It is a good choice for South Carolina … Lawn care and water experts say you typically should limit watering … We can see a wet, cold winter like 2015/16 and then warm, dry or drought summers. In addition to the footprint test mentioned earlier, you can check the soil to determine if it’s time to water … Cooler temperatures and calm breezes help keep evaporation to a … Raise the mowing height of the lawn mower during summer months; a higher mowing height encourages root growth and reduces heat stress. To figure out how much water adds up to 1 inch, do the “tuna can” test. The amount of water collected at the end of the irrigation cycle — 30 minutes, for example — will tell you whether your lawn is getting too much or not enough water and will enable you to make needed adjustments. Heavy thatch layers may contain more grass roots than soil, thus making the grass plants less tolerant to drought and more susceptible to heat injury. Join our mailing list to receive the latest updates from HGIC. Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer. However, tall or red fescue cool-season grasses may not fare as well. During long, dry hot periods in the summer, there are two choices when it comes to lawn irrigation: water the grass to keep it green, or do not water and watch the lawn turn brown and dormant. Recycle nutrients by not collecting clippings unless they are unsightly or in clumps. The best time to apply fertilizer to centipede grass is a few weeks after green-up and before temperatures reach 85° F. In South Carolina, we usually experience this mid-May, however, let your lawn be your guide. Officials in Cary point out that overwatering causes three-fourths of turf problems. Here are six tips for watering your lawn in the, — but not required to — water their lawns only on Tuesdays and Saturdays. 23 of Our Test Kitchen's Best Cookie Recipes of All Time ... sprigs, or plugs, start lawns in the summer. Let the lawn “show” you when it needs water. Keep in mind when fertilizing Centipede grass: In fact, the Seedland website says it is considered the South's grass. Fertilization:Apply 1/2 pound of nitrogen per thousand square feet three weeks after the grass turns green. Do not let grass get taller than 1 1 ⁄ 2 inches. Water evaporation is minimized so that a high proportion of the applied water is used by the grass plants. … First is where you live, coastal South Carolina is an area of extremes. Loosen up the soil with a spading fork or use a powered machine that creates holes or “pores” in the lawn by the action of spoons or tines mounted on a drum or reel. Color Test:When water becomes unavailable for an extended period, a lawn will exhibit a bluish-gray cast. You’ve got to make sure you have the proper equipment and it’s working the way it’s supposed to. Fix leaky hoses, spigots and valves. The self … When the grass blades are compressed by your feet, the low water levels prevent the grass blades from springing back up. When to water your lawn Deeply and infrequently are the two most important words to remember when you’re considering when and how often to water your lawn. Repeat the entire procedure in every zone because the irrigation rates may differ. Early plant growth for South Carolina… Use Table 1 as a guide for sprinkler times. In Charlotte, the water utility suggests watering your lawn between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. Once fall arrives, however, it is time to change the way you care for your grass to prepare it for the cooler weather ahead; here's how. Grass clippings decompose quickly and can provide up to 25 percent of the lawn’s fertilizer needs. Prolonged dry periods of high temperatures, strong winds and low relative humidity cause the lawn to appear drought-stressed. Grasscycling is simply leaving grass clippings on your lawn. Dethatching by verticutting or aerifying will assist overseeding heavily thatched lawns. All recommendations for pesticide use are for South Carolina only and were legal at the time of publication, but the status of registration and use patterns are subject to change by action of state and federal regulatory agencies. Need lawn care in Charlotte? Determine the depth of penetration with the “screwdriver test.” If you have a portable sprinkler you can move it frequently to avoid surface runoff and excessive water use. Failure to provide maintenance on the barrier at this time could result in complete failure of the barrier or could seriously damage the pond's dam. Water early in the morning; it is the most efficient and beneficial time. When is the Ideal Time to Fertilize Centipede Grass in South Carolina? Never water the grass every day except during the establishment of newly seeded, sodded or sprigged lawns. Use the screwdriver test to confirm the results of the other visual methods to help judge when you should water the lawn. Footprinting:Walk across your lawn late in the day and examine the lawn behind you to see if your steps left any “footprints.” Your footprints will appear in a lawn when the grass plants have low levels of water … Since rainfall patterns vary, seasonal droughts are common in South Carolina. Water should never be applied at a rate faster than it can be absorbed by the soil. Leaf Check: During dry periods, grass leaves respond by wilting, rolling or folding. When it comes to when to fertilize your lawn, this is the most important factor at playthat determines when the best time is for a feed. Add the appropriate amount of lime and maintain adequate levels of phosphorus and potassium to encourage deep rooting and drought tolerance. Find the best dates for planting and transplanting vegetables and fruit! As temperatures begin to drop in the fall, water demands of turfgrass decrease. Look at your footprints, a bluish-green or bluish-gray cast or wilted leaves. If one or more inches of … Unfortunately, each choice bears some consequences. For example, if the sprinkler system applies water at the rate of 2 inches per hour and you wish to apply 0.75 inches of water, then you would need to run your sprinklers for about 23 minutes. However, if you cannot apply this entire amount at once because of water running off from the lawn, apply about half an inch at a time and allow the water to soak in before you continue. So if the lawn is currently receiving 15 minutes of water … Centipede grass (Eremochloa ophiuroides) is widely grown in South Carolina and is