Summer is coming up fast! The heat can be somewhat unpredictable during the summer months, so we’re giving you all the information and tips you need to maintain a healthy, lush lawn this season. Many homeowners find themselves asking questions like:

How often should you water your lawn in summer?

When do I start mowing the grass?

Should I hire a professional landscaping company?

To help you learn everything you need to have the perfect lawn this season, we’re kicking off this multi-part summer lawn care series discussing how often to water lawn in summer months and when you should be doing it. Keep reading to learn the best time to water lawn in summer and be the envy of the neighborhood. There’s more to watering your yard than just turning on the sprinkler or hose!

How Often to Water Lawn in Summer Months

Watering your lawn with the wrong frequency during summer is one of the most common lawn care mistakes homeowners make. Overwatering or watering too frequently can lead to shallow root growth, making your lawn more vulnerable to drought and stress. On the opposite side of the spectrum, underwatering can cause your grass to become dry and brittle, leading to unattractive brown patches.

The ideal frequency for how often to water lawn in summer months can also vary depending on where you live. Let’s take a look at when to water lawn in summer in different regions across the United States:

Northeast Region (Including Upstate NY!)

For homeowners in the Northeast region, like those in the Capital Region of Upstate NY, summers can range from moderately warm to hot with varying humidity levels. This means you’ll need to change up how often to water the lawn in summer months depending on the average heat, amount of sun, and other factors. Generally speaking, the cool grasses in Upstate NY generally require about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week.

Consider adjusting your watering schedule as the season progresses to follow these guidelines: 

• Early summer: Water your lawn 2 to 3 times per week in early summer. Make sure your lawn gets a deep and thorough watering each session.
• Mid-summer: During peak heat periods, the frequency of how often to water the lawn in summer typically increases to 3 to 4 times per week. This can be especially vital during drought periods or heatwaves.
• Late summer: As temperatures begin to cool, you can reduce back down to watering your lawn 2 to 3 times per week.

Bonus Info: Wondering which grass you need in your yard? Learn more about which grass is right for Upstate NY lawns to ensure your yard is green and lush year after year.

Southeast Region

With more warm season grasses alongside hot, humid summers with frequent thunderstorms, the Southeast region tends to follow a more consistent frequency for how often to water lawn in summer.

Instead of changing pace as the season progresses, homeowners can typically follow these tips for when to water lawn in summer:

• Water your lawn 1 to 2 times per week, providing about 1-inch of water each time.
• During more dry periods, increase to 2 to 3 times per week if necessary.

In this area of the country, frequent summer storms may reduce the need for watering your grass. Be sure to adjust accordingly to avoid overwatering the lawn.

Midwest Region

The Midwest can have a wide range of summer temperatures and weather patterns. In this part of the country, you’re also more likely to find combinations of cool and warm season grasses.

When determining how often to water lawn in summer for homes in the Midwest, consider these tips:

• For cool-season grasses: Water your lawn 2 to 3 times per week. Try to get 1 to 1.5-inches of water per week.
• For warm-season grasses: Water your grass 1 to 2 times per week, making sure it gets about 1-inch of water per week.

Just like in the Southeast region, you’ll need to be flexible with your watering schedule based on your local weather conditions, rainfall, etc.

Southwest Region

Last, but certainly not least, we have homeowners wondering how often to water lawn in summer for the Southwest region. This region typically has hot, dry summers with minimal rainfall. That means homeowners need to be extra mindful about when to water lawn in summer so they don’t accidentally end up scorching the grass.

Follow these tips for how often to water the lawn in summer for the Southwest region:

• Water your lawn 2 to 3 times per week. Be sure your lawn gets about 1-inch of water each time.
• During periods of extreme heat, you might need to increase watering frequency to 3 to 4 times per week to prevent drought stress on your yard.
• Consider drip irrigation or soaker hoses to minimize water loss due to evaporation.

While there are plenty of ways to maintain a lush lawn in this part of the country, homeowners here might benefit from various landscaping ideas where grass won’t grow in order to cover up bare spots in their yard.

Bonus Info: Debating if you should go with grass or turf? Learn more about artificial grass vs real grass after this and see which is right for your home. (hint: we bet it’s real grass!)

Best Time to Water Lawn in Summer

At a glance: Water your lawn between 6 AM and 10 AM, if possible. Otherwise, consider watering between 4 PM and 6 PM.

The question, “How often should you water your lawn in summer?” is often followed by, “Okay, but when is the best time to water lawn in summer months?”

To keep your lawn looking healthy and vibrant during the summer, it’s important to water it at optimal times of the day. Watering during the hottest part of the day causes significant evaporation, wasting water and depriving your lawn of needed moisture. Watering too late in the evening can leave grass blades wet overnight, promoting fungal diseases. 

Then when is the best time to water lawn in summer months?

The best time to water lawn in summer is early in the morning, between 6 AM and 10 AM. During these hours the temperatures are cooler and winds are typically calmer. That combination minimizes evaporation and lets the water soak deeply into the soil. This timing also ensures that grass blades have enough time to dry out during the day, reducing the risk of fungal diseases or scorching.

If watering your lawn in the morning isn’t possible, the next best time is late afternoon to early evening between 4 PM and 6 PM. This time of day retains enough sunlight and heat to allow the grass to dry before nightfall. Be careful to avoid watering too late in the evening to prevent prolonged moisture on the grass overnight, which can cause damage or disease.

Factors for When to Water Lawn in Summer

So now you know when to water lawn in summer months, but let’s talk about ways that can be influenced. The right amount of summer lawn maintenance means taking into account different factors that influence watering schedules, especially during the summer.

For homeowners in the upstate New York area like Albany County and Saratoga County, consider how these factors impact when and how often to water lawn in summer months:

• Types of grass in your lawn: Different types of grass need different levels of water to thrive. Cool-season grasses like Kentucky Bluegrass tend to need more frequent watering than warm-season grasses like Bermuda Grass.
• Time of day: Watering early in the morning is ideal. Avoid watering your lawn in the middle of the day to prevent water loss and ensure better soil absorption.
• Temperature: High temperatures increase evaporation rates and make it vital to water your grass more frequently. During heatwaves, your lawn might need daily watering to compensate for rapid moisture loss.
• Humidity: High humidity levels help retain soil moisture, letting homeowners water grass less often. Areas with low humidity cause soil and grass to dry faster and need more water.
• Local weather conditions: Regular rainfall can naturally supplement your watering schedule, reducing the need for you to manually water your yard. Conversely, during drought conditions, you’ll need to increase your watering frequency to keep your lawn lush and green.

Learning how often to water lawn in summer months is the first lesson in Summer Lawn Care 101 and will help you keep your grass green and vibrant all season long! Whether you’re a new homeowner or have been in your home for many years, it’s always beneficial to stay up to date on the best practices.

Find summer maintenance a little much for you? You can always leave it to the professionals! Our team of Upstate NY landscapers can keep your lawn in top condition year round. We’ve been serving the Albany County area and have since expanded to provide landscaping services in Saratoga County as well!

Contact us using the form below to discuss services, or give us a call! </strong></p>

<p style=”text-align: center;”><strong><a class=”button” href=”tel:5188695296″>518-869-LAWN</a></strong></p>