Most lawns need 1 to 2 inches of water per week depending on water and soil conditions. Nature supplies water as rain or dew but sometimes it does not supply what is needed. In dry areas, a regular watering of at least once a week or more is important (skipping days when it has rained heavily). During the more moderate spring and fall or in cooler wetter regions, look for signs that watering is needed. A slowing of the growth rate, changes in color or loss of resilience (footprints showing in the grass) are signs water is needed. Check the soil two to six inches below the surface. If the soil is dry and crumbles easily, it is time to water.
How Much Water - If nature has not supplied water as rain applying approximately 1 inch of water is a general rule of thumb. This will give deep penetration of the soil to a depth of six to eight inches. One inch of water or rain is equivalent to 623 gallons per 1000 sq. ft. Water should be applied no faster than the soil is able to absorb it. If water begins to run off before one inch is applied, stop sprinkling until it is absorbed and then resume.
A good drenching once or twice a week is better for your lawn than daily light sprinklings. Deep watering produces strong, deep root systems that can safely withstand drought. This requires long thorough soaking of the soil, ideally to a depth of about a foot, but at least 6 to 8 inches. An even, intermittent sprinkling is best for deep penetration.
The weather is also an important factor, on a hot, sunny day in mid-summer the average lawn uses 125 gallons of water per 1000 sq. ft. The same lawn on a cool cloudy day uses as little as 10 gallons of water. Mature trees can use up to 15 gallons of water per hour on a hot day. Any plant exposed to hot sun, low humidity and strong winds will evaporate large amounts of water that must be replaced from the soil or it will die. Grass is particularly susceptible since 85% of a grass plant's bulk is water.
One of the simplest ways to water the garden is with a retractable hose reel. Retractable hose reels come in dozens of different styles so that you can choose the perfect one to match the d?cor of your house. My favorite is the hose reel that has an outdoor sink built in. You really have to see it to believe it but the hose is hidden neatly on the retractable hose reel underneath a sink and faucet, which can all be hooked up to any outdoor spigot on your house. This means that for BBQ's or outdoor parties you can keep a sink outside to make life that much easier. The most impressive of all the features is that all of these new retractable hose reels retract automatically.
