Texas lawns have been dealing with extreme heat and drought conditions this summer. As we all know, watering is a crucial part of lawn care to maintain a healthy, green lawn. But when Texas homeowners are dealing with intense heat and strict water restrictions, what can you do? Lawn Tech is here to help. We’ve compiled lawn watering tips to help your lawn survive the summer drought along with some information on our new add-on service, Stress Helper.
Lawn Watering Tips for a Healthy Lawn
When watering your lawn during summer, it’s important to know the amount of water actually making it into the root systems. Run-off and evaporation lead to water waste and expensive utility bills. It’s recommended to always check in on your irrigation systems to measure output and find the most efficient watering schedule. Also, look out for areas in your lawn that sprinkler heads may not be reaching.
The Best Time of Day to Run Your Irrigation System
Texas heat during the summer months can be the culprit to a lot of bad news on your lawn. The best time of day to water is always in the morning before the sun starts beating down. This is normally between about 5 AM to 10 AM. Watering during the peak heat of the day can lead to evaporation before the water can soak into the root systems. Soils can also become hydrophobic, meaning water can bead up on the surface and result in runoff and water waste. Less water on your lawn means weaker roots, weaker defense, and all-around bad news for any type of turfgrass.
Lawn Care Tips for a Drought-Tolerant Landscape
Homeowners in Texas are no strangers to watering restrictions, especially during the drought conditions this summer. Water restrictions make lawn care difficult but making a few smart choices can help. If able, consider switching to a more drought-resistant turfgrass, such as zoysia. There are also various drought-resistant plants that can be replaced in your landscaping. Additionally, annual aeration will always help improve your lawn’s drought resistance. You can also bag your grass clippings after mowing and mulch them back into the lawn. These small changes can help in surviving Texas heat and periods of drought.
How to Water Your Lawn Under Water Restrictions
Needless to say, efficiency is key when dealing with strict water restrictions throughout Texas. The normal recommended watering schedule is around three times per week, aiming for a total of 1.5 inches of water. If restrictions limit you to watering twice a week, or even once, extend your watering sessions as much as possible. Longer, infrequent waterings are always more beneficial than short daily spurts. Longer watering sessions encourage deeper root growth. You can also try the “Cycle and Soak” technique to limit water runoff. When you are able to water, always do it in the morning.
Managing Drought Stress in Your Texas Lawn
Texas lawns dealing with drought stress may benefit from Lawn Tech’s Stress Helper application. The add-on service is a one-time application that can help combat the drought damage we’re seeing this season. By combining a bio-stimulant and wetting agent, the service will help protect important parts of the grass plant, improve recovery time, and reduce runoff from hydrophobic soil. The goal is to maximize efficiency and protect the crown and root mass of grass, giving your lawn a better ability to recover when rainfall returns. The application is a liquid broadcast application that will last in the soil for about 28 days. Contact our team today to learn more about Stress Helper for drought-stressed lawns.