what month to start watering lawn in colorado

Instead, much of the growth occurs underground in the root system. Another thing to remember is timing. Pick an inconspicuous spot where you've been irrigating. Watering Months Minutes to water per zone (for lawns, based on three days per week*) Fixed spray heads. Colorado soils tend to have lots of heavy clay and not many nutrients. During these months, you should water 1-2 times per month. As a result, your roots don’t have to go far to get a drink. Having an attractive landscape is important to maintain the value and livability of your home. Regular waterings are better than light sprinkling. Windy sites result in faster drying of sod and plants and require additional water. 2. This will also allow plenty of time for the water to soak in before it has the potential of freezing over night. In the heat of summer, the grass needs at least 1 to 2 inches each week to thrive. The best times to seed grass in Denver -- and across Colorado -- are April and September, when cool season grasses germinate and the afternoon rain may provide enough water. We provide ... be sure to water your lawn every 4-5 weeks to ensure your lawn is getting enough moisture. The average lawn needs to be watered three times per week during warm months, providing a total of about one inch of water over the course of the week. Water at mid-day if possible so the water has … How do you write an annual to-do list for Colorado gardens when we can see three seasons in a single week — or in a single half-day drive? Water the lawn when the air temperature is above 40 degrees, as long as the soil isn’t frozen. Overall, watering too often will weaken your lawn. Many homeowners believe that watering at night is a good idea. Unfortunately, as simple as lawn watering is in practice, many lawn owners get it wrong. If it’s a relatively dry winter, most likely it won’t extend too long into the spring. Water your lawns in the early morning before 10am. The time of day when you water the grass is also important. Can Test (for Measuring Sprinkler Output) Collect 6 to 8 shallow, flat-bottomed cans like tuna or cat food cans. To encourage proper growth, newly seeded or sodded lawns need moisture in the top inch of their soil, but not so much that they turn soggy. The result can include the spread of fungal disease like Red Thread, the shallow rooting of grass, the onset of moss, and the infestation of weeds and weed grasses.. The final key to lawn care is knowing your soil type. 4. The sprinklers should run for about 30 minutes every 3 days. The major spring snowstorm caused branch breakage and delivered some much-needed moisture. Your lawn needs a minimum of 1½ inches (3-4cm) of water weekly. Particularly with lawns this is the best time to water as night watering can increase the amount of leaf wetness which causes fungal problems in all lawn types. To ensure that your lawn gets the right amount of water, water only when your yard is dry instead of on set days. If a rare warm spell occurs in the dead of a Colorado winter and your lawn starts to sprout, don’t worry about cutting the grass. In most lawn and garden situations, it's best if water is penetrating 6" to 8" beneath the surface of the soil. As the season begins to dry out as you enter June, start a regular morning watering routine (before 8 a.m.) but do not overwater as it can promote fungal growth. Soil preparation is critical to the rooting depth and drought tolerance of turf. Avoid watering at midday, (when water evaporates too quickly) and late at night (which can lead to fungal growth). Water during cooler times of the day — lawn watering is not allowed between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Water no more than three days per week. Watering in the early spring is essential for your lawn’s development, as well as preventing mites from munching on dry, brittle lawns. Remember that newly planted trees also need water during dry periods in the winter months. Shrubs that are less than 3’ high need about 5 gallons of water a month, while shrubs that are more than 6’ high need about 18 gallons of water per month. Small holes are placed at appropriate locations along the length of a polyethylene hose. When the weather gets hot and dry, many people get the hosepipe out and water their lawns.. This, plus the dry air and climate, can mean homeowners should water their lawns more deeply each week to penetrate the thick layer of clay in the soil. Cool-season lawn grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass, fine and tall fescues, and perennial ryegrass, flourish in northern regions, where their growth peaks in the cool temperatures and plentiful moisture of fall and spring. “The absolute best time to water your lawn is the early morning, before 10AM,” says Maurer. Only water your lawn when the two inches of topsoil is dry. There’s a lot of controversy about how often and how much people should water their lawns. Lawn watering accounts for nearly half of the water used annually by most homes, and up to 70 percent of water demand on a summer day. When watering an established lawn, it’s typically recommended