There are many things to consider when irrigating a home lawn or commercial site. Most notably is that additional water can help turfgrass in some situations, but too much of it will cause more damage than good.
Don't Start Too Early
Lawn irrigation is unnecessary until the turfgrass has broken dormancy and starts to turn green. Irrigating when the lawn is dormant or not actively growing will not help the plant.
Ensure Irrigation Systems Work Properly
During irrigation startup, ensure all the heads cover the proper areas that should be watered and are not spraying onto the driveway or street. Also, ensure the heads are at proper depth such that the nozzle clears the soil and plant material and provides an even distribution of water. If an irrigation head is not spraying correctly, look to replace the nozzle due to flow issues or a lack of movement in the spray pattern.
Check Irrigation System Programs and Frequency
It is also a good time to run through the irrigation program and make sure the irrigation box has a program that meets the needs of the yard. If the yard is over three months old, it should be on a maintenance program and only watering as needed. Cool-season lawns comprised of Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, and/or fine fescues generally need about an inch of water per week. It is best if this water is spread out over the week, allowing the soil to soak the water into the profile between watering events. If your lawn received an inch or more of rainfall, irrigation efforts can usually be shut off for that week. Established yards rarely need more than one inch of water per week; adding extra water will saturate soils, limit plant growth, produce thatch, and increase disease susceptibility.
Aeration and Fertilization Reduce Irrigation Needs
In addition to proper watering, aeration and fertilization can help limit the need to irrigate a lawn. Aeration once per year will reduce compaction, which will allow rainfall to enter the soil instead of running off. New construction benefits from aeration each spring and fall for the first couple of years to loosen the soil compacted by machinery.
Applications of slow-release fertilizer at the correct rate and time will help strengthen the roots and control the growth of the plant, thus making a stronger plant, which allows more time between waterings. Consult a professional turfgrass lawn care applicator to learn more about fertilizer application.
Adjust Mowing Practices
Mowing adjustments can also help limit the frequency of watering. A sharp mower blade will result in a cleaner cut, which in turn will use less water. Also, a mowing height over 3 inches will result in deeper rooting and a subsequent reduction in plant stress and water use.
A Home Lawn is Not a Golf Course - Don't Treat it That Way!
There are differences in managing turfgrass on a golf course or athletic field that may necessitate irrigation, while your yard may not need additional water. Golf course putting greens and sports fields are often constructed with sand-based rootzones, which tolerate traffic and drain rapidly, but they do not hold as much water. The mowing height and traffic from play can also increase water requirements. Additionally, turfgrass managers may utilize irrigation to move fertilizer, soil surfactants, or pesticides into the soil. The source of irrigation water is also important. While home lawns are generally on city water, golf courses often have an irrigation pond on site, which collects and utilizes rainwater. There will be times you see a golf course or athletic field watering when your yard does not need any additional water to thrive.
Plants don’t waste water – people do. If you have an irrigation system, ensure that you can make in-season adjustments and understand when and how long it will run.
More Information
- Watering Home Lawns
- Using Sprinklers in the Landscape and Garden
- Watering Tips for the Garden, Lawn, and Landscape
- Lawn and Turfgrass Resources for Iowa
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