Is it Too Hot to Water Your Grass?

The warm, humid Florida climate brings searing heat in the summer. While we seek refuge indoors or go on vacations, our lawns face a different struggle. Summer lawn care can be tricky—what worked in previous seasons or just a few weeks before may not cut it now. To keep your lawn healthy and green, you should tune in to its needs and adjust your maintenance routine accordingly. One crucial aspect that often needs adjusting is your watering schedule.

What Temperature is Too Hot to Water Grass?

Watering your lawn on a particularly hot day when it looks dry and thirsty can be tempting. But, regardless of the season, you shouldn't water your grass when the temperature is 95°F or hotter because the water will simply evaporate before it reaches the roots.

The Risks of Watering Your Lawn on a Hot Day

Besides the increased risk of evaporation due to watering at the wrong time of day, there are other dangers with watering your lawn during scorching heat. These mainly include the tendency to overwater your lawn and its associated issues.

Fungal Diseases: Heat and humidity provide the perfect conditions for fungal growth. Overwatering can lead to excess moisture on the grass blades and soil, triggering the development of mildew, brown patch disease, and dollar spots. These fungal issues can damage your grass, resulting in bare patches on your lawn.

Soil Compaction: Overwatering can cause waterlogging, which leads to soil compaction over time. Compacted soil hinders effective air and water penetration, resulting in drainage issues and significantly reducing the soil's ability to support healthy grass growth.

Shallow Root Growth: It's essential to water deeply but less frequently rather than giving your grass a little water daily. Shallow watering leads to weak roots and may encourage weed growth. Meanwhile, deep watering, which allows moisture to reach 6-8 inches into the ground, encourages roots to grow deeper in search of water.

Water Waste: Watering during hot weather wastes a valuable resource without benefiting your grass. This is particularly problematic in drought-prone areas where water restrictions may be in place.

Daily watering during extended periods of dry, hot weather is generally unnecessary. This is particularly true for warm-season grasses like Bermuda, Zoysia, and St. Augustine, which are known for their drought tolerance. These varieties, which are established successfully as grass plugs, can thrive with at least 1-1.5 inches of water per week. Supplemental watering is acceptable if your grass shows signs of drought stress—wilting, curling, folding, or color changing from dark green to bluish-gray or brown.

Understanding these risks can help you make better decisions about when and how to water your lawn, ensuring it remains healthy and resilient throughout the summer months.

When to Avoid Watering Your Lawn

Timing is everything when it comes to watering your lawn. Avoid watering during the heat of the day, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., when the sun is at its peak. The intense heat causes the water to evaporate quickly, preventing your lawn from getting the hydration it needs.

Similarly, delaying watering until late in the evening is not advisable. Water evaporates slowly at night, allowing moisture to linger on your lawn, which creates an environment conducive to fungal growth.

The Best Time to Water Grass: Early Morning

The best time to water your lawn is early morning, ideally before 10 a.m. During these hours, there is less wind, temperatures are cooler, and the sun is not as intense, allowing the water to soak into the soil and reach the roots before it evaporates. This timing ensures your grass gets the necessary hydration to stay healthy and green throughout the day.

Increase Your Lawn's Drought Resilience with SodPods®

SodPods® offers high-quality warm-season grass plugs that provide a convenient and effective lawn care solution for repairing damaged areas or filling in bare patches in your lawn. These grass plugs consist of mature grass and an established root system, ensuring a seamless transition to your lawn. Once adapted to their new environment, SodPods® can significantly improve your lawn's drought tolerance, helping it stay lush and resilient even during the hottest months.

Read our blog to explore more expert advice on lawn care.