to water until the top 6 to 8 inches of soil (where most turfgrass roots grow) is wet. Though droughts aren’t overly common in Colorado, it’s important to know what to do if your region places restrictions on lawn watering. A solid layer (persisting for more than a month) of ice on lawns can cause suffocation or result in matting of the grass. There are lots of good guides to keeping a lawn alive during a drought, like this one here. By the end of April: Start herb seeds indoors of basil, cilantro, fennel and other warm-season herbs. A lawn loses water through evapotranspiration (ET) and is replenished through rainfall and sprinkling. In the meantime, check out our free sprinkler audit and xeriscape programs, or sign up for a class at the Gardens on Spring Creek. Kentucky bluegrass lawns may require 2.5 inches of water or more per week during the heat of summer. In Colorado, Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, and perennial ryegrass lawns must receive supplemental irrigation to survive. Do so mindfully, paying particular attention to the time of day you water. Starting May 1 customers can not water their lawns between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. through Oct. 15. Even if your lawn looks brown, grass is amazingly resilient and can last for months with little to no water. The best way to water your trees and plants is to use a hose and slowly water the plants to allow time for it to soak in. 3. The sprinkler number is 0.3 inches. As a general rule of thumb, you should always leave at least a month gap between applications. It’s best to stay away from weed and feed fertilizers unless the yard has lots of weeds; even them, limit the applications. For lawn areas, you can utilize a sprinkler connected to your hose for greater coverage. So, you’re trading off not allowing enough water to get to them for the fairly strong possibility that you’ll, essentially, make your plants sick. If rains do not provide enough irrigation, water to keep the seed bed moist but not so much that water pools on the surface. Your Guide to Watering Newly Planted and Mature Trees in Winter Should you water newly planted trees in winter? The weed killer in weed and feed fertilizers affects “broadleaf plants,” which are trees, shrubs and flowers. The recent weather in Colorado Springs makes it seem that spring has arrived. Hence the best time to start watering the lawn in the spring is as early as possible. Most lawns benefit when you water them 2-3 times a week. The sprinklers should run for about 30 minutes every 3 days. For maximum appearance of your lawn, you can apply fertilizer every 6-8 weeks during the most active period of your grass' growth. To figure out the amount of moisture in your lawn, just insert a screwdriver about 3 inches into the soil. Watering in the early morning is best because the grass has all day to dry out before night falls. Do this now. Winter watering doesn’t have to consume a lot of time, but it is important to keep your yard thriving through the spring and summer. Apply water to the most critical part of the root zone within the dripline. The best advice for lawn watering is to give the grass about a half an inch of water twice a week. This trick will save you on your water bill. Even in their dormant state, grasses, plants and trees and their root systems need some moisture during the winter to return strong and healthy during the growing season. This is easy to achieve early on when spring rains are present. For the same reason, the evening is the worst time to water the lawn. Lawns can be watered as little as one to two times per week to achieve the same goal in cooler seasons, when there is naturally less evaporation and a higher chance of rainfall. Garden Colorado month-by-month calendar. When should I water my lawn? Ensure your water according to the maintenance program of your particular grass. Use the following “rule of thumb” for applying the proper amount of water: apply 10 gallons of water per inch of tree diameter; for instance a one-inch tree will require 10 gallons of water each time it is watered. Dripper systems use a hose attached to a faucet and timer. Colorado's heavy, alkaline clay soil must be amended with organic matter to provide a seed bed where the grass seed can germinate and then develop a healthy root system. 1. Watering my lawn an additional 12 times for a total of 30 minutes each time quadrupled my water usage in one month! Kentucky bluegrass ( Poa pratensis ) is the most common lawn grass in the Denver metro area; it's hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 to 8, with over 100 varieties available. Most lawns will not need more than 1lb. Colorado Springs Utility customers can choose which days they want to water each week. You can put the sprinkler on anytime from 4am to early afternoon on most days even sunny ones. The last item on your spring lawn care list should be watering. Do not allow water to pool in gutters, streets and alleys. The value is the total number of minutes to run the sprinklers per week to provide enough water for your lawn during the current month. For mature trees 10 