Without a doubt, watering your lawn is probably the single most essential step of turf care you need to do in order to ensure that you have a long-lasting and beautiful lawn. Don’t worry as your new turf does not immediately need fertilization, it does require water. The water is absorbed through the roots of the turf. There is no water that enters the leaves of turf so simply wetting the leaves does not a good turf watering session go. Water is vital as it brings the necessary nutrients to the turf’s roots. It is essential for healthy leaves, makes them soft and pliable and allows the leaves to stand up. Water also is used to cool the turf. Poor watering will lead to a lot of issues in your turf.
Over Watering
Many new turf owners over zealously water their turf in the hopes of ensuring they stay healthy and look good. Too much water though can cause the soil to become too soggy. If there is cold weather and you overwater the turf, the grass can suffocate. Turf over flooded by water simply cannot breathe and in order for the turf to live, it must breathe. When it comes to watering, all that is required to be drenched are those parts of the turf in the soil. Roots need oxygen to breathe but these roots also require water in order to absorb the fertilizer. It is your duty to balance the amount of water and oxygen in your turf soil.
Under Watering
Neglected lawns are hugely in part due to under watering of the turf. New turf is particularly vulnerable to under watering. New turf usually has short roots and has limited capacity to absorb water. It only takes a few hours for the new turf to dry out and get damaged. In order to prevent this issue, prep the soil properly. Once the turf is installed provide it with ample watering regularly.
How To Do Turf Care Properly
Depth
In order for turf to be properly watered, the water needs to get to the roots. You need to know how deep the roots are so you know how deep the water needs to go. You can determine the depth of the roots by digging a small hole to check. New turf roots are only as deep as the piece of turf is thick. In this case, it requires ample water to thoroughly wet it. For mature turf, the roots are around 150-250 mm deep; water should be provided up to this depth.
How Often
Turf needs a constant supply of water. During the months that you are moving the grass there should be enough water. June to September depending on rainfall, water at last 2x per day on the first week and then 2-3 times a week and then 3-6 times and then once a week. Once the roots have established themselves firmly, the best time to water is before noon so it can dry off prior to night.
Applying Water
How you apply moisture will depend on your preference, Watering by hand is usually the least efficient. The use of a sprinkler is good. A timed sprinkler system can be tricky if you do not reset it if there is rain. Keep in mind that it is not how long you water the turf but how deep the water is able to penetrate the soil.
When do you know if it is enough?
The best method to know if turf soil has been wet enough is to dig a small hole to examine the soil. A correctly watered soil is not soaking wet but more dark, cool and moist. You can also try sticking a pointed knife into the soil. If the knife can be easily pushed into the soil and upon removal is cool and clean then the soil is moist. Keep in mind that wet leaves and dew can make the turf look wet but the roots could be dry.
To know more about proper turf care, contact the Twin Cities turf care experts.