Five Lawn-Watering Tips for Summer in Minnesota
Watering your lawn doesn’t have to drain your wallet. Follow these easy lawn-watering tips to save money and conserve water during summer in Minnesota.
Assess Your Lawn’s Needs
Your lawn probably doesn’t need as much water as you think. Depending on its soil type, as little as one half inch of water per week may be enough. You can check your lawn’s hydration by walking on it. If the grass blades don’t spring back quickly, it means they lack the water to do so. A grayish or dull color also indicates your lawn needs water.
Time Your Lawn Watering
The most efficient lawn-watering schedule is generally one time or less per week. This can be even less frequent depending on how much rain your lawn receives. Infrequent but deep waterings allow the water to soak to the recommended depth of six inches. Watering early in the morning and in the evening also gives water a chance to soak into your lawn without evaporating during the hot daytime sun.
Delano Municipal Utilities maintains watering restrictions during the warmer months as recommended by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. These rules stipulate specific watering times and frequencies based on odd and even addresses. From May 1 through October 1, watering is only permitted before 7 a.m. and after 7 p.m. These restrictions reduce the amount of water needed to effectively irrigate your lawn, conserving water and saving you money.
Violations of these restrictions may result in a fine. Exceptions to the restrictions are made for newly seeded or sodded areas, allowing watering for 30 days, including hand-watering with a hose.
Direct Your Lawn Watering
Make sure your irrigation system or sprinkler isn’t spraying water onto your driveway or the sidewalk. Not only does this waste water, but it wastes water that you pay for. If necessary, adjust your irrigation system to only spray water onto your lawn.
In addition, if you notice puddles or pools of water on your lawn, that means you’re overwatering in that area. Adjust accordingly to lower your water bill and keep your lawn healthy.
Plant Native Species
Native grass and plant species don’t require as much watering as non-native species because they are better suited to their environment. Native plants also support local wildlife and biodiversity, providing food and habitat for native birds, insects, and other animals.
Traditional turfgrass species for Minnesota include fine fescues, tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, and perennial ryegrass. Fescue species are the most tolerant to drought.
Perform Irrigation System Maintenance
Keeping your irrigation system in good shape is one of the most valuable lawn-watering tips we can offer. If your system is damaged, it won’t water your lawn efficiently. Inspect your irrigation system for damaged or clogged sprinkler heads, valves, and other components.
Check your outdoor faucets for leaks, too. A faucet leaking at a rate of one drip per second can waste up to 3,000 gallons of water per year.
Rely on DMU for More Lawn-Watering Tips
Delano Municipal Utilities is committed to providing dependable water services in a sustainable and economical manner. If you’re looking for more lawn-watering tips to save money during summer in Minnesota, contact us! We are happy to help.