How Should You Water Your Lawn?
- Marcus Bergin
- Jul 5
- 3 min read
One of the most common questions I'm asked during the summer is whether people should water their lawn. The answer is that it depends. Grass is remarkably resilient and, in many cases, a brown lawn isn't a dead lawn. Understanding when watering is genuinely beneficial and when it's unnecessary can save both time and water while helping your lawn remain healthier in the long term.
Watering isn't simply about keeping the grass green. Done correctly, it encourages deeper root growth and improves the lawn's ability to cope with future dry spells. Done poorly, it can encourage shallow roots and create a lawn that's increasingly dependent on regular watering.
Does Every Lawn Need Watering?
Not necessarily.
Most established lawns can survive surprisingly long periods without rain by entering a natural state known as dormancy. During this time, the grass slows its growth and often turns brown to conserve moisture.
Although the lawn may look lifeless, it usually recovers once rainfall returns.
For many gardens, this natural cycle is perfectly normal and doesn't require intervention.
Water Deeply Rather Than Little and Often
If you decide your lawn does need watering, it's better to water thoroughly rather than applying a light sprinkle every evening.
A deep soak encourages the roots to grow further into the soil in search of moisture, making the lawn more resilient during future dry periods.
Frequent shallow watering has the opposite effect, encouraging roots to remain close to the surface where the soil dries out much more quickly.
The Best Time to Water
Timing is just as important as the amount of water applied.
Early morning is generally the best time to water a lawn. Temperatures are lower, evaporation is reduced and the grass has time to dry during the day, lowering the risk of fungal diseases.
Evening watering can also be effective during prolonged dry weather, although leaving the grass wet overnight may increase the likelihood of disease if conditions remain humid.
Watering during the hottest part of the day is usually the least efficient option, as much of the water evaporates before reaching the root zone.
How Much Water Does a Lawn Need?
When watering becomes necessary, the aim should be to wet the soil rather than simply dampening the surface.
As a general guide, around 20 litres of water per square metre provides a thorough soak that encourages moisture to reach the root zone. This is far more beneficial than applying small amounts every day.
The exact amount required will vary depending on soil type, weather conditions and how well established the lawn is.
Clay Soils Hold Moisture Longer
Across Cheltenham and much of Gloucestershire, many lawns grow on clay soil.
Clay naturally retains water for longer than sandy soils, meaning lawns often need watering less frequently but benefit from a deeper soak when they do.
Understanding your soil type is one of the most effective ways to avoid overwatering while still supporting healthy grass growth.
When Not to Water
There are times when watering provides very little benefit.
If rain is forecast within the next day or two, nature will usually do the job for you. Likewise, if the lawn has already entered dormancy during a prolonged drought, it may be more sensible to allow it to rest until cooler, wetter weather returns.
Saving water during periods of hosepipe restrictions or drought is also an important consideration, particularly when established lawns are likely to recover naturally.
From Marcus
One of the biggest surprises for many customers is learning that brown grass isn't necessarily unhealthy grass. Lawns have evolved to cope with dry weather long before garden sprinklers existed. Rather than trying to keep every lawn bright green throughout the summer, I prefer to encourage deeper roots and stronger plants that can cope naturally with changing conditions. A lawn that occasionally goes brown during a hot summer often recovers perfectly well once the rain returns.
Looking for Professional Lawn Care?
If you're unsure whether your lawn needs watering or would like advice on keeping it healthy during dry weather, I'd be happy to help. I provide professional lawn care throughout Cheltenham, Bishops Cleeve and the surrounding Gloucestershire villages, offering tailored advice and seasonal lawn care programmes designed to keep lawns healthy all year round.
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