JB Instant Lawn Blog
Summer Watering
Jun 17th, 2024
Summer is almost here!
In this post we will be touching on a few key points involving Lawn Irrigation - and the importance of summer watering to maintain a healthy lawn.
First and foremost- having a modern, dedicated and automated irrigation system is essential in providing the best results when it comes to your lawn watering needs. Efficiency and timing are the keys to success and having this system in place can not be over-stated.
It is important to understand that there is no 'one approach fits all' to watering lawns- and that no two sites are the same. There are many variables to consider- soil profile, local weather, lawn/turf variety- to name a few- these help determine how often watering is needed.
*Apply only as much water as the lawn actually requires. Over-watering and under-watering lawn areas can lead to problems.
Some examples of overwatering might include- excessive growth, nutrient leaching, shallow rooting, disease and pests, increased weed germination, loss of color and density, wear damage, etc.
Some examples of underwatering might include- Slower growth, loss of color and/or density, burned/damaged turf from heat, etc.
'If your goal is to maintain a dense, green lawn, you will need to water regularly (during extended periods of warmer/drier weather), but certainly not every day.
Watch your turf for signs of drought stress and wilting. Use a screwdriver to poke in the soil in several places to get a feel for how dry the area is. Moist soil is easy to penetrate while dry soil is as hard as concrete. If the turf looks good and the soil is easily penetrated, you can wait a day and check it again before watering.
Lawns need less water to stay green once the days get significantly shorter, about mid-August - you can really reduce watering amount and frequency shortly after Labor Day." Tom Cook - Oregon State University (Turf Guru) - Seasonal adjustment to your irrigation system are essential!
*Last but not least- be sure to consult or work with your local lawn or landscape professional as needed- for more information on products and programs that best fit your lawn watering needs.
No get outside and enjoy the sun, fun and that beautiful green JB lawn!!
About the Author
Ryan Jennings is the Oregon / SW Washington Wholesale Representative for JB Instant Lawn and has 25+ years of Green Industry experience.
After moving to the PNW in 1997- Ryan received an A.S. Degree in Horticulture with focused study on both Turfgrass Management and Arboriculture.
This led Ryan to becoming a GCSAA Class A Superintendent at Mallard Creek 18 hole Championship Golf Course hosting many recognized tournaments- the OPGA Oregon Open 2002 & OGA Tournament of Champions in 2001 among them- and later in his career- a Management/Sales position in landscape contracting.