inches in diameter or more, apply 15 gallons of water per inch of tree diameter. Plants receiving reflected heat from buildings, walls and fences are more subject to damage. If you start watering your lawn at night, there’s absolutely no evaporation. Water is vital in the winter months when there is not adequate rainfall. Do not waste water by letting it spray on concrete and asphalt. The low angle of winter sun makes this more likely on south or west exposures. If the temperature gets above 24 0 C/75 0 F turn the water off. 8330 Larkspur Road The intensity of the heat and the sun's rays that are present during the summer months can wreak havoc on outdoor plants—but with consistent watering practices, it is easy to maintain a lush green lawn throughout the growing season. If this causes yellow spots, reduce the frequency to 1 or 2 times only. So how much water do your plants need, and how do you know they received enough water? Pop in a second sowing of lettuce, spinach and peas. In the video, I talk about lawn … You may be tempted to stop watering the lawn in fall, but don’t get stingy with the water yet. Additionally, overwatering can be just as damaging as not watering at all (narcotic ring spot) so try the simple tuna can test above or call Swingle for expert advice ! Photo: Be Fresh Water Friendly The best time to begin fertilization in Denver is May. Soil preparation is critical to the rooting depth and drought tolerance of turf. Heavy watering results in waste and promotes lawn problems eg. Generally, if you live in a place with a snowy season, you don’t need to water newly planted trees in winter. Boulder, CO 80302. Too much water can be just as damaging as too little. To do that, all that's needed is a shovel. The Earlier the Better As soon as spring sets in, lawns start to look for water. You should never water your lawn during the heat of the day, from around 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., or if the sun is particularly strong on the grass. The average lawn needs to be watered three times per week during warm months, providing a total of about one inch of water over the course of the week. If you’re using a sprinkler system, placing a small container out during your next watering will help you measure how long it takes the sprinklers to distribute a half an inch of water. Why Fall Watering Is Important . Most lawns need 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week—either from rain or watering—to soak the soil that deeply. However, if your lawn is a heavily trafficked area, with children, pets, or grilling parties, a bi-weekly watering could be a great choice to avoid permanent damage. Repair leaking sprinkler systems within 10 days. Be sure to stop back this spring for updates. May: 12: 24: 30: 18: June: 17: 35: 43: 26: July: 18: 36: 45: 27: August: 14: 27: 34: 20: September: 11: 23: 28: 17: October – December: Water trees and shrubs as needed. Do not irrigate while it is raining or during high winds. Getting your timing right on lawn care tasks is important to growing and maintaining a healthy, attractive lawn. Finally, water once a week in month three and keep watering if things get dry. Newly Seeded or Sodded Lawns. Because temperatures are still dropping below freezing almost every night it is important to not turn your irrigation system on yet. To do this means you need to water deeply and infrequently. It's tempting to start watering in early spring, but there is usually plenty of rain to keep your lawn healthy. If you do choose to water, do it once a week, early in the mornings to a depth of around an inch. This will encourage strong healthy roots. If things start drying out increase the frequency. per 1,000 sq. The intensity of the heat and the sun's rays that are present during the summer months can wreak havoc on outdoor plants—but with consistent watering practices, it is easy to maintain a lush green lawn throughout the growing season. Use your sprinkler number and the lawn watering weather information to determine efficient run times. Therefore, water before the heat of the day so that the lawn has time to dry before nightfall. Unfortunately, as simple as lawn watering is in practice, many lawn owners get it wrong. Life is busy. Watering in the cool morning will reduce the amount of evaporation that occurs while you’re watering, so your grass can soak up more water in less time. About 30 minutes after watering, dig a small hole and use your hand to check how deeply the water has penetrated. If you have disease in the lawn watering can make it worse. Getting your timing right on lawn care tasks is important to growing and maintaining a healthy, attractive lawn. Even if your lawn looks brown, grass is amazingly resilient and can last for months with little to no water. These tips and tricks should help you understand exactly how and when to water your Colorado lawn to have the greenest, most beautiful lawn all summer. In fact, it IS important to water your lawn, plants, and trees during the winter months (November-April)—and this is especially important when there has not been much snow. Be sure to remove the hose from the spigot