By Nathan Riggs. As hot weather sets in and homeowners watch their landscapes wither into summer dormancy, many ask how they need to water their landscape this summer to keep it alive.
While there’s no perfect answer, consider the following:
- Is it raining on a regular or semi-regular basis?
- How deep is the soil beneath my landscape?
- What types of plants or grass are being watered?
- How much brown in my lawn can I tolerate?
Typically, a good summer recommendation is to apply at least a half-inch of water to the landscape once a week while turfgrass is actively producing leaves, stems and roots. A slow rainfall of ½-inch or more is enough to delay irrigation for at least a week in summer. (A spot shower may not be enough to avoid irrigation; check GardenStyleSA.com for the latest weekly watering recommendations.)
Soil depth is very important in the water needs of plants and grass for summer. Soil at least six inches deep or more will hold moisture longer, requiring less frequent irrigation. Watering slowly and deeply will fill your soil’s “water tank” and allow grass and plants longer access to the water.
Shrubs and trees require less water than grass in summer. If supplemental watering is needed, use a hand-held hose to apply water to individual shrubs and trees as necessary and use sprinklers or rainfall for grasses.
The most important thing to remember about lawns in San Antonio is that, for the most part, they’re biologically able to withstand drought. Bermuda lawns may turn brown in summer but will green up when it rains and temperatures moderate. Watering lawns once a week will keep them alive and ready for cooler weather.
If you’re tired of bothering with the drought’s effects on your landscape, consider one of our landscape coupons and remove turf for more colorful xeric replacements.
Nathan Riggs is a SAWS project coordinator and licensed irrigator who also happens to have a degree in entomology from Texas A&M University. Yes, Nathan’s a bug expert, and not just on water bugs! When he’s not hard at work on SAWS conservation projects, he enjoys a wide variety of interests including: landscaping, hiking, photography of flowers, insects and other critters, and planning his next adventure with his wife Ella and family.