Watering the lawn: how often and how long you really should do it
Watering your lawn may seem like a summertime duty, but a lawn is much tougher than you think. That’s why in this article we’ll not only explain when, how often and how long you should water your lawn, but also when you should spend your precious water on plants that really need it.
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Most people water their grass to keep it green. But for the grass itself, that is rarely necessary. It is a strong plant that does not simply die in drought. Instead, grass goes into dormancy – it withers above ground, but remains alive below ground. As soon as rain falls again, it often recovers very quickly.
Don't water out of habit, and certainly not too quickly. That's not only a waste of water, but also weakens your grass. By watering constantly during dry spells, the roots become 'lazy': they don't look for water deeper and wait nicely on the surface until you turn on the sprinkler. This way, the lawn only develops superficially and becomes vulnerable. So only start watering when it has been very dry for at least two to three weeks and the grass is visibly starting to discolour.
During a dry summer, it’s tempting to turn on the sprinkler every day. However, this isn’t necessary for grass. Above ground, it may turn yellow or brown, but life continues below ground. Give it time – grass will recover as soon as the rain returns. It’s better to water other plants in warm weather – vegetables or newly planted flowers need the water more than your lawn.
If you decide to water, do it right. Watering deeply once or twice a week is more effective than watering lightly every day. This encourages the grass to grow deep roots, making it more drought-resistant. Watering every day creates a weak, shallow root system, which means you’ll end up having to water more to keep your lawn green.
The ideal watering time depends on your soil type. As a rule of thumb: give 15 to 20 mm of water per watering.
Clay soil retains water for a long time. Sprinkling once a week for 45 to 60 minutes is usually sufficient. Tip: simply test how much water you give by placing a glass or rain gauge on the grass.
Sandy soil lets water through quickly. Here you can better water twice a week, about 30 minutes each time. Here too: give less often a lot of water, than a little every day.
Grass in the shade grows more slowly and dries out less quickly. In many cases, watering is unnecessary here, unless it is extremely dry. Look for signs of stress (discoloration or bald spots). If you don't see any, you can safely leave the sprinkler off. Too much moisture and too little sun promote the growth of moss in your lawn - which can also be beautiful, green and soft.
Watering in full sun is not harmful to the grass, but it is a waste of water! In the sun, a large part of what you water evaporates. It is better to water early in the morning (between 6 and 9 am) or later in the evening. This way, more water actually reaches the roots and you waste less.
Have you laid new turf? Then daily watering is essential. Do this immediately after laying, and keep the lawn continuously slightly moist for the first two weeks. This gives the roots a chance to establish themselves properly. Even better: lay turf just before a rainy day or a changeable week - this saves a lot of water (and work). As soon as the grass has taken hold, you can switch to the normal routine.
