Are You Watering Your Lawn at the Wrong Time?
It’s easy to think that watering your lawn is as simple as turning on the sprinkler whenever the grass looks dry or whenever you remember. I’ve been guilty of that myself. But the time of day that you water your lawn actually makes a big difference. Not just for how green your grass looks, but for how healthy it stays, how much water you waste, and even how much money you spend. If you’ve never really paid attention to what time of day you’re watering your lawn, what I have to say might surprise you.
Morning Really Is Best
You’ve probably heard this before, and we can confirm it’s true. Early morning, like between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m., is the sweet spot for watering. The air is cooler and the wind is usually calmer, so the water has time to sink down into the soil instead of evaporating. I used to water at lunchtime (because that’s when I remembered), but most of that water was gone before the roots had time to absorb. Getting it done in the morning gives your lawn a fighting chance, especially during the hotter months.
Why Night Watering Sounds Good But Isn’t
But why do so many people water their lawns at night? Night watering seems like it has benefits: cooler temperatures and no sun mean more time for the water to soak in, right? But the problem is that the grass stays wet all night, and that’s a recipe for disease. Things that make brown patches, like mold and fungus, love that damp darkness. If your sprinklers go off at 10pm every night, but your lawn is still looking brown and patchy, this might be your problem. Watering at night won’t kill your lawn, but it’ll definitely weaken it.
Check Your Sprinkler Settings
Even if you’ve got your watering times right, it’s worth checking your sprinkler system. Sometimes systems get set to weird times without you noticing, like early evening or even in the middle of the night. Mine ran a 2 a.m. cycle for a full month without me realizing because I didn’t think to check the default programming after a power outage! A quick look at your controller might reveal a lot. If it’s automated, make sure the sprinkler system is running in the morning when it’ll do your grass the most good.
Not Every Lawn Needs the Same Amount
Here’s something people don’t talk about enough: lawns have preferences. Shade, soil type, grass variety, and even how often you mow affects how much water your lawn needs. You might be soaking your lawn every day, thinking you’re doing it a favor, but if it’s not what your lawn wants, you could actually be drowning it. Switch to a deeper watering just a couple times a week, and your lawn will look better than ever. Less can be more, depending on the lawn. You just have to pay attention!
What Rain (and Gutters) Might Be Telling You
It sounds silly, but your lawn might be getting more water than you think! If your gutters pour out onto one side of the yard, or you’ve had a few extra surprise rain showers, you may be overdoing it without realizing. Too much water can be just as bad as too little; it suffocates the roots and attracts pests. Try walking your yard after a storm and seeing where puddles linger. Avoid these wet spots and adjust where and when to water next.
It's Not Just About Green Grass
At the end of the day, watering isn’t just about keeping things looking nice. It’s about treating your lawn with care and not wasting a precious resource like water. We all want a green, luscious yard, but if you’re not sure when or how much to water, it’s going to take some trial and error. The good news is, it’s easy to adjust. A few small changes, like switching up the time of day you water, can make a big difference. You’ll see the progress in no time!