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Beat The Heat with Proper Watering
August in Texas
August is the hottest month of the year. Not only do we feel it, but so does your grass. Imagine sitting in the sun all day, not being able to escape the rays, relying only on the water you drank a day or two before. For most of us, it’s a nightmare situation. Luckily, your lawn is a little tougher and more adapted for this situation. While this may be the case, just like all other living creatures, grass needs water to survive. In August, meeting these water requirements are more consequential.
How and When to Water
If you haven’t kept up with your watering this summer, it’s surely showing now. Months of heat compound in August, leading to puckered leaf blades, dull color, and in severe cases, grass death. To avoid this, deep and infrequent watering is needed. Watering deeply encourages deeper root growth which is beneficial for drought tolerance. In addition, watering should only be done as frequently as needed. Watering on a daily basis is actually detrimental for lawn health.
Here is a general guideline for lawn watering at this time of year.
3-4 days per week
Sprays:10-15 minutes per zone
Rotors: 20-30 minutes per zone
Beds: 5-10 minutes per zone
Please water in the morning hours, between 4 and 8 am.
*This is a general guideline. Site Conditions, turf, and plant requirements will vary.*
These recommendations are for healthy, hydrated lawns. Drought stressed lawns require watering 2-3 days in a row to help recharge soil moisture before following this schedule.
Brandon Spiteri
O: 281-375-5100
Fertileearthtexas.com
For further information, please reference here.
A seasonal watering guide can also be found at here.
Avoiding Added Stress
Looking forward, St. Augustine lawns are susceptible to brown patch. Brown patch is a lawn disease that thrives when days begin shortening, evenings become cooler, and lawns stay wet for prolonged periods. Furthermore, tropical systems can move into our area at this time of year. Rainfall from these storms can lead to water-logged lawns that don’t dry out for days. Consequently, an ideal environment for brown patch is created. While we can’t control the weather, we can adjust the irrigation. Reducing irrigation frequency to 2 days per week can help offset the additional rainfall and decrease the risk of brown patch.
Mowing at a proper height is also beneficial in avoiding added stress to any yard, especially those that are dry. Here are our recommendations:
St. Augustine: 3-4 inches
Bermuda: 1-2 inches
Contact Us!
Following these simple principles will give your lawn the best chance of withstanding the Texas heat. If you have any further questions, don't hesitate to reach us at 281-375-5100.
Until next time, stay green and stay hydrated!
The Fertile Earth Team
