Experts Agree: This Is the Best Time of Day to Water Your Lawn

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There's a lot to think about when it comes to your yard: deciding on your landscaping style, planting grass, making sure it's fertilized properly, and of course your mowing schedule. But none of that will really matter unless you know how to keep your grass green and properly hydrated.

Sure, you could wait for Mother Nature to take her course. Letting the rain soak into the soil is the easiest and most natural way to water your lawn. But, the weather can be unpredictable, and many plant hardiness zones across the U.S. are naturally hot and dry anyway. So, most people end up watering their lawns to keep them consistently lush and green.

When is the best time of day to water your lawn? And how often should you do it? There are a lot of factors involved including the type of climate, soil, and grass where you live. But it turns out, the general answers are fairly straightforward and most experts agree on the basics. So before you invest in an irrigation system and turn on your sprinklers, see what the professionals suggest.

When is the best time to water a lawn?

"Early morning is the best time to water," explains Dr. Gary R. Bachman of Michigan State University in his writings on the subject. "The air is cooler, and the soil can absorb water before the heat of the day."

Try to water before 10 a.m. if possible. "Watering during the middle of the day is not very efficient, as some of the water evaporates before it can do any good," he notes. This is particularly useful in areas with municipal watering restrictions where conservation is of the utmost importance.

Is it better to water your lawn at night or in the morning?

Since the heat of the day causing water evaporation is the main reason you want to water in the morning, you're probably wondering about the evening. The lawn care experts at Scotts advise, "If you must water in the evening, try between 4 and 6 p.m. which should give the grass blades time to dry before nightfall." However they warn, "The later you water, the greater chance of disease becoming prevalent in your lawn." That is why morning is ideal.

How often should you water your lawn?

"Many common recommendations suggest applying one to one and a half inches of water per week," Dr Bachman recommends. "This doesn't mean spread across seven days, but rather in one or two irrigations per week. Slow and steady wins the race." Also, pay attention to the weather. You'll have to water less (or perhaps not at all) on rainy weeks. Ideally, the top six to eight inches of soil should be wet.

How do you know when to water your lawn?

"I have learned that observation and experience are needed for keeping your landscape plants alive during a long, hot and dry summer," notes Dr. Bachman. "Too much water encourages root rot problems; too little water leaves plants wilted and lifeless." Dry, yellowing patches or dull green in general are two obvious signs that your grass needs some hydration.

If you're doubting your powers of sight observation, try this trick from Scotts: "Check your lawn by walking on it. If your footprints don't disappear quickly, it's because the grass blades don't have the needed moisture to spring back." Of course, the Scotts experts also advises that you don't always have to water your lawn! "Established and properly cared-for lawns can survive weeks without water by going dormant (when the lawn turns brown), then recover once the rain returns."

Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed

Aqua Joe Metal Base Oscillating Sprinkler

Scotts Green Max Lawn Food Fertilizer

Black+Decker 2-in-1 Landscape Edger and Trencher

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