Spring Watering Guide: How to Transition Lawn from Dormancy

by Jamie Tedder February 6, 2025

Winter often leaves its mark on your lawn—a lifeless patch of brown, brittle grass rather than the lush, green carpet you desire. The sight can be disheartening, especially if you take pride in a healthy lawn. The change is unavoidable, particularly for warm-season grasses like bermudagrass and St. Augustine, which enter dormancy when temperatures drop below 55°F.

But spring is a time of renewal. As temperatures rise and daylight hours extend, your lawn starts to wake up. Some areas may green up quickly, while others remain patchy. This is where your role becomes critical—helping grass transition from dormancy with proper care, including watering. Adequate hydration reinvigorates the grass blades and allows the grass roots to grow deeper and stronger, making the lawn more resilient.

Homeowners looking for a faster recovery should consider planting grass plugs, such as the bermudagrass plugs for sale at SodPods, to fill in weak spots and help accelerate lawn recovery.

Understanding Grass Types and Their Watering Requirements

As spring unfolds, warm-season grasses shift into their active growing season, requiring adjustments in watering habits. In Florida, where winters are mild, lawns don’t always go fully dormant. However, even slight temperature drops can slow grass growth, meaning you should still be mindful of watering needs.

Warm-season grasses, including Bermuda, Zoysia, and St. Augustine, demand more water in the spring and summer. Because these grasses grow more vigorously in warm weather, deep watering helps them grow deeper roots and prepare for the heat of summer. Different grass varieties have unique water requirements, so tailoring your watering schedule accordingly is crucial. Understanding these factors can help you develop a customized approach to lawn hydration, providing an optimal balance between growth and conservation.

Optimizing Your Spring Watering Schedule

A well-planned watering schedule is key to reviving your lawn after winter dormancy and setting it up for healthy growth. Spring watering should align with rising temperatures and your lawn's specific needs—meaning you should gradually increase watering sessions as the weather warms.

When to Start Watering in Spring

Begin watering your lawn when the soil is no longer frozen and the grass shows signs of growth. In Florida, where the ground rarely freezes, watering sessions should be gradually reintroduced as spring temperatures climb to encourage steady growth without over-saturating the lawn.

How Often to Water Your Lawn

Most lawns require watering 1-2 times a week in the spring, with additional watering during extremely dry or hot periods. However, this depends on soil type, sun exposure, and rainfall levels. If you experience frequent spring showers, reduce your irrigation to prevent overwatering, which can lead to shallow root growth and make your lawn more vulnerable to drought.

How Much Water Does Your Lawn Need?

Different soil types affect how much water your lawn retains:

Clay soil holds more moisture, requiring less frequent watering.
Sandy soil drains quickly, requiring more frequent watering.
Loamy soil retains moisture well while allowing drainage. It offers balanced water retention and drainage, ideal for healthy lawns.

A general rule is to provide 1-1.5 inches of water per week, allowing the moisture to reach 6-8 inches deep, where the roots absorb water and nutrients. Deep soaking encourages strong root development, making your lawn more drought-resistant.

Lawn Watering Frequency and Duration

Watering duration depends on your irrigation system. You can determine how long it takes to water using a few measurement tools like a rain gauge or a simple tuna can test.

Rain Gauge: A small device placed in your yard to measure rainfall and irrigation levels. By tracking how much water your lawn receives naturally, you can adjust your sprinkler system accordingly, preventing unnecessary watering.

Tuna Can Test: Place empty tuna cans around your yard while running your sprinklers. When the water inside reaches 1 inch, you know your lawn has received the recommended amount for the session. This helps ensure you’re watering deeply enough to reach the roots.

These tools allow you to fine-tune your watering sessions, promoting deep root growth and a more resilient lawn throughout the spring and summer.

Best Practices for Efficient Lawn Watering

Water conservation is essential, especially given Florida’s widespread drought. The state's year-round water restriction measures outline specific lawn watering days and times, including special guidelines for new lawns and plants to ensure they establish correctly. Fortunately, these regulations align with best practices for efficient lawn watering, helping you make the most of water resources while keeping your lawn lush and resilient in the spring without driving up the water bill. By optimizing irrigation techniques, you can maintain a healthy lawn while reducing waste.

Early Morning Watering

Water in the early morning to reduce evaporation and runoff.
Morning watering prevents lawn diseases by allowing grass blades to dry quickly.
Avoid midday watering, as the heat causes water to evaporate before reaching the roots.

Sprinkler System Adjustments

Ensure Even Coverage – Regularly adjust sprinkler heads to prevent dry spots and overwatering, keeping your lawn uniformly hydrated.
Tailor Watering to Conditions – Adjust watering frequency based on soil type, sun exposure, and rainfall to promote a healthy lawn.
Maintain and Repair Sprinkler System – Regularly inspect sprinklers for damage and leaks and repair them promptly. This will help prevent water waste and avoid overwatering certain areas, which can lead to shallow root growth and lawn damage.

Choose Drought-Tolerant Grasses

Select the Right Grass for Your Climate – Bermuda, Zoysia, and St. Augustine grass are warm-season grasses well-suited for warm temperatures and drought conditions, making them ideal options for a resilient lawn.
Plant During Their Active Growing Season – Establishing your lawn in the spring ensures these warm-season grasses take root and thrive as they enter their peak growth phase.
Use Grass Plugs for Faster Establishment – Grass plugs come with mature roots, allowing for quicker establishment, deeper root growth, and a healthier, more drought-resistant lawn in a shorter period.

SodPods Grass Plugs: A Smart Solution for Spring Recovery

Spring is the ideal time to plant grass plugs, which help restore patchy lawns and contribute to water conservation efforts. SodPods grass plugs, including bermudagrass, establish quickly, covering bare areas while reducing overall water usage. Using a grass plug tool makes the planting process efficient, and adding NutriPod grass fertilizer ensures strong, healthy growth.

Incorporating grass plugs into your lawn care routine creates a more resilient landscape requiring less frequent watering.

Ready to improve your lawn this spring? Explore SodPods grass plugs today!

Jamie Tedder

Jamie surrently serve as Vice President on the board for Turfgrass Producers of Florida. He currently oversees the production of all grasses throughout all farms in Florida at Bethel Farms. He is actively working with top grass breeders, researchers, producers and end users from public and private institutions around the country to stay up to date on current industry developments. Being a University of Florida graduate, he has applied that knowledge to over 22 years of experience growing spectacular grass!