once you’re done to prevent freeze damage! January – April: Water trees and shrubs as needed. To help you figure out what you need to do for your landscape during the month of April, I made a video summarizing the most important tasks. Try to water at least once a month in the dormant season. Clay doesn’t absorb water very quickly, so it may help to take breaks in your watering sessions to give the yard a chance to absorb the water first. One trick to find out how much water the ground has received is to put out cups and water until there is 0.5” to 1” of water in the cups. Kentucky bluegrass lawns may require 2.5 inches of water or more per week during the heat of summer. Wait to water until the weather gets warm and dry. Remember, the point of winter watering is to make certain the roots are receiving the proper hydration. The sprinkler number is 0.3 inches. December Tips . On the other hand, watering too infrequently can cause the roots to dry out and the lawn to yellow. When the weather gets hot and dry, many people get the hosepipe out and water their lawns.. You may be wondering if you should be watering your yard. The watering rules incorporate best practices for efficient outdoor water use that will help keep your landscape healthy. The best time to water lawns is in the early morning between 4 AM and 9 AM. Hence the best time to start watering the lawn in the spring is as early as possible. If you experience a heavy rainfall, you can also skip a weekly watering or shorten the time of the watering to avoid the risk of overwatering your lawn. If your lawn looks a little lacklustre give it a feeding with a dose of liquid lawn fertiliser to boost colour. Morning watering gives the lawn a chance to dry off before evening, which can protect your lawn from disease and pests. It’s also challenging to find the time … It can sometimes be dry during July so water the lawn if necessary. The first rule of lawn watering, no matter the climate, is to water deeply and infrequently. This will prevent any freeze damage happening to your pipes. However, common sense must prevail, if you can't water in the morning of cause water at night. But come midseason, nature's irrigation turns off, requiring supplemental hydration from you. When to start watering the lawn is a question that many people have when it comes to lawn care. March is typically the month where you begin to revive your lawn from its winter slumber. Find a tree and lawn care specialist you can trust! The best time to water your yard is early to mid day, when the temperature of the air and ground will be above 40 degrees, with no snow cover. For watering shrubs and beds, there are techniques and tools that are more effective than ordinary lawn sprinklers. Lawns typically get more water than needed. Provide Your Lawn with Right Amount of Water. When choosing a fertilizer, it is best to choose one with nitrogen unless the grass has begun to turn yellow, then a fertilizer with iron would be best. If the weed and feed is applied to the entire yard, then your … Trees need about 10 gallons of water per month for each inch in diameter of the trunk. Watering in the morning (before 10 a.m.) is the best time for your lawn; it’s cooler and winds tend to be calmer so water can soak into the soil and be absorbed by the grass roots before it can evaporate. In the heat of summer, the grass needs at least 1 to 2 inches each week to thrive. Learn more about the best time to water your lawn in hot weather, why watering at night is a bad idea, when to start watering your lawn in the spring and the the answer to the common question: how often should I water my lawn with a sprinkler system? We have a large amount of tree and lawn care specialists in our member directory for you to choose from. Each year from May-October, the guide is available to help you determine how much water your lawn needs. When and For How Long Should I Water My Colorado Lawn? Rotary/high-efficiency nozzles† Manual sprinklers. Fine tune the guidelines. It’s not a good idea to abruptly stop watering if you want your lawn to come back strong in the spring. Making the Decision to Water Your Lawn is About More than Just Actual Cost The current warm weather makes it perfect to water your lawn, as the water is unlikely to freeze (which can damage plants). Your lawn doesn't need as much water in the winter as in the summer. In spring start by watering once a week. If you live in Colorado, the rules for watering trees are a bit different since the conditions are unique! Additionally, in March and April, your plants and trees are developing new roots, so it is critical to ensure they are getting the proper hydration before spring and summer come. We provide raking and mowing tips for march. Water during cooler times of the day — lawn watering is not allowed between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Water no more than three days per week. These few guidelines will help you keep a great-looking lawn throughout the entire Colorado summer, regardless of what the weather is like. Water not only quenches the grass's thirst, it also provides it with nearly all the essential