Springtime is here, which means it is time to break out the lawnmowers and water hoses and start caring for your lawn. If you don’t have a green thumb, you may wonder when to water your grass for the first time. The answer depends on several factors.
Is Winter Really Over
The first day of spring does not always mean goodbye to winter weather. If you live in the midwest, you may have noticed that spring doesn’t seem to stick around until mid-April. Before that time, the weather tends to fluctuate between warm and cold, sometimes within a few days.
Watering your grass when it is frozen can cause damage. Additionally, attaching a water hose to an outside bib during cold weather can cause your pipes to freeze and burst. Therefore, it is best to delay watering your lawn until the ground has thawed and the temperatures are consistently above freezing.
Is the Weather Dry
Depending on where you are located, spring often brings plenty of precipitation from mother nature. Most cool-season lawns require about 1 inch of water per week. So, if the rainfall in your region is enough to keep your grass hydrated, you can save the watering for the drier months.
How Much Water Does Your Grass Need
Proper grass maintenance requires understanding the type of grass you are growing and what it needs to stay healthy. Cool-season grasses such as fescue and Kentucky bluegrass will require at least 1 to 1.5 inches of rain per week. Contrastly, warm-season grasses such as Bermuda and zoysia require less water.
If you are unsure of the type of grass you have, you may be able to identify your grass type using this guide from Scotts.
