How Often Should I Water My Lawn?

A lush green lawn requires the right balance of sunlight, nutrients and water.

In Australia, with our changing seasons and varying rainfall across the regions, lawn watering requires some thought and knowledge of your grass type.

This guide will teach you everything you need to know about proper lawn watering in Australi. With it, you can enjoy healthier grass and green turf year-round.

We’ll cover watering amounts, timing and seasonal adjustments. So let’s get into the lawn tips and have grass on your side!

Types of Australian Grass and Their Watering Needs

Knowing your lawn’s grass type and watering needs is key to a good lawn watering schedule. Australian gardens have many different grass types, each with its watering requirements.

Let’s get into some of the most common types of grass.

Couch Grass

This is one of the most common grass types on Australian lawns. Couch grass is known for its fine texture and high drought tolerance, so it’s perfect for the Australian climate. Proper watering helps develop a strong root system, making the lawn more resilient during dry spells and less susceptible to heat stress and pest damage.

For lawn watering, it will require around 2.5cm of water per week during the hot months, split into two watering sessions. In cooler parts of the year, you can reduce this to weekly or fortnightly.

Kikuyu Grass

Kikuyu grass is another popular one in Australia due to its hardiness. Known for its fast-growing and robust nature, it’s often used in high-traffic areas like parks and sporting grounds.

Kikuyu grass has a similar watering regime to Couch grass, but its fast growth may require more water during hot, dry periods (around 2.75cm per week). During hot weather, adjusting your watering schedule to ensure the grass remains healthy and avoid overwatering is important.

Buffalo Grass

If you’re looking for a new lawn with a luxurious feel, Buffalo grass is a great choice. Known for its broad leaves and soft texture, Buffalo grass gives any lawn a nice look.

That being said, this premium grass type requires more attention when lawn watering. It will require 3-4cm of water per week in summer and 1-2cm in cooler months.

Of course, these are just guidelines. Actual watering needs may vary depending on soil type, sun exposure, rainfall and local water restrictions.

Keep an eye on your lawn and adjust your watering schedule to keep it looking its best. Look for signs that your grass needs water, like wilting leaves or a dull blue-grey colour. Use a rain gauge to measure how much water your lawn is getting.

Methods of Watering and Practical Tools

When watering your lawn, there are many methods and tools to choose from. Sprinklers are popular as they can cover large areas. Oscillating sprinklers are suitable for rectangular lawns, and impact sprinklers are for irregular shapes. 

Drip irrigation systems are another option; water goes directly to the roots and minimises evaporation. Hand watering with a hose or watering can is suitable for small areas or spot watering.

To get even coverage and avoid wasting water, position the sprinklers so they don’t overlap and adjust the water pressure accordingly. Water deep and less often to encourage nice root growth. A good rule of thumb is to water until the top 6-8 inches of soil is moist.

The Best Times to Water Your Lawn

An effective watering schedule is key to a lush, green, and healthy lawn all year round in Australia. The times you turn on that sprinkler can make a big difference to your grass’s health and water efficiency. Follow these simple lawn care tips for watering, and your yard will thrive.

Given the Australian climate, it’s best to water your lawn in the early morning, around sunrise. 

Why?

This allows the water to soak into the ground before the Australian sun evaporates it. This also means your happy and healthy lawn has time to dry out during the day, reducing the chance of disease and fungus growth on damp grass.

Early Morning vs Night Watering

Some may argue that the evening is also a calm and cool period when evaporation is not a concern. While evening watering isn’t all bad, it can have some issues.

Grass left wet overnight, especially in the cooler months, can be prone to mould, fungi, and other diseases. Watering in the evening can also attract unwanted pests that love moist conditions.

Hot Days and Lawn Watering

On super hot, dry days, you should water your lawn in the middle of the day. But the heat can cause the water to evaporate quickly, leaving your grass dry and your water bill high. So stick to the early morning watering schedule even on the hottest days.