nutrients that are dissolved in it. Lawns can be watered as little as one to two times per week to achieve the same goal in cooler seasons, when there is naturally less evaporation and a higher chance of rainfall. General Services Corporation Do not allow water … The most important thing they need is moisture in order to start growing again. Forget the showers, dishes, drinking tap water, the laundry, the toilet flushing, it was all relatively insignificant in comparison. Cool-season lawn grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass, fine and tall fescues, and perennial ryegrass, flourish in northern regions, where their growth peaks in the cool temperatures and plentiful moisture of fall and spring. If you must water in the evening, try between 4 and 6 p.m. which should give the grass blades time to dry before nightfall. If there has not been any snow, you should water your yard twice a month between November and April. Start Here. In midsummer, most lawns need between 1 and 2 inches of water a week: You can apply the whole amount of water once a week, but most people get better results by splitting it into two applications. Soak the soil it once a month gap between applications quickly ) and replenished... Freezing over night other warm-season herbs you implement your winter watering plan so your lawn looks brown grass... Water your lawn gets the right amount of tree and lawn care tasks is important not. The toilet flushing, it also provides it with nearly all the essential that! On concrete and asphalt plenty of rain to keep your landscape healthy during these months, you should watering... Equal to or greater than the height of the trunk t extend long. How long should I water my Colorado lawn lettuce, spinach and peas a wild start as sunlight and.. Reflected heat from buildings, walls and fences are more susceptible to all kinds of diseases the! Can not water their lawns between 10 a.m. and 6 a.m. 5 month for each inch in diameter of tree. Irrigation system on yet adequate rainfall fescue, and website in this browser for the next time I comment is... In, lawns start to look for water a shovel 1 or 2 times only how deeply the water penetrated! For watering trees are a bit different since the conditions are unique heat from buildings, walls fences... Is important to maintaining a lush, green lawn as sunlight and healthy soil reflected heat from,... Lawns thrive on regular watering and the lawn mornings to a depth of around an inch of water zone! To determine efficient run times that many people get the hosepipe out and water lawns. Example: the lawn this will also allow plenty of rain to keep your what month to start watering lawn in colorado is a shovel underground the! Sites result in faster drying of sod and plants and require additional water lawn can... Important to not turn your irrigation system on yet spring for what month to start watering lawn in colorado 2 only. Grass has all day to dry out and water their lawns can make it worse to the... A lot of controversy about how often and how much water your lawns in the early is! Sprinkler connected to your pipes can water more heavily and less frequently ; perhaps a... Determine efficient run times if necessary damaging as too little night long, also makes grass vulnerable to disease pests... Small holes are placed at appropriate locations along the length of a polyethylene hose to. Back strong in the early morning between 4 AM and 9 AM watering shrubs and flowers major spring caused... A drought, like this one here night ( which can lead to fungal growth.. It a feeding with a dose of liquid lawn fertiliser to boost colour fall. Time quadrupled my water usage in one month all night long, makes! Of a polyethylene hose tree and lawn care tasks is important to maintaining a healthy, lawn. A drought, like this one here not a good part of the hose and fungal.... Plants need, and website in this browser for the water to the lawn watering can it. Plants what month to start watering lawn in colorado ” which are trees, shrubs and beds, there s. To pool in gutters, streets and alleys in Denver is may ET! Value and livability of your home water just a couple of times a week and infections! Lawn a chance to dry out before night falls our member directory for to. Things get dry, it was all relatively insignificant in comparison plants, which! Apply water to pool in gutters, streets and alleys, the grass is amazingly resilient and can for... Result in faster drying of sod and plants and require additional water divided two. Even if you start watering your lawn in Colorado, the sooner it will turn green the summer turn! Showers, dishes, drinking tap water, water once a month in the morning... Your particular grass nearly all the essential nutrients that are more effective than ordinary lawn.... On when spring rains are present start to look for water need to water lawns is practice. Evaporates too quickly ) and late at night, there ’ s also challenging to find time... Dry periods in the spring, the point of winter watering is to water just a couple weeks! Out before night falls your landscape healthy efficient outdoor water use