Woah it’s been hot here in Sydney! And you know it’s going to be another scorcher when you step outside in the morning, feel like you’re in a clothes dryer, and you’re already looking forward to getting back inside with the a/c. Out in the blistering heat all day are many living things, and our great Aussie lawns are one.

So how much water does your lawn need in this heat? And when is the best time to water it?

I’m glad you asked...

How Much Water Does Your Lawn Need in Hot, Dry Weather?

Most grasses love a good drink of water, though Buffalo grasses tend to thrive with a little more.

Assuming your lawn is already established and in good condition...

...we recommend adding a few extra minutes to each cycle. So if you water your lawn every three days for 10 minutes, increase that to 15 minutes for each of those days. Watch for signs that will tell you if your lawn is loving you for it – or not. If your lawn is not showing improvement in colour or reduced patchiness, your lawn's liking it and you could try increasing the number of minutes for each cycle a little more. If your lawn becomes too active and begins growing to excess, reduce the amount of minutes a little for each watering. Grasses respond readily in the heat of summer, so you’ll quickly find your right balance. 

If your lawn is in poor condition:

...dry, brown or browning, take some extra steps to nurse it back to its healthy state ready to enjoy this season.

• Fertiliser - Your lawn may need a fertiliser boost. We recommend Organic Health Booster fertiliser, exclusive to Green Life Turf (used on our own turf farms), and then again increase the amount of water your lawn is receiving each cycle.
  
  [NOTE: Remember to avoid fertilising in the morning as the morning dew left on leaves can cause fertilisers to stick to the leaves which the sun may burn as the day heats up. Instead, attempt to fertilise when there is less heat in the air, on the cooler of the hot days, just before a good watering!).

• Wetting agent - You may also consider using a wetting agent to help soak your soil and root system. The deeper your root system, the better your lawn will handle the summertime heat! We recommend (and sell online) Lawn Lovers Lawn Soaker. It does what it promises to; improving penetration of water so moisture can reach deep down into your lawn’s roots. Follow the instructions provided on the pack, and continue giving your lawn the extra water at each cycle

If your lawn is newly installed and not yet established...

...you’ll need to show it that extra love and care as you would any time you install new turf. Follow your turf supplier’s instructions, but in case you weren’t given any information: give your newly installed lawn at least 25mm of water within the first 30 minutes of installation, ensuring the water has soaked through the grass and the turf is moist. In hot weather like this, you’ll need to water your new turf every day until your lawn is firmly rooted. Once your roots are established, reduce watering to two to three times a week for hot, dry weather, and keep an eye on its performance increasing or decreasing the amount of water according to your lawn's needs.

Handy Hint:

If you’re not sure how many millimetres of water your lawn is getting, put out an empty tub on your lawn to collect water as it’s being watered. Simply measure how much water has been collected in that cycle and there you’ll have how many millimetres of water your lawn is getting per cycle.

Best Times of Day to Water Your Lawn in Hot, Dry Weather?

Early morning is very the best and safest time to water your lawn. Evaporation levels are at their lowest early morning making your thirsty lawn, our environment and our future generations very happy.

Unless you’re in a humid area, you may also water in the evenings; but watch that humidity as it can promote fungal problems.

Need some lawn products delivered to your door?
Shop online & hassle-free at the Green Life Turf online shop!