How to Prepare Your Lawn for Water Restrictions

Keeping a lawn green year-round can be challenging, particularly during water restrictions in drought-prone areas. However, there are several strategies you can employ to keep your grass thriving. By preparing your lawn correctly, you can ensure it remains healthy and resilient and maximize the benefits of having fresh, green grass, even during periods of limited water availability.

Water Restrictions in Florida

Real grass offers many benefits, such as contributing to better air quality by filtering pollutants, absorbing carbon dioxide, and releasing oxygen. It also helps reduce heat by cooling the air through a process called evapotranspiration, creating a more comfortable environment. Overall, it provides a lush, green landscape that is pleasing to the eye.

However, keeping grass healthy and dense in challenging conditions can be difficult. During periods of drought or water shortages, water management districts—state agencies that manage and safeguard water resources—issue water restrictions to prevent severe shortages and ensure equitable water distribution. Some local authorities, recognizing the perennial need for conservation, have enforced year-round restrictions.

For example, the South Florida Water Management District implements year-round landscape watering restrictions designed to ensure effective water use to maintain healthy landscapes while reducing waste. Healthy lawns usually require 1-1.5 inches of water per week during the peak growing season, which can be spread across 1-2 watering sessions a week during the hot, dry season. This frequency should be reduced during rainy periods and even further during cooler months or when the grass is dormant and growth slows down.

These regulations specify how much water can be used and when and how it can be applied. Some common watering restrictions include:

• Designated Watering Days: Irrigation is often limited to one day a week based on the address number, with odd and even numbers assigned on specific days.
• Time Restrictions: Watering is prohibited during the heat of the day, usually between 10 am and 4 pm, to reduce evaporation and ensure water reaches the roots.
• Supplementing Rainfall: Watering is restricted to only what is necessary to supplement rainfall, contributing to water conservation and minimizing waste.

These restrictions apply universally to all forms of landscape irrigation, regardless of the water source—whether from groundwater, surface water, a private well, or a public utility. These rules ensure everyone adheres to the same conservation standards. By following these guidelines, you can contribute to the collective effort to protect precious water resources while maintaining healthy, dense landscapes.

Choosing the Right Type of Grass for Drought Tolerance

With these water restrictions, homeowners increasingly turn to native grasses and plants that thrive with minimal supplemental water. Warm-season grasses like Bermuda, St. Augustine, and Zoysia are particularly well-adapted to the warm, humid Florida climate and are valued for their drought tolerance. These grasses can be successfully established through grass plugs, which come with the advantage of established root systems, reducing the need for frequent watering compared to planting seeds.

SodPods® grass plugs offer a convenient solution for repairing bare patches or damaged areas and introducing more drought-tolerant grass types into your lawn. While grass plugs can be planted at any time of the year, the period from late spring to early fall is ideal, providing ample time for the grass to establish before winter.

Initially, grass plugs require consistent watering to help them settle in, but once their root systems adapt to their new environment, they establish faster and improve your lawn's drought tolerance. This proactive approach conserves water and ensures a healthier, more resilient lawn.

4 Practical Tips to Water Your Lawn During Restrictions

In addition to using the right grass, fertilizing correctly, employing good water management, and maintaining overall lawn care practices are key to helping your lawn withstand drought. These strategies focus on building your lawn's resilience and helping it withstand the challenges posed by water restrictions.

Water Only As Necessary

Avoid watering your lawn unnecessarily, particularly after significant rainfall. You can also reduce or skip your usual watering session during periods of slow growth or when your lawn displays signs of overwatering, like yellowing grass, mold, or fungal growth. Assess your watering schedule regularly to account for the weather and moisture levels in your lawn.

Water Deeply and Infrequently

Aim to provide 1-1.5 inches of water per week, ideally distributed over 1-2 watering sessions. Ensure the water penetrates 6-8 inches deep into the soil. This method encourages deep and extensive root growth, allowing your grass to access moisture deep within the soil and training it to be more resilient to drought. Remember that shady areas may require less water, while sun-exposed areas may need more to maintain optimal health.

Follow Water Restrictions

Local water restrictions are intended to ensure the fair and efficient use of water resources. They may limit the days and times you can water and the amount you can use. However, by following these guidelines, you contribute to the overall conservation efforts, help maintain a stable water supply, and avoid potential fines.

Water Just Enough to Keep the Grass Alive

During water restrictions, focus on keeping your lawn alive rather than aiming for a dense, green look. It means providing enough water to sustain the grass, which may result in a yellowing lawn during the summer. If your lawn goes dormant—turning brown or yellow—avoid trying to revive it immediately.

Bringing grass out of dormancy prematurely can cause more stress and prolong recovery, potentially necessitating full repair. Accepting a temporary decline in appearance is a strategic way to ensure your lawn's long-term health and survival. In this case, water just occasionally to keep the roots and crowns from drying out.

Final Thoughts

By adhering to these guidelines and making necessary adjustments, you can maintain a healthy lawn even during water restrictions. Proper preparation and selecting the right type of grass will help your lawn stay resilient and green year-round despite challenging conditions. Implementing effective watering practices, following local regulations, and being mindful of weather patterns will collectively ensure your lawn thrives with minimal water usage.

Select a drought-tolerant grass for your lawn to get off to the right start. Explore a wide range of grass plugs for sale at the SodPods® website today!