In short, while it may seem small, your lawn watering timing is critical to a healthy and green Australian lawn. Don’t underestimate the power of a timer – set it to water your garden and lawn at sunrise and watch your yard grow.

Adjusting for Rainfall

You also need to adjust your schedule according to natural rainfall. After all, you don’t need to water your lawn if Mother Nature has already done the work for you! Online resources or smart weather apps can help you track rainfall in your area and adjust your watering schedules accordingly.

Location and Soil Type

Another factor to consider when watering your lawn is the soil type in your area. Clay soils, for example, hold more water than sandy soils. If you’re in an area like western Sydney with clay-based soil, you may not need to water as often as someone in a coastal area with sandy soil.

How to Adjust Watering Schedules for Australian Seasons

Australia’s climate varies greatly and dramatically affects your lawn watering schedule.

From the tropical north to the temperate south, your lawn’s watering needs can change dramatically with the seasons. This section provides tips for adjusting your lawn watering schedule for these factors.

Summer: The High-Water Season for Your Lawn

Summer, with its high temperatures and low rainfall in many parts of Australia, is when your lawn needs more watering.

As evaporation rates increase, the frequency of watering should increase for cool-season grasses. But warm-season grasses like buffalo and couch grass prefer less frequent, deeper watering, about 2-3 times a week, as noted above.

Adjust to the heat and try to water in the early morning so your lawns can absorb moisture and harden off against the hot afternoon sun.

Autumn: Preparing for Winter

Autumn lawn hydration needs to be strategic to help harden off your lawns for winter. Reduce watering frequency but maintain the deep watering practice to encourage grass roots to grow deeper to find water when the grass growth slows down. Some areas of Australia get autumn rainfall, so adjust your watering accordingly.

Winter: Less Watering

Depending on where you are in Australia, winter can be dormant for your lawn, especially if you’re in the southern states. In this case, lawn watering needs to be reduced significantly.

Water once every 2-3 weeks, and remember that winter rainfall may cover these needs. If you’re in the tropical north, winter is your rainy season, so you may not need water at all.

Spring: Gradually increase watering

Spring is when your lawn awakens from winter’s dormancy. Gradually increase watering to promote deep root growth and keep your lawn healthy.

As the days get longer and temperatures rise, evaporation rates will increase, so keep an eye on the weather and adjust accordingly.

Please note that these are general guidelines, and many other factors may require you to adjust the watering schedules. If your area has water restrictions, always check to ensure you comply with them.

For more specific advice, consult a local lawn care expert or the Bureau of Meteorology about local weather patterns in your area.

How Much Water Should You Use?

Watering your lawn isn’t just about turning on the hose and waiting before turning it off! The amount of water your lawn gets is as significant as the frequency of your watering schedule.

To get lush, healthy and green grass, you need to find the sweet spot – not too little, not too much. But what’s the right amount for your lawn?

At its core, most Australian lawns need around 1 inch (or 2.5cm) of water per week for over 2-3 waterings.

This amount allows the water to soak into the soil and encourages the grass to grow down, not out, thus forming solid and healthy lawns. This is roughly 12.5mm of rainfall. But wait, there’s more!

Soil

Your soil type will determine the water volumes to set in your sprinkler or irrigation system. Sandy soils, being porous, drain faster and need more frequent watering, while clay soils retain water better and require less watering.

Turf

Different grass types (Couch, Kikuyu and Buffalo grass) have different watering needs. As mentioned earlier (Couch, Kikuyu and Buffalo grass), Couch and Kikuyu grass need slightly less water than Buffalo grass. But in extreme heat, all grass types will need more.

Weather

Current weather conditions will affect the amount of water needed. Hot and dry conditions require more frequent watering, but you can reduce or eliminate additional watering during heavy rainfall or cold months.