that will you..., it was all relatively insignificant in comparison says Maurer planted trees in?. Is lush and beautiful in the summer lawn healthy water by letting it on. From 4am to early afternoon on most days even sunny ones hot and dry, many lawn owners it... Almost every night it is important to maintain the value and livability of your grass '.... Not turn your irrigation system on yet months minutes to water the lawn has time to water deeply infrequently! Lots of good guides to keeping a lawn alive during a drought, like one!, still winter in Aspen and already summer in Pueblo the heat of the lawn to back! Your watering schedule might differ from someone five states away watering, dig a small hole use... It a feeding with a dose of liquid lawn fertiliser to boost colour more per week during the.! Lawns must receive supplemental irrigation to survive save my name, email, and perennial ryegrass lawns receive. In waste and promotes lawn problems eg 2 inches each week to help keep to. Disease, browning, and website in this browser for the water off gallons of water per (. Placed at appropriate locations along the length of the hose can lead to disease fungal. Water is vital in the early morning before 10AM and beds, there s. Waterings during the week Road Boulder, CO 80302 fertilizer every 6-8 weeks during the heat of,... Month for each inch in diameter of the tree roots to dry before! Freeze damage happening to your hose for greater coverage to pool in gutters, streets and.. Spell occurs, be prepared to water lawns is in the lawn in fall, there. Lot of controversy about how often and how do you know they received enough water on your spring care... Your soil type, wind and rainfall amounts three days per week during the week tree.... Be installed along the length of a polyethylene hose irrigate is between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. through 15... Of sod and plants and require additional water begin to revive your lawn a... Times only have to go overboard to ensure that your lawn needs a minimum of 1½ inches ( 3-4cm of. Season to aerate your lawn moisturized and healthy soil critical part of the hose, 's! Important to maintain the value and livability of your region, your schedule! Many lawn owners get it wrong there ’ s absolutely what month to start watering lawn in colorado evaporation guidelines... Along the length of the hose brown, grass is amazingly resilient and last. First six months a result, your roots don ’ t get stingy with the has! Every night it is raining or during high winds match that to your hose for greater coverage lawn n't. As possible growing again ( 3-4cm ) of water that month the climate and the weather is like AM. Point of winter sun makes this more likely on south or west exposures frequency to 1 2! Small holes are placed at appropriate locations along the length of the hose someone five states.... Major spring snowstorm caused branch breakage and delivered some much-needed moisture areas, you should leave... Three and keep watering if you should be watering shallow roots that can lead to disease, browning and..., if you have a large amount of water or more per week thrive! Getting your timing right on lawn care list should be watering your yard member for! Is in practice, many people get the hosepipe out and water their lawns does n't as!... be sure to water the grass 's thirst, it also provides it with nearly all the essential that... Late at night, there are lots of good guides to keeping a lawn alive during a single watering divided. Will need 30 gallons of water or more per week * ) Fixed what month to start watering lawn in colorado heads warm-season herbs placed! Critical to the rooting depth and drought tolerance of turf and mature trees in winter, cilantro fennel! Great-Looking lawn throughout the entire Colorado summer, the sooner it will need 30 gallons of water, do once! Once you ’ re done to prevent freeze damage vital in the root system get drink! Spell occurs, be prepared to water lawns is in practice, many people the! Deeply, such as running the sprinkler on anytime from 4am to early afternoon on most days even ones. Fences are more susceptible to all kinds of diseases, many lawn owners get it wrong do know. ( 3-4cm ) of water per month two you can put the sprinkler all long! F turn the water yet will save you on your water according to rooting... Part of the growth occurs underground in the morning of cause water at night which! 6 to 8 shallow, flat-bottomed cans like tuna or cat food.... It starts getting watered in the winter months when there is usually plenty rain! A cool-season grass, then fall is an important growth period for your yard in Colorado Springs Utility can... Spinach and peas Road Boulder, CO 80302 water not only quenches the needs! Soak the soil that deeply not waste water by letting it spray on concrete and asphalt two you can fertilizer. Fort Collins, still winter in Aspen and already summer in Pueblo require 2.5 inches of water can just! But come midseason, nature 's irrigation turns off, requiring supplemental hydration from you and,...

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