Lawns look their best with regular watering, especially through summer. Less frequent but deep watering encourages deep roots. Watering in the early morning or evening reduces water loss through evaporation and protects our most precious resource, water.

Sandy soils absorb but drain water quickly, so generally need more water. By comparison a clay soil absorbs and holds water. To avoid flooding you may need to water over a few shorter sessions to fill the soil profile.

For best water delivery, water lawns with a sprinkler, watering system such as automatic pop-up sprinkler or a soaker hose. Use a timer to control the length of watering. If you don’t have access to these methods, use a hand-held hose but try to water deeply, directing the water to the roots.

Spring irrigation

This is one of the hardest seasons to get watering right as the soil and night temperatures may still be cool. This means the lawn isn’t losing water however, if spring is warm, dry and or windy, it may need supplementary water. To test for soil moisture, put your finger through the lawn thatch into the soil to see if it’s dry. If it’s moist, hold off watering and check again the next day. If it’s dry, then water deeply and for long enough to wet the soil to the root level of the lawn.

Where water runs off the lawn or pools on top, the soil may be water repellent. Adding a soil wetter such as Seasol Super Soil Wetter & Conditioner will help the soil absorb water.

As day and soil temperatures get warmer, check the soil moisture levels more frequently and water accordingly.

Spring is also the perfect time to check irrigation systems to ensure they are working correctly and getting water to where it’s needed.

Summer irrigation

Summer is the season when lawns dry out very quickly. Having a regular watering regime will keep your lawn lush and green. Even in summer however keep to the routine of watering less often but for a longer period to ensure roots grow down into the soil in their search for moisture and nutrients. Watering in the early morning when it’s cool, allows the lawn time to absorb and use the water and makes best use of your irrigation system. Watering late at night can cause the lawn to remain wet overnight, which could cause fungal diseases. Continue to apply Seasol each month to help its heat and drought tolerance.

Note: Always observe water restrictions, which may dictate watering times and frequencies.

Autumn irrigation

Autumn can be a tricky season for watering as early autumn may still have hot days and should be treated like summer. Check soil moisture levels and water as needed. A deep, long watering less often, produces a better lawn than shorter watering more often. As autumn progresses it can bring on windy days along with leaf fall as well as recovery from summer’s heat.

Apply Seasol to your lawn every month throughout autumn to help give the lawn resilience for the winter ahead.

Winter irrigation

Check your lawn throughout the season. If rainfall is low, it can dry a lawn out quickly and may require watering. If this is the case, water in the early morning to give the lawn time to dry before nightfall. The best tip for this season is don’t overwater, especially if the lawn is dormant and conditions are cold. Lawns can rot if left wet for extended periods.

Note: Avoid walking on lawns that are frost affected as this can damage the grass.