How to Keep Your Lawn Green During a Drought

Watering time is as critical to your success as the amount of water you are applying to the turf grass. You should always try to water your grass in the early morning right before or after the sun rises. There is an old saying that you should "never put a lawn to bed wet." There are several reasons why you should water in the early morning:

• Watering during extreme heat can cause leaf scorch during hot and dry conditions
• Water can increase the causes for disease and help to spread disease if the grass leaves are not able to dry off
• Wet turf grass plants can develop an unhealthy condition or root problems when not allowed to dry properly
• You are less likely to have interference with people and pets when watering early in the day.

The key to watering is to only water when necessary. Once you “train” grass to expect daily watering, the grass will then show drought stress even more quickly than normal. Watering everyday when it is not needed will only create a turf that is not healthy and is dependant on water. Established lawns should be watered less frequently, but deeply, instead of watering everyday. This will use less water, and also strengthen the grass in your lawn.

From: Tips and Traps for Growing and Maintaining the Perfect Lawn
Rodney Johns
635.9642 JOH - Euless Public Library