Lawn Watering Facts & Tips

  • Watering early in the morning puts less strain on public water supplies because the peak demand is during the evening. In addition, if watering is done in the evening, grass stays wet all night which increases the risk of disease.
  • It's best to water established lawns at the rate of 1 inch per week - applied all at 1-time to promote deep roots. Frequent light watering produces shallow roots and plants unable to tolerate dry periods.
  • To promote deep roots and lawns that tolerate dry conditions, mow grass no shorter than two inches. Taller grass shades the soil, reducing evaporation.
  • Promote deep root growth through a combination of proper watering, aeration, appropriate fertilization, and attention to grass height. A lawn with deep roots requires less water and is more resistant to drought and diseases.
  • Mulch around plants, bushes, and trees to help soil retain moisture.
  • Plant in the spring or fall when watering requirements are lower.
  • Use chemicals wisely. Proper fertilizing promotes deep roots and drought tolerance. Improper fertilizing can have the opposite effect. Don't fertilize dry lawns - high concentrations of nutrients draw moisture out of the soil.
  • Established, healthy lawns can survive several weeks of dormancy during summer with little or no water.
  • Don't mow during the heat of the day, especially when conditions are dry. Newly cut grass loses water quickly.
  • Control weeds to reduce competition for soil moisture. This can be done by hand or with careful use of herbicides.
  • Learn to live with temporary periods where your lawn is brown. A few weeks of dormancy will not hurt the roots of a healthy lawn.
  • Aerate your lawn to improve water penetration and reduce runoff. Careless watering causes runoff, which can waste water and carry soil, waste, and pollutants into storm sewers, which empty into nearby streams and lakes.
  • Don't over water your lawn. Only water every three to five days in the summer.
  • To prevent water loss, don't water your lawn when it is windy.
  • Use a broom, rather than a hose, to clean sidewalks and driveways.
  • On average, 50 to 70% of home water is used outdoors for watering lawns and gardens. In Lakeville, approximately 50% of the water pumped annually, or 1 billion gallons, ends up being used outdoors.
  • Of all the earth's water, 97% is salt water found in oceans and seas, 2% is frozen, and only 1% is available for drinking water.
  • There is the same amount of water today as there was 100 years ago - or 3 billion years ago. Because the demands on the water supply continue to grow, but the supply doesn't, everyone needs to make an effort to use water wisely.