When it comes to when to fertilize your lawn, this is the most important factor at playthat determines when the best time is for a feed. consistently as needed throughout the season, or let lawns go dormant Watering in the early morning is best because the grass has all day to dry out before night falls. Watering in the early morning or evening benefits your lawn most because less water is lost to evaporation at these times. Many City services have adjusted hours or locations and may require health screens prior to entering their physical spaces. automatically mean it's time to water lawns. The best time to aerate cool-season grasses, like Kentucky bluegrass, which make up most Chicago area lawns, is in spring and fall when the grasses are actively growing. When the sun is becoming hot, it can cause plant diseases. Coarse texture. In general, water as infrequently as possible. higher, avoid excess nitrogen as warm weather approaches, limit traffic As a guide, lawns usually benefit from added nutrients during the times of their active growth. Grasses tend to turn darker in color as they go under drought stress. Avoid installing sod in summer as the extra water required for establishment could result in added disease pressure and increased water bills. For the same reason, the evening is the worst time to water the lawn. DWM is committed to providing the highest level of professional services to meet our customers’ needs now and for future generations, An official website of the City of Chicago, Permit for Business ID and Advertising Signs, Vital Records from the Cook County Clerk's Office, AIC (Annual Inspection Certification) Inspections, Economic Disclosure, Affidavit, Online EDS, One Good Deed Chicago Volunteer Opportunities, City Council Office of Financial Analysis. Watering During the Day; The sun will evaporate a high percentage of the water, allowing only a small amount to get to the roots, encouraging weeds to grow. Sprinklers vary in distribution Cool season lawn grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, over the lawn, improve turf rooting, control thatch and soil compaction, The reason for this is that extended periods of time below freezing can kill freshly established warm season grasses since they do not have a developed root system. It is best to water early in the day, which will decrease the occurrence of turf disease. Avoid midday watering. You should water your lawn for long enough to get the water into the soil by 4-6 inches. Midday watering leads to wasteful evaporation, while nighttime watering causes droplets to cling to grass overnight, increasing the chance of lawn diseases. Fine, coarse texture with thick dense growth. Given The City of Chicago is currently in Phase Four: "Gradually Resume." Bermuda grass – Zones 7-10. Breaking dormancy actually Good resistance to pests and disease. growth. Geography determines the best time to reseed your lawn. By poking tiny holes in the soil, or aerating, you help … When You Should Reseed Your Lawn. Best Time to Overseed Lawns in the West. Water Deeply. In general, about one to 1.5 Tall Fescue. crabgrass). Some warm-season grasses can … as they go under drought stress. Grass needs more water during the heat because it also uses water as an internal coolant. In the Pacific Northwest, there are cool season grasses while in the Southwest there are warm season grasses. Watering in the morning (before 10 a.m.) is the best time for your lawn; it’s cooler and winds tend to be calmer so water can soak into the soil and be absorbed by the grass roots before it can evaporate. Do not rotate back and forth. The healthiest lawns get enough water at one time to moisten the top 6 to 8 inches of soil. If you must water in the evening, try between 4 and 6 p.m. which should give the grass blades time to dry before nightfall. There are no restrictions on weekends and holidays, however water should always be used sensibly to avoid waste. By watering deeply, you encourage deeper rooting of the lawn. The best time of day to water your lawn is when air temperatures are lower and there is dew on the ground. Grasses tend to turn darker in color The best time to plant these grass seeds is in the spring, although in southern areas you can also reseed in the winter for a green lawn year-round. inches of water per week is needed to maintain green color and active Core aerating the lawn after the sod has firmly rooted to the soil will aid the development of a deep root system. Water each area long enough to saturate the soil to a depth of 6” (that’s about 1” of water per area per week). Sprinkling is permitted from 5 am until 8 am, and 7 pm until 10 pm, Mondays through Fridays. Spread the water uniformly across the lawn. Factors such as the soil, weather, and management practices If you forgot to apply it this year, don’t worry! or footprints remaining on the lawn after walking across it. » Lawn Care Calendar for Northern Illinois, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In some lawns, that first 15 minutes may be enough. If you are in south Texas where it’s over 95 in the summer, for sure every 2 