Skip Maine state header navigation
Step two: Watering
| Water is essential for all plants. Lawns need 1.0 to 1.5 inches of water per week during the growing season. Most perennial grasses have the ability to go dormant during dry spells; that is, they turn brown and stop growing. Such grass is very much alive and can survive for weeks until moisture returns. How much watering is enough? |
| Use a
rain gauge to monitor precipitation.
Apply the needed difference.
Do not water everyday. Twice a week is fine using 1/2 of above weekly water allotment. This is important in sandy soil to prevent nitrate in fertilizer from leaching below the root zone. |
Irrigate
slowly and deeply so water soaks into soil.
Avoid runoff; it wastes water and contaminates
nearby water bodies!
Time of day to water. Hours between 6 am and 10 am are best. Avoid night time irrigation; it encourages fungal diseases. |