Best Times for Watering

The best time to water your lawn is early in the morning, ideally before 8 a.m., to allow the water to absorb before the heat causes it to evaporate and to give the grass blades time to dry before nightfall. Watering in the late afternoon or early evening is a second-best option but avoid watering after 4 p.m. to prevent the grass from staying wet overnight and developing fungal diseases. Watering during the hottest part of the day is inefficient and should be avoided. Watering in the middle of the day should be avoided because it leads to significant water loss from evaporation. 

Best watering times

• Early morning (best)

  • Why: It's cooler, with less wind, so less water is lost to evaporation.

  • Benefit: Water can penetrate deep into the soil and reach the grass roots before the heat sets in.

  • Recommendation: Before 8 a.m.. Early morning

  • (Best): Water between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m. This is when the temperature is cooler and wind is less intense, allowing water to soak deep into the soil. It also gives the grass blades time to dry before dark.

    
    

    

• Late afternoon/early evening (second best) 

  • Why: It's a better option than midday, but not as efficient as morning.

  • Caution: Water early enough in the evening to allow the grass to dry before nightfall. Leaving it wet overnight can promote fungal growth. 

  • Late afternoon/Early evening (Second best): If you must water later, aim for between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. This is still cooler than midday, but the risk of fungal growth increases the later you water, so it's crucial to allow the grass blades to dry before night.

    
    

• Midday (avoid)

  • Why: High temperatures cause the majority of the water to evaporate before it can be absorbed by the roots.

  • Benefit: It's still better than nothing, but it is considered very inefficient. 

  • Midday (Avoid): Watering between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. causes the most water to evaporate and can lead to shallow root growth, weakening the lawn.  6 pm to 3 am risk of fungal growth increases

Additional tips for watering

• Water deeply and infrequently: This encourages deeper root growth, making the lawn more drought-resistant. Aim for one inch of water per week, divided into two or three sessions.

• Check your local restrictions: Some municipalities have specific times or days for watering to conserve water. Always follow your local regulations.

• Avoid overnight watering: Watering when the grass stays wet all night significantly increases the risk of fungal diseases like brown patch and dollar spot.