Water for Your Lawn – Irrigation Systems and Tips

For many garden owners, the lawn is an absolute sanctuary. It's no surprise then that most of their time is invested in caring for their beloved green space. And indeed, the lawn generally requires the most maintenance in the garden.

Water, fertilizer, mowing—your lawn needs all of these to grow lush, green, and healthy. This makes a lawnmower and fertilizer indispensable. But what about water?

Especially in summer, many hobby gardeners make the mistake of watering their lawn at the wrong time of day, actually making things worse instead of better. The best time to water your lawn is in the early morning. If the lawn is watered at midday in summer, it leads to burns and unsightly brown patches on the grass, making it brown rather than grass-green.

When the summer is particularly hot, the lawn should receive fresh water 3 to 4 times a week. Especially with temperatures over 30 degrees Celsius and bright sunshine, the soil can dry out very quickly, causing the lawn to turn brown. But again, only water in the early morning or late evening, and under no circumstances in direct sunlight.

On milder days, it's enough to water the lawn once a week. However, the sun should never be underestimated. Even if temperatures aren't above 30 degrees, the sun combined with water can certainly cause damage to the lawn.

Especially in summer, the question of when to water the lawn eventually arises. How can you tell your lawn needs water before it's too late and the blades turn brown?

One method is to use a spade to check how dry the soil is. If you'd rather avoid that, you can invest in a rain gauge. These are available at garden supply stores. Rain gauges accurately show how much water is in the soil and whether your lawn needs watering again. Generally, the rule is 15 liters of water per square meter of lawn. This ensures optimal irrigation and helps your lawn grow lush and green.

Rain gauges range from about 4 to 60 Euros at specialty stores. It's best to get advice at your local shop to find out which rain gauge is most suitable for your lawn. Then, nothing stands in the way of optimal watering.

If you don't want to rely on a rain gauge, you can follow the general rule of watering 3 to 4 times a week on hot days and once a week on milder days. Of course, if there's enough rain, you can skip the extra watering.

When choosing the right irrigation system, the size and type of your garden are key, alongside your budget and personal preference.

For larger lawn areas, oscillating sprinklers are a proven choice. These can be precisely adjusted in width and angle to your garden, minimizing water waste. Oscillating sprinklers distribute water evenly across the lawn and are relatively inexpensive to purchase.

Another option is retractable sprinkler systems. When installing these, it's crucial to ensure they are spaced correctly so their spray radii don't overlap.

If budget isn't a concern, you can have a fully automated irrigation system installed. This system uses special soil moisture sensors to determine if the lawn needs water. Depending on the measurement, the system then automatically switches on and off. Such a system typically costs between 90 and 500 Euros.

Generally, in summer, you should carefully consider whether your lawn truly needs watering. Water can quickly become scarce during hot summers, and if you don't have your own well or are watering with tap water, it's best to limit use to a minimum.