A beautiful, lush lawn is a point of pride for many Australian homeowners. To keep your lawn looking healthy and vibrant, it’s essential to water it correctly. The amount of water your lawn needs will depend on the type of grass you have and the stage of its growth. In this article, we’ll discuss how much water different grass types require, how often to water your lawn throughout the different seasons, and offer tips on how to water your lawn effectively.
Watering Different Grass Types
At Australian Lawn Concepts, we offer several different types of grass, including Zoysia turf, Buffalo turf, and Couch turf. Each type of grass has different watering requirements. Here’s a breakdown of how much water each type of grass needs:
Zoysia Turf
Zoysia turf is a drought-tolerant grass that can thrive in full sun or light shade. However, it still needs regular watering to stay healthy. When first installed, water your Zoysia turf every day for the first two weeks.
After that, you can reduce watering to every two to three days. During the summer months, you may need to water your Zoysia turf more frequently to prevent it from drying out.
Buffalo Turf
Buffalo turf is also a drought-tolerant grass that can grow in a variety of soil types. While it needs more water than Zoysia turf to stay healthy, the process is much the same during the initial period. When first installed, water your Buffalo turf every day for the first two weeks.
After that, you can reduce watering to every two to three days. During the summer months, you may need to water your Buffalo turf more frequently.
Couch Turf
Couch turf is a fast-growing grass that can handle heavy foot traffic. It needs more water than both Zoysia and Buffalo turf to stay healthy, though once again requires the same initial watering method. When first installed, water your Couch turf every day for the first two weeks.
After that, you can reduce watering to every two to three days. During the summer months, you may need to water your Couch turf every day to prevent it from drying out.
Watering Throughout the Seasons
How long to water your lawn will also vary depending on the time of year. Here’s a breakdown of how much to water your lawn throughout the different seasons.
Spring
In spring, your lawn will start to grow more rapidly. Water your lawn once or twice a week, depending on the weather conditions.
Summer
During the summer months, your lawn will be under stress from the heat. Water your lawn two to three times a week, making sure to water deeply so that the water reaches the roots.
Autumn
In autumn, your lawn will start to slow down its growth. Water your lawn once or twice a week, depending on the weather conditions.
Winter
In winter, your lawn will be in a state of dormancy. You won’t need to water your lawn as frequently, but you should still water it each week to prevent it from drying out.
Watering Newly Installed Lawns
Newly installed lawns require special care and attention when it comes to watering. Here are some tips on how to water a newly installed lawn:
- Water frequently: During the first week or two after installation, you should water your lawn every day to keep the soil consistently moist.
- Gradually reduce watering: Over the next few weeks, gradually reduce watering to every other day, then every third day, and so on. This will help the roots establish themselves in the soil.
- Water deeply: When you do water, make sure to water deeply. This will encourage the roots to grow deep into the soil.
- Avoid foot traffic: Try to avoid walking on your newly installed lawn as much as possible as this can damage the delicate roots.
How to Water Your Lawn Effectively
Now that you know how much water your lawn needs and when to water lawns, let’s talk about how to do it effectively.
Water In The Morning
The best time to water your lawn is in the early morning before the sun gets too hot. This allows the water to soak into the soil and reach the roots of the grass before it evaporates. Watering in the early morning also helps prevent the growth of fungus and other diseases that can occur if your lawn stays wet for too long.
If you can’t water in the early morning, the next best time to water is in the late afternoon or early evening. However, be careful not to water too late, as this can lead to lawn diseases.
Water Deeply
When you water your lawn, make sure to water deeply so that the water reaches the roots. This will help your lawn develop a strong root system and make it more drought-tolerant. It’s better to water deeply and infrequently than to water shallowly and frequently.
Use The Right Equipment
To water your lawn effectively, you’ll need the right equipment. A sprinkler system or a hose with a sprinkler attachment will work. If you’re using a hose, make sure it’s long enough to reach all areas of your lawn.
Water Evenly
Make sure to water your lawn evenly, so that all parts of the lawn get the same amount of water. This will help prevent uneven growth and brown spots.
Don’t Water Before Mowing
It’s best to wait until after you’ve mowed your lawn to water it. This allows the grass to dry out a bit before watering, which can help prevent disease. Mowing a wet lawn can also cause damage and is generally a more difficult task than when the grass is dry.
Be Mindful Of Water Restrictions
Depending on where you live, there may be water restrictions in place. Make sure to follow these restrictions and adjust your watering schedule accordingly. If your area is in drought and restrictions have been placed on your water usage, consider drought-resistant grass strains or install water tanks and use your own rainwater wherever possible.
Check if Your Lawn Needs Water
Before you water your lawn, it’s important to check if it actually needs it. Overwatering can be just as damaging to your lawn as underwatering, so it’s important to find the right balance. If you see water pooling on the surface or your lawn feels spongy, you’re watering too much.
An obvious indicator that your lawn needs water is if it is looking dry or brown. Other signs to look for include wilted or folded leaves, and footprints that stay visible for a long time.
Stick a screwdriver or trowel into the soil to see how far it goes in. If it easily goes in 6 inches or more, your soil has enough moisture. If it only goes in a few inches, your lawn needs water.
A rain gauge can help you track how much rain your lawn is receiving. If your lawn hasn’t received at least an inch of water in a week, it’s time to water it.
Keep Your Lawn Healthy And Beautiful
Looking for more lawn care tips or specific turf products? Get in touch with us today at 07 5541 7000 to discuss your lawn needs.