The best time to water your Utah lawn is in the morning, two to three days out of the week, for 15 minutes a day. Stop watering in the winter when the ground freezes, and always abide by your local watering restrictions.
Watering your lawn is a simple but vital chore. It’s vital to know when to water, how long, and at what times of year to keep your grass its best. Without a properly planned lawn watering and mowing schedule, your lawn may suffer. Here’s more about when to water your Utah lawn:
When to Water Your Utah Lawn
The best time to water turfgrass is early in the morning before the sun comes up. This way, the water can penetrate the soil before the hot sun evaporates it. Utah is one of the driest states in the nation, so avoiding waste is crucial. The ideal time is around 6 a.m. but certainly before 10 a.m.
If you can’t water in the morning for whatever reason, the second best time to water is in the evening as the sun is going down. Watering during this time will also minimize the effects of evaporation and provide your lawn the moisture it needs.
When to Stop Watering in Fall
We don’t recommend watering your lawn in the winter cold. Grass goes dormant below certain temperatures and doesn’t need water, and water doesn’t penetrate frozen soil anyway.
In Utah, we recommend you stop watering when temperatures start to drop below freezing. That typically happens around the end of October but can vary depending on your region. Check out our article on fall and winter lawn watering for more tips during these seasons.
When to Start Watering in Spring
Once winter passes and temperatures start to warm up, it’s time to start watering again. But when do you give your thirsty lawn that first drink of the year? It might not be when you’d expect. Even after temperatures rise above freezing and the ground thaws out, snowmelt will water your lawn for a while. Supplemental water will result in harmful overwatering.
In Utah, resume watering when temperatures are consistently above 60 degrees. That time will vary depending on where in Utah you live. For example, some areas recommend waiting until May 1, while others can water as early as March.
To determine if your lawn needs water, poke the soil with your finger or a screwdriver. If it goes in easily, your lawn still has enough water. If you feel resistance, it’s likely time to start watering.
How Long to Water
Cultivating turfgrass in Utah is a delicate balance between conserving water and keeping your lawn hydrated. For best results, water your lawn deeply and infrequently. Deep, infrequent waterings encourage strong root growth and make your lawn more resistant to drought while also reducing the amount of supplemental water you need to provide.
For example, watering for 15 minutes twice a week as opposed to five minutes a day will help strengthen your grass’ roots.
In order to maximize your water efficiency, you should also cycle your sprinkler system. Cycling means running your sprinkler system in multiple short intervals. How long depends on your sprinkler system. If you choose to follow the 15-minute guideline, split each watering into three five-minute intervals an hour apart.
How Much Water Does Your Lawn Need?
On average, turf grass requires about one to two inches of water per week, including rainfall. However, many factors can affect your lawn’s water needs, such as the type of grass, your local climate, and your soil type. A good rule of thumb is to watch for signs your lawn needs watering and irrigate as necessary. Lawns need more water in summer due to the heat.
Let’s use tall fescue, an ideal grass type for Utah lawns, as an example. Tall fescue requires about one to one-and-a-half inches of water a week, but during summer, it may need two inches.
Watering Restrictions in Utah
Thanks to a snowpack that formed in 2023, Utah’s official droughts are mostly in the past. Even still, Utah remains a very dry state, and water conservation is key. Most water restrictions are at the local level. Many areas restrict lawn watering between 10 am and 6 pm, though this is in no way universal. Always research your local water restrictions carefully.
The Utah Department of Natural Resources maintains a list of local water restrictions as they are applied and updated and has resources for determining restrictions based on water providers.
Find a Lawn Care Expert Today
Tracking a lawn mowing and watering schedule may seem daunting, but it’s easier than you might think. Plan out your lawn care schedule to keep your Utah lawn in top condition.
If you’re looking for lawn help, contact lawn care experts near you. They can mow your lawn for you and keep it looking at its best.
Main Image Credit: Ewing House in Smithfield, Utah / Tricia Simpson / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
