If you choose to keep your lawn actively growing and green during July and August, additional watering may be needed. For a stress resilient lawn, water deeply and infrequently. The amount of water to apply depends on the soil type and its moisture content:

• On a loamy or silty soil, typically apply one inch of water once a week.
• Sandy soils typically have one-half inch of water applied twice a week.
• Clay soils may need water applied slowly or at several different times to allow time to soak in.
• Adjust watering amounts to account for summer rains.

How long does a sprinkler need to run to apply an inch of water? For the average size hose, it takes about two to three hours.

A great way to check the amount of water applied is to:

• place small, straight-sided containers at different intervals in the sprinkling area.
• catch the water for an hour,
• measure the depth of water in the cans with a ruler.

If you allow your lawn to go into a summer dormancy condition, it is critical that the lawn be properly conditioned. Lawns that are not summer irrigated should not be fertilized heavily in the spring. Fertilizer should be applied in the fall, as temperature cools and fall rains return.

As the summer stress period approaches, gradually reduce watering the lawn. This helps the turf grass plant adjust to drier conditions and increases survival. Watering heavily and then abruptly stopping the application of water makes the grass much less able to endure extended warm, dry periods.

Even with properly conditioned turf, if drought is severe, apply one inch of water every two to three weeks. This keeps the plant from dehydrating beyond a point of no recovery. Shorter intervals may be needed on sandy soils or during prolonged periods of high temperature. Once cooler temperatures and natural rainfall return in late summer or early fall, resume regular irrigation practices.

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