Watering in the morning (before 10 a.m.) is the best time for your lawn; it’s cooler and winds tend to be calmer so water can soak into the soil and be absorbed by the grass roots before it can evaporate. Many bacterial and fungal diseases rely on wet foliage for reproduction and to spread. Summer time in the cool season lawn: it’s the smell of barbecue smoke, the sound of an impact sprinkler and the feeling of soft green grass under bare feet. Aerated soil reduces puddling and disease while moving precious water into lower areas of soil where roots can absorb the water. According to Kao, water vapor migrates upward during the day and downward at night. It’s better for the lawn to water heavily and less frequently, than to lightly mist it every day. According to Kao, keeping grass and garden plants well nourished, and maintaining a high ratio of organic material in the soil, should also increase the ability of the lawn, garden and soil to retain and utilize water. The a.m. is the best time to water the lawn because the air is cooler and there’s usually not much wind to blow the droplets. During spring and summer, lawns must endure afternoon heat stress because most grass species grow best in full-sunlight locations. Morning, between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., is the most efficient time to water your lawn. Kao never waters his own lawn but keeps it green by mowing the grass and providing natural fertilizers with a high organic content. Pop-up sprinkler heads should run about 30 – 40 minutes. Aeration also reduces the thatch layer, allowing healthy water absorption during morning irrigation. In hot, dry weather, water shrubs and flowers daily. Winston Kao is an agricultural scientist, entrepreneur and educator from Clearwater, Florida, and owner of "Go Beyond organic." Help your grass endure the long, afternoon sunlight by irrigating your lawn in early morning. For each assigned day of watering, water your lawn 3 times a day, 4 minutes each watering. Watering lawn in the evening, you are to be sure the moisture absorbs. If water use is restricted or cost-prohibitive for you, your lawn can go dormant without harming it. The liquid will evaporate too quickly and may not reach your grass’s roots, so heat and irrigation shouldn’t go together. By watering your lawn at night, when water collects on grass and leaves, much less water is lost to evaporation. Morning irrigation efforts keep grass strong for natural pest resistance, which means you don't have to rely on spraying harmful pesticides across your yard. Unfortunately, as simple as lawn watering is in practice, many lawn owners get it wrong. The absorbed water helps grass retain its green hue and upright posture throughout the day. If there are dry spots, you may need to modify your irrigation techniques. How much should you water your lawn? Kao’s own lawn utilizes water so efficiently that he doesn’t water at all. Check several locations to see if irrigation is even throughout the yard. The blog also notes that early evening watering gives plants a bit of time to absorb water and dry out a bit before night falls. So, 20 minutes, three times per week will give a lawn about an inch of water. Isn’t it so satisfying to gulp down a tall glass of water first thing in the morning? By watering your lawn at night, when water collects on grass and leaves, much less water is lost to evaporation. Learn more about the cycle-and-soak method of landscape irrigation. Watering lawn in morning or afternoon is helpful during the colder months because if a particularly cold night is ahead, daytime watering allows time for the moisture to move into the soil to protect the grass from frost damage. Prefabricated Homes / Systems Built Homes / Modular Homes. How Long to Water Your Lawn. Kao has discovered that night lawn watering enables grass to utilize water far more efficiently. "Water your lawn at night," agricultural researcher Winston Kao said in a recent interview on the Sharon Kleyne Hour Power of Water radio show. If you water your lawn too much in summer it will begin to turn yellow and grow fungus and weeds. The best time of day to water your lawn is when air temperatures are lower and there is dew on the ground. Morning, around 6 to 8 a.m., is the best time to water. Why Morning Is the Best Time to Water Plants in Summer. The result can include the spread of fungal disease like Red Thread, the shallow rooting of grass, the onset of moss, and the infestation of weeds and weed grasses.. Temperatures are usually at their lowest during the late evening or early morning. Compacted soil and a thick thatch layer of decaying stems and foliage hinder water absorption and may contribute to puddling on grass turf's surface. Watering at any time of day is better than not watering at all. By watering your lawn wisely, you can conserve a precious resource and save money on your water bill. We can list links to a half a dozen articles on the subject that all provide different even conflicting advice. If you have a summer thunderstorm or an extended period with no rain, you may need to adjust your watering time. Rotating sprinklers should run … About half the water used at home is used outside, and most of that is for watering lawns. While a lot of lawn care experts will tell you to water your grass in the morning or evening, new research shows otherwise. Watering in the morning is the best time because the temperatures are the lowest this time of day. Photosynthesis is only possible in daylight and productivity peaks in the morning and evening. Even in the evenings, the wind can be stronger and the temperatures are much warmer which can cause more evaporation. Scott's: Lawn Watering Tips - When is the Best Time to Water your Lawn? Aerating soil by removing 1- to 2-inch long soil cores from the ground rejuvenates grass by providing better access to moisture and oxygen. The best time to water your lawn is in the early morning hours. When should you water plants and trees on a hot day? To truly want to cut back on water … If you water lawn at night in summer, the lack of evaporation provides time for the pathogens to infiltrate your grass. While there are many answers to this question, the truth is – it depends. Schedule start times at least one hour apart. "A wet lawn at night is the perfect condition for fungus to grow. When to Water. For example, soggy soil reduces oxygen supplies and causes grass stress. It’s recommended to water lawns between 4 pm and 6 pm. There are several factors to consider when gauging the how long and when to water your lawn. Lawn grass, and all other green plants, live by combining water and carbon dioxide in a process called photosynthesis to manufacture sugar, which they burn for energy. The best time of day to water your lawn is before 10 a.m., or between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Be sure not to ever water your lawn at night when the moisture will linger until morning. Irrigate your lawn less often. A wet lawn at night, on a regular basis, can lead to fungus and disease problems. On average, it will take 30 minutes to get a half inch of water. Spring Is the Best Time to Seed. WATERING YOUR LAWN – WHEN AND HOW LONG? Watering in the early-morning hours is most effective; watering in the evening could encourage disease or pests. Vulcan Termite: Summer Lawn Watering Tips for a Pest-Free Yard. Morning watering allows time for evaporation and soil absorption, keeping foliage dry overnight. 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