Watering your lawn

It's important to take the necessary precautions to prevent permanent damage to the turf. Here's a summary of the key points on watering:

1. Bluegrass Lawns: Bluegrass lawns can go dormant during drought but should still receive around half an inch of irrigation per week to keep the crowns alive. This will enable them to generate new growth when conditions improve.

1. Fescue Lawns: Fescue lawns should not be allowed to go dormant or turn brown as they may die. Similarly, a half inch of irrigation per week should be sufficient to keep them alive, except under extreme conditions.
2. Timing of Water Applications: Watering between 5:00 a.m. and noon is ideal because evaporation losses are lower during the morning. Additionally, the turf will dry off faster once irrigation stops, reducing the risk of disease development.
3. Automatic Watering Systems: Automatic watering systems can have issues, such as applying too little water and promoting shallow rooting. It's more efficient to apply seven tenths of an inch of water in one application per week, encouraging deeper rooting and healthier turf.
4. Avoid Runoff: When applying more water in a single application, ensure it doesn't exceed the soil's capacity to absorb it. Applying excessive water can lead to runoff, wasting water and potentially causing erosion.
5. Mower Blade Maintenance: Using a sharp mower blade is crucial to prevent tearing the grass. Torn grass edges lose more moisture compared to clean-cut grass. It's recommended to sharpen the mower blade every four to six weeks, or more frequently for larger mowing areas. No need to sharpen those blades, we will mow your lawn! Contact us. https://www.kozylawncare.com/contact-us.html

By following these guidelines, homeowners can effectively manage their lawns during drought conditions and minimize damage to the turf. This information and more can be found on the Nebraska Extension website https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/douglas-sarpy/

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