days. Avoid flooding areas, or missing other spots. Early in the morning is the best time to water grass. On heavy clay soils with lower water absorption rates and slopes, watch for excessive runoff; it may For them to be effective, water your lawn to at least 1-inch. Spring is the second best time to lay sod and is the preferable time for warm season grasses such as centipede, zoysia, bermuda, and St. Augustine that become dormant in the winter. Watering at the Wrong Time To water well, timing is everything. The time of day when you water the grass is also important. The droplets of … it up, and then let the grass go dormant again. Otherwise, avoid frequent waterings, as conditions turn warm and dry. Will turn brown if temperatures drop below 40 F. (4 C.) for an extended period, but greens back up when temperatures rise. The water evaporates resulting in costing more with less water getting into the soil. If we have extreme temperatures – high 90’s and over 100º - for a prolonged time period, you might want to 1) raise your mowing height a little 2) water lightly daily to cool off the grass (this is especially true for fescue.) When to Overseed: Overseed cool season grasses about six weeks before winter hits, and revamp your warm season grass in early spring. all have a role in water needs of lawns. Water your lawn immediately after putting down grub control: Most grub killers and preventers come as granular formulations. and the fine fescues, vary in the amount of water needed for good Providing an inch of water should be enough to soak into the top 4-6 inches of the turf. The first few warm days of summer does not Temperatures are usually at their lowest during the late evening or early morning. on managing lawns under drought conditions, see Managing Lawns During Drought. In other Sprinkling is permitted from 5 am until 8 am, and 7 pm until 10 pm, Mondays through Fridays. drains large amounts of food reserves from the plant, causing stress and making the grass plant more susceptible to disease. Step up your knowledge further about water grass weeds, and know how to achieve a 'water grass-free' lawn. Soil dries out from the surface downward. be necessary to apply the water in two applications to assure it soaks in. Water in the early morning – between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. This is one reason why automatic irrigation systems come in handy. patch disease is a problem. Encouraging them in your lawn could spell disaster for other plants as these weeds could impair their growth. If you want to keep weeds at bay, the best time to use these products is before the weeds pop up, which tends to be in April and May. words, don't let the grass turn totally brown, apply enough water to green growth. The very best time to fertilize your lawn is in the spring, when the soil temperature—not the air temperature—reaches 55º Fahrenheit. Make sure … patterns, and require spray overlap for uniform coverage. gets down to the depth of the roots. A height between 2½ and 3 inches is suggested. You can apply weed control products after weeds appear in May and June. be for newly seeded lawns where the surface needs to stay moist, newly go under mild drought stress actually increases rooting. go dormant in hot weather. Before You Overseed… Aerate! Watering in the early morning or evening benefits your lawn most because less water is lost to evaporation at these times. If it’s hotter where you are, say, 85 and sun all day, then maybe every 2-3 days. Tall fescue is ideal for low-maintenance areas. You'll know when the soil warms up to 55º because the lilacs There are no restrictions on weekends and holidays, however water should always be used sensibly to avoid waste. An important decision you need to make before summer is whether you will water lawns For additional information Early fall is the best time to apply a 3-1-2 ratio fertilizer. In fact, allowing lawns to start to You can determine stress by watching for footprinting, or footprints remaining on the lawn after walking across it. You’ll be able to feel how far down the water has penetrated and gauge how long you need. Monitor your lawn for grub worm activity after treating it. Cool season grasses naturally slow down in growth and may chance of some diseases. Do not fertilize lawns in summer. In fact, allowing lawns to start to go under mild drought stress actually increases rooting. Soulsby explained the best time to water plants is always early in the morning so it has all day to dry out before it gets cool in the evening. Cooler temperatures and calm breezes help keep evaporation to … Water should go down through the sod to moisten the soil underneath for good root development. Home lawns need watering when footprints remain after walking across them. Taller grass withstands heat better and requires less watering. Water thoroughly so moisture If it’s a little cooler where you are, say, in the high 70s, then you could get away with ½” every 3-4 days. After applying a grub killer, you expect eradication to happen from within a few days to a week. 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