One of the most important parts of plant health is proper irrigation management. We are experienced in residential and commercial lawn irrigation installation, maintenance and scheduling. With nearly than a half century of golf course knowledge, the Dan’s Green Side Up team is capable of spring start up to the complete winterization of your irrigation system.
Proper irrigation management has the benefit of increasing fertilization efficiency by producing healthier plants. This may help reduce pesticide inputs depending on your local growing environment. Proper watering may reduce or possibly eliminate non-essential irrigation programs you have now. This saves electrical energy and prolongs the life of your irrigation system.
Dr. Ron Calhoun Irrigation Video
Irrigate properly
Adequate watering during summer is the number one factor that determines whether a lawn is green and growing or brown and dormant. Thus, supplemental irrigation is essential during many summers to maintain green, actively growing lawns.
Approximately 1 to 1-1/2 inches of water per week during the growing season is required to maintain green and active growth. Even when turf is watered, the growth slows during summer’s hot, dry days.
When lawns and landscape are properly watered, appearance is maintained and pride of ownership enhanced. In addition, proper irrigation often decreases weed invasion and allows lawn grasses to better tolerate insect and disease pressure. On the other hand, improper irrigation practices–either too much or too little water–can lead to poor lawn grass health and increased weed, insect, and disease problems.
Excessive watering
Too much water is not only wasteful but can also increase turf growth, which requires more frequent mowing. Saturated soil can cause poor soil aeration and, as a result, weaken turf making it vulnerable to diseases and invasions of weeds.
Underwatered
Turf becomes open and sparse, developing a poor appearance and allowing weed invasion.
Effective Lawn Watering
Researchers at Michigan State University have found that the old practice of deep and infrequent watering is not the best system for your lawn. The current recommendation is to water your lawn every day, in the late morning, for 30-45 minutes per area. This will give your lawn about 0.1″ of water per day. You may have to adjust that recommendation according to your personal situation, but actual experience as shown that even watering every other day for 30-45 minutes give better results than soaking the lawn once a week. Also, be ready to adjust the schedule during times of excessive heat or drought.
If you cannot water in the late morning, choose a time that better fits your schedule, but try not to water after dark. Moist, warm and dark conditions will encourage fungal diseases, something you definitely do not want to have happen.
Water uniformly
Lawns need uniform coverage to maintain their vigor and a healthy appearance. Brown spots in a lawn are often due to uneven coverage. Use a sprinkler system that can provide this coverage.
Water when the top two inches of soil have dried out. Use an object such as a screwdriver to probe your soil and measure the depth of the moisture.
Avoid runoff and puddling by adjusting the amount of water applied during each cycle until the desired amount is applied. On compacted or heavy clay soils, aerify the soil so that water can easily move into it.