Tools and Materials
Planning Lawn Watering
A beautiful lawn can provide the perfect backdrop for a host of activities. Be aware of watering restrictions and local ordinances in your area. Consider the tips below for watering your lawn.
- Sprinklers should be selected first. Choose sprinklers that offer full and balanced coverage so that all areas of the lawn get an even distribution of water.
- Oscillating sprinklers work for large, mostly flat lawns. Walking sprinklers, which guide themselves along a hose, are ideal for watering areas with turns or hills.
- New seed should be watered lightly every day until the grass is established.
- Existing lawns should get about 1 inch of water once a week. Use a rain gauge to plan your watering to supplement any rain. Some types of lawn grasses require more or less water. Ask a Lowe’s associate or lawn professional for guidance. - Select hoses to connect each of the selected sprinklers. Hoses are typically sold in 25-inch, 50-inch, 75-inch and 100-inch sections. Hoses come in various diameters; ¾-inch and 5/8-inch are the most common sizes for lawns and gardens. The bigger the diameter, the more water will be delivered. Select hoses with easy-to-twist couplings.
- Flexible hose and in-ground sprinkler systems can be installed with timers that will turn the water flow on and off as desired. However, you must move the equipment on and off the lawn each time you water and sometimes during the watering process for thorough coverage.
- In-ground watering lines can reduce the labor involved in watering, but you have to install (or have installed) the underground water pipes and surface sprinkler heads in your lawn.Water early in the morning, just before sunrise. This gives your lawn time to absorb the water without the excess evaporation that’s caused by midday sun. Late-night watering could promote diseases. And consider investing in a timer.
- Consistency is key: Stay ahead of dry spells to keep your yard healthy and beautiful. But be sure to water more frequently during dry spells.
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