If you value a vital, lush green lawn, you have to ensure optimal watering. There are a few things that can go wrong. Watering the lawn regularly is a good option.

In a nutshell

  • Don't wait too long to water the lawn
  • Water supply at appropriate intervals, at the right time of day and in the right amount
  • Proper watering ensures healthy growth and saves water
  • Lawn weeds and moss can spread in poorly watered lawns

How often and for how long to blast?

On a normal summer day, up to four liters of water per square meter of lawn evaporate. Since lawn grass tends to have shallow roots, they hardly get enough water and wither. If you only water when drought damage is already visible, it is usually too late, because withered grass does not recover.

  • spray the lawn regularly as a preventive measure
  • Sprinkler distributes water more evenly than the garden hose
  • to dose the amount of water better
  • Blow up the lawn at longer intervals, but then plentifully
  • only water a little bit every day, not recommended
  • Irrigate sandy soil for one to two hours every three to four days
  • cannot retain moisture very well
  • everyone else once a week
  • Soil should be soaked to a depth of about 15 cm

A so-called step test can be used to determine whether watering is necessary. You step onto the lawn and if the grass doesn't straighten up on its own, it's time to water.

Tip: Thoroughly watering each time encourages the grasses to form deep roots. This in turn strengthens the grass and, in the long run, makes the lawn less susceptible to dry periods.

The right amount of watering

The amount of water required depends on the type of soil, temperature, humidity and the time of year. The warmer it is, the more water is evaporated and has to be returned. At temperatures of 20 degrees, the evaporation rate is less than two liters per square meter. If they rise to 20-25 degrees, it's already two to three, and at temperatures of 25-30 degrees three to four liters. From 30 degrees, more than five liters of water per square meter evaporate.
Normal garden soil can usually not absorb more than ten liters per hour. On compacted ground, it may be advisable to blast in stages to gradually soften the ground. 10 to 15 liters of water are required for loamy and clayey soils and up to 20 liters for loose sandy soils per square meter and irrigation process. This is the only way to optimally moisten the soil.

Be careful with freshly seeded lawns

With freshly sown lawn seeds you should be a little more careful and not water too much. Since the seeds are not covered with soil, there is a risk that they will be washed away. This in turn makes it difficult to form a dense turf.

  • The frequency and intensity of watering depends on the weather
  • do not work with excessive water pressure
  • top inch of soil should be evenly moist
  • In the first two weeks, depending on the weather, water for about 15 minutes a day
  • twice a day in hot weather
  • Germination after about one to three weeks
  • then extend watering intervals to one to three days
  • Dense turf after eight to twelve weeks

Tip: Until the young grasses have established sufficient roots, the gentler, oscillating sprinklers are particularly suitable for watering.

control the amount of water

With the spade

With a spade, you dig out a square piece of the turf (sod) at an inconspicuous spot on the lawn and use this to measure the moisture penetration.

With rain gauge or flow meter

An alternative is to use a standard rain gauge, which can measure the amount of water per square meter. From this it can also be determined how long the sprinkler has to run for a moisture penetration of about 15 cm. Or you can use a so-called flow rate meter, with which the amount of water can be metered.

With a glass of water

Even a simple water glass can indicate how deep the water has penetrated into the ground. You place it on the lawn to be watered and turn on the sprinkler. After a certain time, the glass is filled several centimeters with water and seeped just as deep into the ground. The sprinkler can be turned off.

Best time of day for watering

At the latest when the first grasses are hanging limp, it is time to water. Regular watering of lawns is usually limited to the summer months and, in regions with little rainfall, also to spring. The right time to irrigate the lawn is crucial, especially in phases of extreme drought.

  • do not water during lunchtime
  • Drops of water would have the effect of a magnifying glass
  • also unsuitable in the evening hours
  • Floor still too hot in the evening
  • Most of the water would immediately evaporate again
  • heavy and compacted soils remain too moist overnight
  • Mold formation could result
  • best time, early in the morning
  • Soil cools down overnight, evaporation significantly less

Tip: In order to improve the air and water content, especially in heavy soils, it is advisable to aerate them regularly.

frequently asked Questions

What happens when lawn grasses get too much water?

Lawn grasses need sufficient water to develop optimally. However, if you water too much, the subsoil becomes waterlogged. This in turn is a good breeding ground for mosses and also attracts snails.

How to water near trees?

In the vicinity of trees or other larger shrubs, there is competition with the lawn for water absorption. The trees absorb large amounts of water from the soil. Consequently, it makes sense to give the lawn an extra portion of water.

Can burnt lawn be saved by watering?

If the grass hasn't dried up completely, you can still try to save it. You should wait for a rainy season and then mow and fertilize the lawn.

Category:

Garden design