How much Water does my Lawn Need?

Are patches of your lawn starting to look like a wheat field or feel and sound like you just stepped on a bag of chips walking across it? Wisconsin is in an abnormally dry period this season according to the US Department of Agriculture, but you've likely already noticed it yourself! We'll go over a few tips to help hydrate your lawn when mother nature isn't watering it already (I'm sure she'll have plenty to "hydrate" us with this winter though, right?)

Most lawns in Wisconsin are made of Kentucky Bluegrass. The University of Wisconsin Extension says the leaves of the grass will die and turn straw colored during dry periods, but that the crown of the grass can survive in a drought for two to three months. That's great that the grass doesn't completely die for two to three months, but we also don't like it going into dormancy and looking like straw! So, although it isn't going to be completely dead before two to three months, we need to water our lawns if we want to keep them green during dry periods. The UW Extension also notes that watering your lawn properly can reduce weeds!

Here are some great tips to keep your lawn green this season in Wisconsin:

• Water 1 inch per week if you have clay soil. Try to do it all at once, but if water pools up and runs off your lawn, break it up into 1/2 inch twice per week.

• Water 1-1.5 inches per week if you have sandy soil. Break it up into a few watering sessions per week.

• Find your soil type here: Web Soil Survey (usda.gov)

• Don't water at night. Water early in the morning so the grass doesn't stay wet all night and develop a fungal disease.

• Don't go crazy with the water. If water is pooling up in your lawn and sitting there, you may be giving your lawn an opportunity to develop a fungal disease.

• Don't cut your lawn like a golf course. Let it stay at a height of 3-4 inches, especially during a dry spell.

• Check for drought stress by walking around your lawn. If the footprints you've made are still visible after 10 minutes, you have drought stress. Don't mow! Water.

• Don't fertilize more than the recommended rate. This will stress your grass, not make it greener.

We hope this article helps alleviate some stress from you and your lawn this season. If you'd like an even greener, weed-free lawn give Weed Wrangler a call/text/email today at 920-880-3956 or service@weedwranglerlawns.com. Now do your best rain dance!