Signs That You’re Watering Too Much (Or Not Enough)

You should know the signs your lawn is getting too much or too little water. An overwatered lawn will have:

• Soggy or mushy grass
• Yellow or wilting leaves
• Mushrooms or fungal growth
• Puddles or standing water

An underwatered lawn will have the following:

• Grass blades folding or wilting
• Footprints remaining after walking on the lawn
• Dull bluey grey colour
• Dry hard soil

If you see these signs, adjust your watering schedule accordingly. For overwatered lawns, let the soil dry out before watering again. For underwatered lawns, increase watering frequency or duration until the grass recovers. Improper watering can attract lawn pests, making your lawn more susceptible to damage.

How to Measure Watering Amounts

Reading about ‘inches’ of water might leave you wondering how to translate that into practical lawn watering advice. One easy way to know the right amount of water is to place an empty tuna tin on your lawn while watering.

These tins are roughly an inch deep, so when complete, that’s your lawn’s weekly allowance! Alternatively, digital programs and innovative watering systems can also measure and automate the water dosage for your lawns.

Watering Tips

In Australia, water conservation is crucial for a sustainable lawn. Some tips are:

• Mulching: Apply a layer of organic mulch to retain soil moisture and reduce evaporation.
• Drought-tolerant grasses: Choose Couch or Kikuyu grasses that need less water.
• Reduce lawn size: Replace some lawn areas with water-wise plants or hardscaping.
• Adjust mowing height: Mow higher during hot, dry periods to encourage deeper roots and shade the soil.
• Use rainwater: Collect rainwater in barrels or tanks for lawn watering.

Following these watering tips will give you a lush lawn in no time.

Watering New Lawns or Reseeded Areas

New lawns or reseeded areas have watering requirements different from established grass. For new lawns:

• Water deeply and often, and keep the soil moist but not wet.
• Water 2-3 times daily for the first week, then reduce frequency.
• After 2-3 weeks, water 1-2 times a week, deeply and less often.

For reseeded areas, water similarly but lighter and more often to avoid disturbing the seeds. Once the grass is established, watering should be reduced.

Common Lawn Watering Issues

Even with a good watering schedule, problems can occur. Here are some common issues and solutions:

Should You Consider An Artificial Lawn?

There may come a time when you question the value of a natural lawn. After all, depending on where you are in Australia, lawn watering can be challenging due to natural conditions or regulations. Here’s when you might want an artificial lawn:

Water Restrictions or Drought

Nurturing a healthy, living lawn can be a real burden in areas with water restrictions or frequent droughts. Artificial grass requires no lawn watering, saves water, and generally complies better with local restrictions. It’s not the same as a living, breathing lawn, but it looks like it and can be used for recreational purposes.

Not Enough Time for Lawn Maintenance

A healthy lawn requires a lot of time. You need to check on the grass, adjust your watering schedule to the seasons, and spend time on regular mowing and maintenance. If you’re away from home often or don’t have the time to devote to lawn care, artificial grass is a drought-tolerant alternative that looks good all year round with minimal effort.

High-Traffic Areas

Some areas of your property may have high foot traffic, which can be tough on living grass. In these areas, an artificial lawn may be beneficial. Unlike natural grass, which can get worn and patchy, artificial grass can withstand constant use without losing its looks.

If you need more information and advice on whether synthetic turf is suitable for you, our team at Trinity Landscape & Sports is more than happy to help; click here to contact us.

Key Takeaways

• Each grass type has different watering needs.
• Watering quantities vary depending on factors, including established lawn type, location, and season. Overwatering can cause as much damage as underwatering.
• Watering time is key. Early and late afternoons are generally the best times to water your lawn, but adjust on sweltering days.
• Consider rainfall when making your lawn watering schedule—water less in rainy seasons and not at all during heavy rain.
• Adjust your lawn watering schedule to the vast and varied Australian climate. This means increasing water in summer, preparing for winter in autumn, reducing water in winter and gradually growing in spring.
• Consider synthetic grass when other factors, such as water restrictions, limited time, or high traffic, make natural grass hard to manage.