Easy to Maintain Thick Grass Less Water

For nearly a half-century, a green lawn has been the hallmark of the suburban home. It is seen as an indicator of financial success. But as Americans are becoming more aware of their impact on the environment, some are beginning to question the value of those emerald green expanses. According to the EPA, "nationwide, landscape irrigation is estimated to account for nearly one-third of all residential water use, totaling nearly 9 billion gallons per day." For comparison, New York City uses about 1 billion gallons of water a day. So Americans are spending nine New York Cities of water every day just to water their plants. What's worse is that nearly half of that water is wasted on overwatering, runoff, and other uses that do nothing to enhance the landscape. But conservation doesn't have to mean giving up your lawn. As we stare down this tremendous waste of water, it is time we talk seriously about how to use less water on your lawn.

Picking the Right Grass

Before we can talk about better watering practices, we have to address the bottom line. Growing grass takes a lot of water. But just how much can vary greatly depending on what variety you grow. Some grasses thrive on less water than others, and drought resistance varies greatly. There are two main measures of how well grass grows with less water. First, some grasses will stay green longer than others in a period of drought. Second, some grasses are particularly suited to going dormant during drought and bouncing back when the water returns.

A significant factor in how well your grass survives a low-moisture environment is how healthy it was to start with. Grass with deep roots can access water deeper underground and stay green longer even as the surface dries out. Grass that is well-suited for the climate is also much more likely to survive dry weather.

Cool-season grasses are perfect for the northern half of the US. They grow well where summers are temperate and winter sees many days of below-freezing temperatures. This includes Northern California, the Pacific Northwest, the upper Great Plains, the upper Midwest, and New England.

Warm-season grasses are best suited for climates with hot summers and mild winters. This includes the Deep South and the Southeast.

Between these two climate zones lies a transition zone that stretches from Southern California east to the Virginias. In these regions, you can use either warm-season or cold-season grasses, and many lawns are overseeded with a mixture of warm and cold-season varieties.

Cool-Season Grasses That Use Less Water

Fine fescue is the gold standard in low-water cool-season grasses. In good times, it only needs about 0.75 to 1 inch of water a week. It has a great look, with thin, dark green blades that recover quickly from drought damage.

Tall fescue also grows well with less water. It requires about 1 to 1.25 inches of water a week, and its deep roots help it sustain extended drought conditions.

Kentucky bluegrass is very popular in the cool-season climate zone. It has a beautiful bright green color and needs about 1 to 1.5 inches of water a week. Its underground rhizomes help it bounce back from drought damage and quickly turn green again after going dormant.

Warm-Season Grasses That Use Less Water

Bermudagrass is the most drought-resistant of all warm-season grasses. It needs about 1 to 1.25 inches of water a week, which can come from rain or irrigation. But what makes Bermudagrass so drought-resistant is the way it uses the water. With roots that can grow up to six feet deep in the right conditions, Bermudagrass can take water from deep underground. This allows it to stay green and healthy for up to 50 days of drought. After that, the grass will turn brown and go dormant. It can remain dormant for up to 4 weeks and still come back healthy and green when water returns. In all, that means that Bermudagrass can survive for 11 weeks in drought conditions and still green up again when water returns. One of the most drought-tolerant varieties is TifTuf™ Bermudagrass, available exclusively from The Turfgrass Group.

Zoysia grass is also a favorite drought-tolerant warm-season grass. It can stay green for up to 30 days in a drought, after which it can remain dormant for four weeks and still green up when water returns. It only needs one-half to one inch of water in good times, which is usually supplied by rain. Zoysia grass is also shade-tolerant and can grow well in partial shade. One of the most drought-tolerant varieties of Zoysia grass is JaMur™, available from The Turfgrass Group.

St. Augustine grass is another popular drought-tolerant warm-season grass. It needs about one inch of water a week. It can stay green for about 45 days in a drought and go dormant for another three to four weeks.

Tips to Use Less Water on Your Lawn

In addition to selecting drought-tolerant grasses, you can reduce your water usage by adjusting how you irrigate and maintain your lawn.

Mowing to Use Less Water on Your Lawn

One way to minimize water waste on your lawn and get the most out of your irrigation is to keep grass long. Depending on the variety you choose, the maximum length may range from 1.5 inches to 3 inches. Keeping your grass at the maximum recommended length will help shade the soil to retain more moisture.

Another way to conserve water is to leave the clippings on your lawn when you mow. The clipping help shade the soil and hold in moisture. As the clippings break down, they also return precious water and nutrients to the soil. As your grass absorbs those nutrients, it can grow deeper, healthier roots that can tap into water deeper underground.

Amending the Soil to Use Less Water on Your Lawn

The best time to amend your soil is before you lay down the turf, as it can be difficult to make changes after your turf is established. To hold in moisture, make sure that your soil has a generous proportion of loose organic matter, such as manure, compost, or high-quality hummus. The layer of organic matter can absorb and retain water better than clayey or sandy soil. This is especially critical if you are starting with sandy soil. Sandy soil tends to drain very quickly, making it hard for your grass to get the most out of your irrigation or even rainwater.

After your turf is established, one of the best ways to make the most of rain and irrigation is to avoid compacted soil. When soil is too compacted, water can pool on top or run off. Aerate once or twice a year to maintain soil loose enough to absorb water efficiently.

Watering Practices to Reduce Water Use

The most significant change you can make to use less water on your lawn is not to irrigate when your grass doesn't need it. Your grass only needs about one inch of water a week, depending on the variety. It doesn't matter whether that water comes from rain or irrigation. So if it rains, skip irrigating for that week. If you really want to stay on top of your turf's water needs, you can install a smart irrigation system. Modern smart irrigation systems can take into account weather and soil conditions to only irrigate when necessary and save water when the soil is already moist.

If you aren't ready to invest in a fancy smart irrigation system, you can still be smart about how you water. It is best to water in the early morning when the weather is coolest, and the least amount of water is lost to evaporation. Although it may be cooler in the evening or at night, it is not recommended to water at night. When you water after sunset, the grass can't dry properly, and you create an environment that favors fungal growth.

Growing grass can use a lot of water, but it doesn't have to. If you use the right varieties and cultural practices, you can use less water on your lawn without sacrificing your beautiful green turf.

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Source: https://theturfgrassgroup.com/turf-maintenance/how-to-use-less-water-on-your-lawn/

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