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Watering your lawn in summer
The best answer is to try not to water your lawn and let nature take its course, but when the weather is not playing ball, you may need to give your grass a helping hand. We know it may be hotter than ever these summer days in the U.K., but we don’t think you need to run out and grab the hose pipe every time we get a few days of sun.
Your lovely grass has the magic power of going to sleep when it becomes very dry—unlike most other plants—and will come alive when moisture levels increase. However, it’s important to look after your lawn and ensure it gets the water it needs during longer periods of hot weather!
When should you water grass in summer?
Watering grass in summer is important when dealing with drought conditions or long dry spells. A good way to tell if your grass has taken a hit due to drought conditions is if it fails the ‘Bounce Back Test’. This test is when grass stays flat after it has been stepped on rather than bouncing back, which is due to the grass losing water and the blades becoming less ridged and starting to wilt. So, watering your lawn during these conditions will encourage a quicker recovery from damage, and your grass will grow greener once temperatures return to normal!
How often do you water grass in summer?
We recommend you water infrequently during drought conditions, but give the grass a good soak when you do. By infrequently, we mean allowing the soil to get really dry and the grass to get thirsty with even a little yellow tinge, which has failed our ‘Bounce Back Test’.
Top tips for lawn watering in drought conditions
- Water between 7 -14 days apart
- Soak the lawn - You should see minor puddles on the surface
- Water the grass during cooler periods - evening or nighttime
- Avoid watering during hot periods of the day – most of the water will evaporate
- With lawn areas that don’t get much sun, don’t soak them as much.
Why is rain better for grass than tap water
A common question we hear from time to time, and the answer is that rainwater is better due to the very nature of our planet’s climate - it is much more nutritious than tap water as it contains higher nitrogen levels – and it’s free! If you can’t let nature take its course, consider getting a watering butt to collect rainwater throughout the year and spread it on the lawn with a watering can when required.
Watering your lawn correctly in the warmer months
Did you know that if you water your lawn either regularly or lightly, shallow grass roots may be produced, which causes increased stress on the grass in times of drought? Too much water also encourages weed growth and a greater chance of disease. So, as mentioned before, it’s better to give your lawn a good soaking once a week rather than watering it lightly every day.
We have included some further reading below to help you keep your lawn in top shape this summer: