How much water does a lawn need to stay healthy and green?
The general rule of thumb is that most grass requires 1 inch of water per week. Research has shown that proper mowing and fertilizing practices encourage a deeply rooted, healthy lawn that efficiently uses its water supply. However, a lawn may need more water if it is under stress from foot traffic, insects or other environmental factors. Conditions that require higher water use are the same as those found in desert climates abundant sunshine, low humidity, high temperatures and wind. The combination of these factors can remove as much as one-third of an inch of water per day from the plant and soil system. Conversely, the absence of these conditions makes watering requirements relatively low. Before starting a watering schedule, it can be very helpful to determine how much water a sprinkler or irrigation system is putting down and where the water is going. Secure a few shallow tin cans (tuna cans are perfect) in a 10 to 20-foot grid in the yard, measure the depth of the water in each
