The Best Time to Water Grass for a Greener Lawn—and Less Water Waste

Odds are, you're watering your lawn all wrong.

In most residential neighborhoods, you can see sprinklers running from before dawn until well into the evening. But watering your lawn at the wrong time of day can be a problem for your lawn's health—and can waste a lot of that effort, too, as the water is lost to evaporation or runoff.

So when's the best time to water grass? And how often should you water your lawn to help keep it healthy—even when the heat of summer can stress out your grass? We asked experts for their best lawn-care tips to ensure your grass thrives.

Meet the Expert

Teri Valenzuela is the natural science manager at lawn care company, Sunday.

Why Timing Matters

The timing of when you water your grass matters because, if you water it at the wrong time, the grass might not get what it needs. It's important to understand the best time of day to water the grass so that the grass absorbs the water effectively. Otherwise, a lot of that water can evaporate, or it can cling to the strands as droplets. This can all increase the likelihood of lawn diseases and kill your grass.

Factors to Consider Before Watering the Grass

There are several factors that affect when, how, and how often you should water your grass. Better understanding these factors can help you establish a regular watering routine that effectively grows your grass and keeps it green and healthy.

Grass Type

There are different types of grass—and some require more watering than others. For example, some common types of cool-season grasses, which require more water than warm-season grass, include:

• Kentucky Bluegrass

• Fescue

• Perennial Ryegrass

• Buffalo

Some warm-season grasses include:

• Bermuda

• Zoysia

• Centipedegrass

• St. Augustinegrass

• Seashore Paspalum
  

Soil Type

The type of soil also plays a pivotal role in how you water your grass. You might have sandy, clay, loamy, or silt soil for example. Other types of soil include acidic and alkaline soil. You can determine which type of soil you have—and determine its pH and nutrient levels—by doing a soil test.

Climate

The climate certainly plays a role in when and how often you should water your grass. If the grass gets a lot of rain, for example, then it may not require as much watering. However, if you live in a drier climate, the grass will likely need to be watered more often. The weather conditions can also affect when you water your grass, since it may be more necessary during drier times of the day, but if the sun is too hot, it can lead to wasteful evaporation. Similarly, the wind can affect how well your grass absorbs water, and it tends to be calmer in the mornings.

The Best Time to Water Grass

The early bird gets the worm (and the healthiest lawn). According to Teri Valenzuela, natural science manager at Sunday, the ideal time to water your lawn is between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. "Watering during these hours allows the lawn to absorb water effectively, helps prevent heat stress during high temperatures, and is useful in deterring lawn diseases," Valenzuela says.

If morning isn't your thing, there's another decent window late in the evening. "If your goal is to conserve water, consider watering your lawn between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.," Valenzuela says. "This period is ideal as it reduces the opportunity for water to evaporate and often adheres to municipal watering restrictions."

When You Shouldn't Water Your Lawn

That leaves mid-afternoon as the worst time for you to water—both environmentally and for the health of your lawn. (Though it's probably the best time for kids who want to splash through the sprinkler!) "Watering during this time can stress your grass and and limit the amount of water the grass is able to absorb," Valenzuela says. You can lose up to half of the water you apply to your lawn in evaporation, runoff, or the wind, and that loss happens more often when you're watering during the peak hours of heat and sunlight.

The Best Way to Water Your Lawn

Getting the water levels just right for your lawn can help your lawn thrive (and help you save on water use, too!). "Overwatering can lead to potential fungus and disease, as well as soil compaction from foot traffic on oversaturated ground," Valenzuela says. "Underwatering often manifests as dry, cracked ground and withered grass. This can prevent adequate water from reaching the root zone, stunting the growth and development of grass roots." Try these tips to ensure your lawn thrives this season.

Spread out Your Watering Sessions

Valenzuela recommends avoiding watering your lawn daily, which can lead to shallow roots—and can cause your lawn to stress quickly if you have to stop watering due to drought. Instead, give your lawn about an inch or two of water per week, split into three watering sessions. (And obviously, if you're getting a good summer rainstorm, subtract that amount from your weekly watering session.)

Feed Your Lawn

Applying fertilizers and nutrients before the heat of summer can help your lawn do well—even if you have to cut back on watering due to drought conditions. "Watering strategically in summer months can be stressful for your lawn," Valenzuela says. "Preventative nutrients like Lawn Aid strengthen grass roots, helping your lawn handle both heat and lack of moisture better."

Choose a Smart Irrigation System

To help reduce the amount of watering work you have to do, consider investing in WaterSense-labeled irrigation systems, which can automatically adjust the amount of water used based on local weather—they'll water less when they know you've had rain—or based on detecting moisture in your soil. (That'll help ensure that you get the water levels just right for your lawn.)

Avoid Water Waste

Adjust your sprinklers so you're only watering the lawn—not your surrounding sidewalks or driveway. Drip irrigation systems and hoses are often used for gardens and landscaping, but if you don't mind moving them in and out of your lawn when you're ready to water, you can use that to ensure the water gets right to your grass roots, instead of evaporating into the air.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can watering dead grass bring it back to life?

If your grass is dead, you will not be able to bring it back to life by watering it. You will need to reseed your lawn. However, if your grass is only dormant, you can still revive it. Grass goes dormant to protect itself in drier climates. With a little TLC (read: water), you can bring it back.

How much water should you use to water the lawn?

While underwatering your grass can certainly kill it, overwatering your grass can also take a toll on it. Too much water can promote lawn disease. Most lawns need about an inch to an inch and a half of water per week to stay healthy.

What is the best way to water grass?

The method you choose to water your grass will largely depend on the lawn you have. Bigger lawns likely require automated irrigation systems that allow you to be more hands-off. However, if you only have a small section of grass that needs watering, you can also use a hose.

Related: The 15 Best Lawn Sprinklers of 2024

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