Watering lawns

Most lawns need regular rain to replace the moisture that grass draws from the soil. Grass can survive a couple of weeks without rain, but after this period you will notice symptoms of stress. Grass may turn silvery blue and turf will look flat as the grass wilts and loses its natural springy nature.

To avoid these problems, here’s what to do…

Prick the surface

If the lawn is baked hard then water will tend to run off the surface rather than soak into the soil. To prevent this from happening prick the surface all over with a garden fork.

Keep to the law

Hose pipe bans restrict watering potential, even if you are not metered. Stay within the law as fines can be heavy. Resourceful gardeners have water butts to store rain water and use bath water and other waste sources to keep lawns looking good.

Water thoroughly

During a drought water the lawn thoroughly once a week rather than giving light sprinklings every day. Water at a cool time of the day, either late at night or early morning.

Adding nutrients while watering

Liquid and soluble lawn care products that feed, weed or kill moss can be added to your watering can and applied at the same time as you water your lawn. As they are diluted with water, lawn foods get to work quickly.