Should I Be Watering My Lawn at Night and Other Questions

 


Even the most diligent lawn caretaker doesn’t have all the answers. Whether it’s mowing, watering, or other cultural practices, it is important to appropriately care for your lawn to ensure fertilization treatments have an ideal growing environment.

Should I be watering my lawn at night?

At night, temperatures drop and the lack of sunlight prevents water from evaporating off of grass blades. Moisture is retained on soil and grass, encouraging rot, disease, and fungus to proliferate. Lawns prefer to drink deeply but infrequently, and sustained, excessive dampness is counterproductive to healthy growth.

While there is not a “one-size-fits-all” approach to proper lawn maintenance, watering a lawn at night is typically not recommended. For lawns with areas of deep shade, it is especially important to not water at night, as decreased sunlight during the day leaves moisture on turf even longer. Instead, early morning is typically the best time to water your lawn. Cooler temperatures prior to the heat of the day allow lawns time to absorb water, while higher temperatures and increased sunlight later in the day dry off grass blades, preventing standing water and excessive dampness.

How often should I mow?

Correct mowing serves as the foundation to a healthy lawn. As a general rule of thumb, you should mow high, giving your grass an opportunity to grow after each mowing. Consistently mowing a lawn before it has a chance to grow will stunt root growth, decreasing grass’s ability to efficiently absorb water and nutrients. When mowing a lawn, no more than one third of the plant should be cut off. While optimal mowing heights vary depending on turf type, mowing no more than one third of the grass blades could mean mowing more frequently to maintain proper height.

What height should my grass grow to?

The suggested height at which to mow your lawn varies by turf type. Generally, cool season lawns should be mowed higher than warm season lawns. For tall fescue, ryegrass, bluegrass, and St. Augustine grass, set your mower to a height of three inches. Centipede grass and common Bermuda grass perform best when mowed to a height of two and a half inches. Zoysia grass should be mowed to two inches, while hybrid Bermuda grass should be mowed short, to one inch.

Should I be watering my lawn at night?

At night, temperatures drop and the lack of sunlight prevents water from evaporating off of grass blades. Moisture is retained on soil and grass, encouraging rot, disease, and fungus to proliferate. Lawns prefer to drink deeply but infrequently, and sustained, excessive dampness is counterproductive to healthy growth.

While there is not a “one-size-fits-all” approach to proper lawn maintenance, watering a lawn at night is typically not recommended. For lawns with areas of deep shade, it is especially important to not water at night, as decreased sunlight during the day leaves moisture on turf even longer. Instead, early morning is typically the best time to water your lawn. Cooler temperatures prior to the heat of the day allow lawns time to absorb water, while higher temperatures and increased sunlight later in the day dry off grass blades, preventing standing water and excessive dampness.

What time of day should I mow my lawn?

Mowing in the mid-morning is likely the best time to mow your lawn, after the evening dew has evaporated. Mowing in the mid-morning allows grass blades time to heal prior to the following evening dew, preventing freshly cut blades from readily accepting lawn diseases promoted by increased moisture.

When should I plant new seed?

Whether you’re starting a lawn from scratch, filling in bare patches, or overseeding for a more lush lawn, there is an optimal time to apply fresh seed to your lawn to achieve best results. For cool season lawns featuring fescue blends, ryegrass, or Kentucky bluegrass, fall’s cool temperatures offer the best opportunity for seeding. Warm season grasses like zoysia grass, St. Augustine, and Bermuda grass should actually be sprigged, taking healthy plugs of established grass and inserting them into the lawn. This process is best completed in the spring.

Our skilled technicians are here to help with any and all lawn care questions. For additional guidance, browse NaturaLawn® of America’s online lawn care tips. Together, you and your service team can create a greener, healthier lawn.

 

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