Summer has officially arrived in the UK, and with temperatures expected to soar above 30°C next week, many people will be bringing out their loungers and making the most of the sunshine. However, it is difficult to enjoy a garden that is struggling in the heat, and one of the first areas to suffer during hot weather is often the lawn. Grass can lose water very quickly in summer, and just a few days without any rain can leave the roots vulnerable, which can increase the likelihood of a lawn turning brown and patchy.
Why Watering Before 9am Is Crucial
The gardening experts at Flexiborder say it is possible to keep a lawn healthy even during a heatwave, as all it comes down to is watering it at the right time of day. The expert said: "The best time to water your lawn is early morning, ideally between 5am and 9am. Avoid watering in the middle of the day because more water is lost through evaporation. Late evening watering can sometimes encourage fungal problems."
Setting your sprinklers to go off before 9am is the key to keeping a lawn healthy in summer. It is really common to water a garden in the late afternoon or early evening as that is around the time most people get home and it is more convenient for them to do any chores. However, the afternoon is typically the hottest part of the day, which means that any water that gets on a lawn is only hydrating the surface grass and is not reaching the roots before it evaporates.
The Consequences of Improper Watering
If water does not reach the lawn roots, then the grass is more likely to dry out, but it also means the roots will become a lot more shallow over time. When lawns do not receive enough water, the roots are more likely to push to the surface, but if the grass does not receive enough moisture during dry weather, it will not be able to retain any moisture. This can cause gardeners a lot more work, as lawns will need to be watered more often. In summer, it can cause the grass to not grow properly, so it becomes thinner and less vibrant.
Watering grass in the evening during cooler temperatures may seem like it gives the roots more time to absorb water, but stagnant water can also cause mould and fungal diseases that will just stress a lawn out. The absolute best time to water a lawn in June is sometime in the morning before 9am, as the conditions are just right for the roots to receive water without it becoming a puddle on the grass.
Practical Tips for Lawn Care
Most people will not wake up at 5am simply to water their lawn, which is why it is highly recommended to use sprinklers on a timer during summer rather than a hose. The expert said: "For an established lawn, 45-60 minutes with a sprinkler once or twice a week is usually more effective than 10 minutes every day." It might sound simple, but knowing the right time to water a lawn will keep it hydrated for longer, helping it grow properly so you can enjoy lush, thick, green grass throughout summer.
