When to Water Your Lawn in Colorado
The rain we get here at home in Colorado changes depending on the season, making regular watering and maintenance critical to the health of your lawn. But remember that each lawn is different and has unique needs throughout the year. Here are some tips on the best watering schedule for Colorado, including watering guidelines and additional suggestions to take the worry out of lawn care.
Watering Your Lawn in Each Season
Watering and irrigation are dependent on our environment—each season brings its own set of challenges from drought in the summer to rains in the spring. Here are a few recommendations on how to approach each season to maintain a luscious outdoor space:
Spring
March to May mark the most variant watering season. We recommend that you water your turf 1-2 times per week for a total of 1 inch a week, depending on natural precipitation.
Summer
June, July, August, and early September are the driest seasons of the year. That’s why it’s important to be extra diligent and heavily water the area at least twice a week. Be careful and make sure to cycle and soak to avoid runoff and wasting water. We recommend 1 ½ inches per week.
Early Fall
Mid-September and October bring shorter days and cooler nights that help maintain a moist soil environment. That’s why you can water less than you would during the summer—about 1-2 times per week and 1 inch each week should do.
Late Fall and Winter
November to February when the temperatures get colder is a crucial time for lawn care. Make sure that your sprinkler habits are catered to the temperatures outside. Be especially diligent during the time frame of January and February when most damage to your turf can occur. We recommend that you water 1-2 times each month when it’s above 50 degrees, though no more than 1 inch each time.
What is the Best Time of Day to Water Your Lawn?
Proper lawn watering is a delicate balance to ensure that your turf has the best quality health. Not only is it important to take seasonal factors mentioned above into consideration, but also the time of day when the grass is being watered. The best time to water your lawn is in the mornings, rather than in the afternoon or evenings. And to prevent common turf disease and weeds, we also recommend that you water your grass less frequently, but more heavily, allowing the water to soak deeper into the ground, instead of just the topsoil.
How Long Should You Water Your Lawn in Colorado?
Keep track of your water output as you’re watering to determine if you’re over or under treating based on our seasonal recommendations. Runtimes vary, but we suggest keeping in mind a baseline of 20-30 minutes per turf zone for Pop-ups, 40-50 minutes with Rotor heads, and adding additional time if you’re using low-impact MP Rotors.
Locals ourselves, we understand that Colorado’s soil mixture of clay and sand requires a “Cycle and Soak” approach. This prevents runoff and waste. So instead of watering a zone for 45 minutes straight, we suggest breaking up treatments into 3 start times at 15-minute intervals.
How Often Should You Water Your Lawn?
It’s best to build a program unique to your yard’s needs and not a one-size-fits-all approach. Keep in mind that a balanced watering schedule doesn’t always require a predetermined amount of water. Instead, take into account the season and your type of grass to determine how long the area can sustain without water. We stand by the approach that deep and infrequent watering is best that wets the soil to a depth of 3-5 inches per irrigation or 4-6 inches during the summer.
Can You Overwater Your Lawn?
Yes. Watering too often, especially in poorly drained areas, can actually do more harm than good. Make sure to not water every day or every other day. Remember, infrequent watering is best for a healthy lawn. If you have a frequent, short watering schedule, lack of time for the water to soak into the soil can foster shallow roots and unhealthy grass more susceptible to disease, weeds, and damage during a drought.
Need Some Help?
We think that everyone deserves a beautiful yard that they can enjoy, which is why American Turf & Tree Care provides a variety of lawn care services, including aeration, weed control, fertilization, and more. Our team of experienced, local experts can also help you by providing you with recommendations and tips tailored to your turf, so give us a call today to get in touch with a technician about the best watering strategies for your lawn!