Grass needs water to grow. But, if you under-water your yard or over-water it, your grass may not thrive. Many homeowners know that watering their lawn is important, but they don't know what time of day they should water their yards, how much water their lawn needs and what signs the lawn will present if it is being over or under-watered. Here is what you need to know about watering your lawn. 

When are the Best Times to Water Your Yard?

It is always best to water your yard in the early morning. When possible, try to water it before 10 a.m. This is when it is coolest out, allowing your grass and soil to absorb the maximum amount of water. If watering in the morning is not a possibility, water between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. This gives your grass the opportunity to soak in the water before the sun goes down. If you water too late, the sun cannot dry up excess water, causing it to sit on your lawn all night. 

How Much Water Does Your Lawn Need? 

Your lawn needs at least one to one and a half inches of water year round. In most cases, this is achieved by watering your lawn for 20 to 30 minutes three times per week. Place a bowl or container in your yard and run your sprinklers for about 20 minutes and see how much water is collected. This will help you determine how quickly your sprinklers water and how long they should be run. 

What are the Signs Your Grass is Being Under or Over-Watered? 

If your lawn is being under-watered, you may notice that it starts to develop a grayish tint to it. From there, it can turn brown and start to develop patches. Your lawn may also be slow to bounce back after you step on it, simply because it isn't healthy enough to do so. Lastly, your soil should always be moist enough to insert a six-inch screwdriver easily into the ground. If you can't insert the screwdriver, your yard is not being watered enough. 

If you are over-watering your yard, your grass will take on a yellow tint. The yellow will eventually give way to brown grass. Additionally, the grass may always look weighed down. Instead of standing up straight, it may be laying on its side or look like it has been pushed over. If you notice puddling in the yard or water draining from the yard onto the sidewalk or street, you are over-watering your yard. 

Keeping grass healthy, green and full is not always an easy process. If your yard is looking brown, bare or spotty, a lawn care service, like us here at Meyers Green Services, can help you. Contact us today and let us help you revitalize your yard and get it as healthy as possible.