When to water-- or not

Q: I’m a new homeowner who is trying to figure out a good schedule for watering my lawn. I’m thinking of putting in a sprinkling system since I don’t want to drag the hoses and sprinklers all over the yard. How can I tell when the lawn needs attention? ….Green Thumb WannaB

A: With just a little attention your lawn can have that lush cushion-y look that little kids like to roll around in and adults like to walk barefoot in.

There isn’t one definitive answer as to when to water your lawn. It does depend on the kind of grass you have, the soil underneath it, whether it rained lately, how warm it is, has the sun been out… you get the picture. When you sort it all out though here are a few things to look for. Water your grass when it turns from that healthy shade of green to a bluish transparent color, when the blades begin to curl over, when footprints stay and don’t spring back or you are bored and want to do something that looks constructive.

For established lawns water less frequently but thoroughly each time. If you water a little, more often, it foster weed growth not grass growth. Make sure when you water it reaches all the way to the bottom of the root structure of your grass. If you experience runoff before the roots are soaked, wait a few minutes for the water to absorb and then continue.

The best time of day to water the lawn is early morning, this prevents evaporation by the hot sun and mildew and fungus that can occur from watering in the evening.

Some other important things to remember in caring for your lawn: Mow it as frequently as it needs it, don’t let it grow really long and end up cutting more than half of it at a time. Keep it shorter in the spring when it’s wet and longer in the summer when it’s dry to protect the roots.

Do you think there’s any truth to the expression about the grass being greener on the other side of the fence...

If you just can’t get away from your smart phones there’s an app for keeping your lawn green. Grassmaster advertises they can help you make your lawn look like a golf course with information gathered from Extension Offices from around the country. They teach you how to fertilize, water and treat weeds complete with pictures. The Lawn Care Notebook keeps track of when you water, mow, fertilize and weed, while the Sprinkler Timer claims to take the mystery out of trying to program your sprinkler timer.

So enjoy your lawn and if you go barefoot be sure to watch out for gifts your dogs may have left for you and/or slithering critters that may be enjoying the grass too.

Is there something you’ve always wondered about? Ask Madalyn invites your questions.

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