Have a Waterless Lawn this Winter
Did you know that during the cooler months of the year, your lawn will need less water? As your grass enters dormancy with the cooling temperatures, your lawn will begin to grow at a slower rate and therefore require less water. But how much water should I use, and how can I help keep my lawn healthy over winter? Let’s find out.
Skip to: Why do lawns require less water? How much water will my lawn need? Do I need to turn my sprinkler system off during winter? How can I tell if my lawn needs water? How can I help stop moss and disease in winter? Did you know you can lay turf during winter?
Why Do Lawns Require Less Water?
There are a few reasons for this, with the main one being that your lawn will grow at a slower rate, requiring fewer inputs, including fertilisers, sunlight, and water. During these cooler months, your lawn will also hold onto moisture more as less heat related evaporation occurs.
How Much Water Will My Lawn Need?
In most cases, rainfall will be able to provide your lawn with all the water it needs over winter.
Do I Need to Turn My Sprinkler System Off During Winter?
The short answer to this question is yes. For winter, it is best to turn off your automated irrigation system and only water on an as needed basis.
How Can I Tell If My Lawn Needs Water?
If your region is experiencing dry or windy conditions, you may need to keep an eye on the lawn. If your lawn is showing any of these signs, you may need to irrigate your lawn:
- Grass looks dry
- Leaf is curled up on itself
- Lawn leaves a footprint behind when walked on
If you do need to water your lawn, it is best to do so early in the morning before the heat of the day. Avoid afternoon and night watering as the lawn can sit damp overnight, creating ideal conditions for disease to develop. It is best to give your lawn one deep water for around 20 mins, rather than shorter, more frequent irrigation.
How Can I Help Stop Moss and Disease in Winter?
Ensuring your lawn is getting the right amount of water this winter will also help prevent other over watering related issues including moss and disease. If your lawn has had excess rainfall, to help stop these issues from occurring, give your soil a good aerate with a garden fork to help decompact the soil profile and allow excess moisture to drain away.
Did You Know You Can Lay Turf During Winter?
Given your lawn requires a lot less irrigation during this period, it actually makes it a really good time to lay new turf. Turf can be laid all year round in Australia in most circumstances (some areas of high shade or wear would be best left until spring). The turf will sit idle on the ground, healthily maintaining core functions until it warms up in spring. Then it can continue to establish into the ground like normal. If you would like more information on how to install a new lawn during winter, please check out blog here.
For more lawn care tips and advice, make sure you check out our other lawn care blogs here.
