot the roots.

These are just a few steps to keep your lawn and plants healthy and vibrant all summer. For more great gardening tips, visit our website or call us at 815-288-7841.

Ace Hardware & Outdoor Center

900 N Galena Ave

Dixon, IL 61021