Phoenix Lawn Watering Guide

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Tips / Frequently Asked Questions

About half the water used at home is used outside, and most of that is for watering lawns.
By watering your lawn wisely, you can conserve a precious resource and save money on your water bill.


When should I water ?
Be a night owl.
Watering at night or early in the morning is the most effective time.
Less water evaporates when the sun is not out.

How often should I water ?
Water a Bermuda-grass lawn once every three days during the summer.
Even during the hottest part of the year, most lawns do not need to be watered every day. By watering only once every three days, you promote deeper root growth and that makes your lawn more water efficient. In the winter, Bermuda-grass lawns go dormant and need no watering. If you have a winter rye-grass lawn, it should be watered about once each week after it is established.

How long should I water ?
How long you should water depends upon two factors:
1. How quickly your sprinklers put water on your lawn.
2. The amount of water your grass needs to stay healthy.

Here's a test to determine if water is needed :
Try pushing the 6" long shaft of a screwdriver into the ground.
If it goes in easily, don't water.

Note: Don't water after it has rained.


More Tips for Improving Efficiency :


• If water runs off when sprinkling for the time provided by this website,
  reduce the watering time.
  
  
• Use the same sprinkler type and nozzle size in each area watered.
  
  
• Adjust sprinklers so they spray the grass, not on walls, driveways and sidewalks.
  
  
• Mow your lawn regularly.
  Make sure grass does not block sprinklers.
  
  
• Replace broken and missing sprinkler heads immediately.
  A missing sprinkler head can lose more than 12 gallons per minute.
  
  
• If some areas appear dry after sprinkling, hand water those areas
  instead of increasing watering time.
  
  
  
  FAQ :
  
  
  • Why can't I just water until the soil is soggy ?
    
  • How many cans should I put out ?
    
  • One can overflowed / One can is empty ... ?
    
  • My lawn is in the shade; should I water less ?
    
  • I have brown spots; what can I do ?
    
  • I have very wet, marshy areas; what can I do ?
    
  • Does fertilizer help ?
    
  • What is overseeding ?
    
  • etc..