Properly irrigate to maintain an attractive, healthy lawn and protect the environment at the same time. Poor watering practices are the main reason for dead and dying areas in lawns and a common source of urban runoff. Runoff can move fertilizer, pesticides, or other hazardous chemicals down storm drains and into our waterways.
Landscape with watering in mind.
- Don’t plant turf species that need frequent watering, such as bluegrass or ryegrass.
- Design your landscape so water doesn’t run off onto hard surfaces and into storm drains.
- To reduce runoff, install nonirrigated buffer areas, which include water-efficient plants or permeable features, next to sidewalks or on slopes.
- Aerate heavy or compacted soils so water can easily move down to reach grass roots.
- Install an irrigation system that you can adjust to properly water areas of your landscape that have different water requirements.
Water only when your lawn needs it.
- Water requirements vary according to turf species, location, and month of the year. Shady or sunny areas and different soil types will have different water requirements.
- Most lawns need water when the top 2 inches of soil have dried out. Use an object such as a screwdriver to probe your soil and measure the depth of the moisture.
- Deeper, less frequent watering is best for most lawns. Water only two to three times a week.
- Make sure your sprinkler system does not produce runoff, especially on slopes. If you see runoff, use shorter watering times more often to allow the water to move into the soil.
- Water early in the morning, when evaporation and wind are minimal.
- Adjust your watering schedule seasonally. Shut off your irrigation system during rainy weather.
Maintain your irrigation system.
- Check your irrigation system regularly for leaks, broken or misdirected heads, faulty valves, and other malfunctions. Adjust sprinklers to keep water off driveways, sidewalks, and streets.
- Improve your system with devices such as rotor heads, “smart” (ET) controllers, and soil moisture sensors.
- Use a “can test” to see how evenly your sprinkler system covers different areas of your lawn and to estimate how long to water.
Read more in the UC Guide to Healthy Lawns.
The pesticide information on this page may become out of date as products and active ingredients change or become unavailable. Some of the pesticides listed are only available for use by licensed pesticide applicators. No endorsements of named products are intended, nor is criticism implied of products not mentioned.
