Summer mowing: smart lawn watering strategies for large properties

If you own a large property, you know your lawn isn’t just acreage to mow—it’s part of the land you work, live on, and take pride in. Hours of care go into this endeavor. When summer rolls in, heat, dry spells, and all-out drought times can do a number on your turf. When you see grass beginning to look tired and spots of brown appear, you may feel a sense of defeat. But with the right watering strategies, you can keep your lawn healthy, vital, and ready for your Grasshopper Mower to continue delivering a high quality of cut, no matter the weather. 

Here are some smart watering strategies to stay ahead of the heat this summer without wasting time, water, or effort.

Good measure: how much water your lawn needs

Whether it’s warm-season or cool-season grass, most lawns need about 1 inch of water each week from either rainfall or irrigation. That’s the sweet spot to maintain healthy growth without encouraging disease or waste.

Here’s how to measure. Gather some shallow containers and spread them across your lawn. Run sprinklers until they fill to 1 inch in depth. Time how long your sprinklers worked and use this as your baseline for system output. Now, you can save time and water while giving your thirsty lawn the necessary irrigation without waste. 

Beat the clock: water early 

The best time to water your lawn is before high heat, between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. This way, you can minimize evaporation that depletes water resources. If you water midday, the sun soaks up moisture from grass blades before it can penetrate the soil and reach turf roots. If you water too late in the day, grass blades may not dry before nightfall, and excess moisture on the turf can promote lawn disease and invite pests. This is especially the case in shaded areas. 

Water deeply and infrequently 

In the heat of summer, it’s tempting to water your lawn everyday–but doing so can do more harm than good. Brief, frequent watering leads to weak root systems. So, in dire drought times, water once or twice a week. Remember your irrigation timing and know that less is more. Watering infrequently and deeply will promote deeper root growth and strengthen your turf’s resistance to heat and drought.

Soil type matters 

Not all soil holds water the same way. Depending on your location, what lies beneath the turf may be sandy soil that drains quickly and requires longer, more frequent watering. Clay soils retain water. Not sure where you stand with soil? Get your shovel and perform a quick test. If the soil is dry an inch below the surface soon after watering, your turf isn’t getting enough.

Less or more? Tune into dry soil signals

Yellowing or browned-out blades of grass are a sign of turf that’s too dry. The same goes for thinning patches and grass that stays flat after you step on it. You’ll know if you’re watering too much when you spot mush or soggy spots. Ring-shaped patterns can be a sign of what is known as summer patch or another fungus that can wreak havoc on your lawn. 

The bottom line: Tune into your yard’s moisture levels. 

Water smart, mow for healthy turf

Smart irrigation isn’t just good for your lawn—it’s good for your time, your water bill, and your mower. A healthy, well-watered lawn cuts better, looks better, and handles stress better. When you water your lawn in a mindful way, the stronger and more upright blades allow your equipment to accomplish a clean cut. Mowing does create some stress, but when turf root systems are strong, they recover faster. 

The takeaway: Grass that grows evenly is less likely to suffer from uneven cutting and heat-related damage during mowing. 

The Grasshopper advantage 

Your local authorized Grasshopper dealer is your partner in keeping your property looking its best. We’re a ready source for all of your mower equipment, maintenance, parts, and education needs. 

Looking for more healthy turf watering tips? Here are some more helpful tips as we head into more hot summer days.  

Our network of dealers support our products, and we genuinely care about how your equipment is operating in all environmental conditions. Just ask us how we can help.