News Release
July 9, 2007

Landscaping Tips: Keeping ahead of lawn drought

By Scott Hininger, extension educator, UW CES

Kentucky bluegrass, the most common turf grass in Wyoming, will take from 1 to 1 1/2 inches of water per week to keep green and healthy.

A lot of supplemental water is generally required during Wyoming’s long, dry summers, something to consider if starting a new lawn or replacing an old one.

Homeowners wanting a Kentucky bluegrass lawn can still reduce water usage by following a few simple tips. For instance, if a homeowner waters more than 1 to 1 1/2 inches a week, the grass may not use that extra water. There are exceptions, however. If a soil has little water-holding capacity, such as one high in sand, more watering may be necessary.

How much time should a sprinkler be in one place? That generally depends on the type of sprinkler, the size of the area it covers and other factors. Generally, in larger areas, a sprinkler must be left in one place longer. Place a container in different areas of the lawn, and time the sprinkler for 15 minutes. This will determine the amount of water and the coverage of the sprinkler.

It may take 20 minutes to more than an hour per setting to water to a preferred depth of 6 to 10 inches. Check this by using a sharp probe such as a long screwdriver. If the probe is easy to push in, the soil is generally wet enough.

Some people water every morning for 10 minutes. This creates shallow root systems and promotes disease.

Other considerations are soil type and layout of the lawn.  For example, clay soils hold more water than sandy ones; however, water takes longer to penetrate clay than sand. Lawns on the sunny, south sides of homes usually require more water than north-facing lawns that receive more shade.

As temperatures rise, homeowners may need to water two or three times a week. I usually wait until the lawn starts to look dry or, when I walk across it, my footprints show for a short period of time. Then I water.

Avoid watering during the day if the temperature is above 80 degrees. Up to 50 percent and possibly more of the water will evaporate before going into the ground. On really hot days, those above 95 degrees, a 10-minute watering around noon will cool the grass and help it cope with the heat.

Watering is best done early morning when temperatures are cooler and there is less wind.

During cooler periods, when dew is more common, night watering can promote disease. This can happen when moisture is on the grass blades – or on leaves, in the case of shrubs and trees – for more than an hour. Lucky for us, Wyoming has low humidity and fewer plant diseases than many parts of the country.

As the drought continues, everyone can play a part in conservation by reducing unnecessary lawn watering.

There are several informative bulletins on the University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service Web page at http://ces.uwyo.edu/PUBS/Horticulture/Horticulture_Publications_Main.htm.          

They include: B-682R, Keep Ahead of Lawn Drought; B-868, Snow Molds of Turf Grass; B-1070, Low-Maintenance Grasses for Revegetating Disturbed Areas and Lawns; B-1129, Landscaping: Turf in Wyoming; B-1143, Landscaping: Water-Wise Wyoming Gardens; and B-909R, Weed Control in Garden and Lawn.

Contact: Robert Waggener, Editor
Phone: (307) 766-3571
E-mail: robertw@uwyo.edu

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