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We all know that grass needs water, but exactly how much does it need? Many homeowners leave this job up to Mother Nature, but if you want a great looking yard with plenty of lushness, you can’t rely on nature entirely. Understanding the various types of grass can help determine how much watering your lawn really needs to thrive.
Common Grass Types in New Jersey
The grasses that grow best in New Jersey include fescues, bermuda grass and zoysiagrass. Fescues are your best option since these varieties are low maintenance, tolerant of all weather conditions and suitable for high-traffic areas. Bermuda grass is best for the southern parts of New Jersey and can only be planted when it’s warm outdoors, around 60 to 70 degrees. Zoysiagrass takes much longer to grow in and must be exposed to the sun, but it does create a lush, green lawn.
Cool-season grasses like fescues and bermuda grass need more water than zoysias since zoysiagrass is built for warm seasons. Yet much of watering depends on your climate and rainfall, not necessarily the type of grass. During the winter months, the grass lays dormant. What you see is brown grass that may look dead, but the growth underneath is alive. When the grass is exposed to sun and water in the spring, it grows back.
Watering Basics
If the soil is moist and there has been abundant rainfall, you don’t need to water. If you are in the middle of a drought, you only need to cover the lawn with water once or twice a month to prevent it from dying. In normal conditions, running a sprinkler for 15 minutes at night is adequate. If the forecast calls for rain, leave it up to Mother Nature.
Investing in an Irrigation System
Since it can be difficult to know when to water and how much water is needed, an irrigation system is an excellent solution. Today’s irrigation systems properly water lawns while being conscious of this resource. It takes the guessing work out of having to irrigate your own lawn while saving money, conserving water and keeping your lawn rich and beautiful.
Blog sponsored by: Horizon Landscape