Should I Water My Lawn in the Winter?

Should I Water My Lawn in the Winter?

Floridians are lucky in that we don’t have to contend with the savagery of a Northern winter, but there are still some very real pitfalls associated with Floridian winters. For example, many people assume that lawns don’t require watering in the winter since the sun and heat aren’t drying out the soil. While it is true that you won’t need to water your lawn as much in the winter compared to the warmer months, you do still need to hydrate and care for your lawn. If you want your property to be as vibrant and healthy as possible in the summer, winter care will go a very long way. This article will teach you everything you need to know about caring for your lawn in the winter.

Why Do Lawns Need Less Care in the Winter?

Once it cools down, plants such as grass and trees need less water than they do during the summer months. As plants bring water up from the ground, they lose that moisture through evaporation and transpiration through their leaves. With cold weather, the water stays around longer and doesn’t evaporate as much. As a result, grasses slow down their growth during the winter – Though some go completely dormant and stop growing all together during the cold months.

Just the Right Amount of Water

Because water lingers longer in the winter, you can’t just use the same routine you have in the warmer months. The most dangerous things you can do in the winter are to over or under water your grass. If you have a sprinkler system, you’ll certainly want to adjust its settings. Grass can’t effectively use large amounts of water at once, and over-watering will also deprive the soil of vital nutrients. This water also stays in the soil, displacing gasses from the soil and suffocating the roots of plants like grass. If you over water your lawn, you will have grass with very shallow root systems.

On the other hand, if you water your lawn too little, it will eventually begin to brown because there isn’t enough moisture hydrating the plant. After turning brown, it will eventually gray, and the grass can no longer be brought back and will need to replant it. Even grass that is only slightly underwatered is easily damaged, and the needs of different grass varieties can also vary.

How to Correctly Water your Lawn in the Winter

To know how to water your lawn properly will depend on several things. This includes the specific variety of grass you have, soil composition, general temperature, and more. First, you’ll want to follow the basic idea that your lawn will usually need an inch of water per week. This is because most lawns only need weekly watering during the winter months. However, trying to follow these rules rigidly can also harm your lawn with just the right set of circumstances.

Therefore, instead of following a rigorous routine that you designed, get to know your lawn. Watch how it’s doing, and monitor its condition. If you notice that the blades bend and don’t spring back up, your grass needs water. If the color lightens, give it some sprinkling. With time, you’ll feel when these signs start to manifest and will have an idea of how much to water your grass.

We offer a wide range and lawn and garden services, so if you’d like a professional take on how to treat your lawn this winter, give us a call today!