especially suitable for people who want a dense, decent-looking lawn that requires little mowing and … A heavily thatched lawn tends to result in irregular patches of overseeded grass. Irrigating your lawn in the afternoon or early … Grass blades dry off quickly, reducing the probability of fungus spores from germinating and infecting the leaf tissues. Midday watering - during hot, dry weather - can waste water, since much of the water evaporates. Plus, the grass blades will dry quickly, preventing disease … Fertilization DO NOT apply nitrogen at this time. Yellow appearance may indicate an iron deficiency. Step 3: Turn the water on for 15 minutes. It is important to prepare the turfgrass for winter. This is the preferred time to water because it reduces the risk of disease, water loss through evaporation, and improper water distribution. As the machine rolls over the lawn, it removes cores of soil from the ground, loosening the soil. In absence of a soil test, … Most of the water will make it to the roots. Consider only those areas that need water. Mow grass to 1 inch. Randomly place three or four rain gauges, tuna cans or similar containers in each of your lawn’s watering zones, NC Cooperative Extension says, and run your irrigation system for a typical cycle. As a general rule, keeping your lawn healthy requires 1 inch of water weekly, including rainfall. A considerable amount of water is wasted with leaky hose connections and worn-out spigots. Use pesticides only according to the directions on the label. This zoysiagrass is under extreme drought conditions. As a guide, lawns usually benefit from added nutrients during the times of their active growth. Get your soil tested and follow a fertilization program according to the test results. All recommendations are for South Carolina conditions and may not apply to other areas. The water regulations in your town may be different. Mowing: Mow the lawn when it first turns green in the spring with a reel mower set at ¾ to 1 inch or a rotary mower set as low as possible without scalping. Watering your lawn at the wrong time of day wastes water and can dehydrate your grass. To measure how much water the soil has soaked up, pierce the turf with a screwdriver or similar tool. Encouraging the lawn to break dormancy and then not watering again will exhaust the plants and can cause injury. Water once every 2 to 3 days in dry weather (about 1/2 inch at each application). Fall is also an ideal time to aerate your lawn so that oxygen, water, and fertilizer can easily reach the grass’s roots. Once you water, do not water again until you observe water deficiency symptoms. Use the following techniques to identify signs or indications of water need. Color Test: When water becomes unavailable for an extended period, a lawn will exhibit a bluish-gray cast. Zoysia is a warm-season grass … For instance, a city ordinance in the suburb of Cary requires homeowners to follow a year-round, three-day-a-week watering schedule. The time of the year your grass is most actively growing will depend on your location and grass type. Watering in the early morning is best because the grass has all day to dry out before night falls. The amount of water collected at the end of the irrigation cycle — 30 minutes, for example — will tell you whether your lawn is getting too much or not enough water and will enable you to make needed adjustments. And that means you need to give the royal treatment to your lawn when it comes to watering. However, tall fescue needs more water than warm-season grasses such as zoysia or bermuda, which go dormant during the winter. Time Required to Apply Water for a Given Irrigation Rate. Step 6: Calculate the average depth of water by dividing the amount of collected water in inches by the number of cans. Look for signs of thirst to identify highly drought-prone areas: high spots; sandy locations; and areas adjacent to sidewalks, patios and driveways. Lawn care and water experts say you typically should limit watering to as much as 1 inch of water per week, including rainfall. The best time to water is very early morning before it gets hot. Mow before the grass gets taller than 1½ to 2 inches. Warm-Season Grass: Warm-season grasses include Bermuda grass… The most efficient way to water a lawn is to apply water when the lawn begins to show signs of stress from lack of water. Once you choose to water, continue watering. … at 4 to 6 inches. COVID-19 Extension Updates and Resources ... More Information », Factsheet | HGIC 1207 | Published: Oct 7, 2019 | Print. Install a sensor to stop irrigation when it’s raining. While a well-established fescue lawn can be allowed to go dormant without serious injury, a newly established lawn with a limited root system may be severely injured or killed. Use the following procedure for an in-ground system or a sprinkler at the end of a hose. Check sprinkler heads for an even spray pattern and direction of spray. A well-established fescue lawn can be allowed to go drought dormant in the summer without serious damage. The Best Time to Water Grass on a Hot Day. Use natural fertilizers with “slowly available” or “water-insoluble” nitrogen and synthetic fertilizers that contain slow-release nitrogen, such as urea formaldehyde or sulfur-coated urea. If your footprints remain for an extended period of time, the lawn should be watered to prevent the grass from becoming dormant. For instance, a. in the suburb of Cary requires homeowners to follow a year-round, three-day-a-week watering schedule. A warm-season grass known for its hardiness, Bermuda is used for golf courses, athletic fields, lawns and in parks. Look into replacing your tall fescue with grass that depends less on water. This information is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement of brand names or registered trademarks by the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service is implied, nor is any discrimination intended by the exclusion of products or manufacturers not named. If half of your yard begins to have these symptoms, it is time to water the entire turf. Grasses used in South Carolina generally consists of warm season grasses such as: bermuda, zoysia, centipede, and carpet grass is even used in shady, wet areas of the state. If this document didn’t answer your questions, please contact HGIC at hgic@clemson.edu or 1-888-656-9988. Here are some pointers to help save water when watering a lawn: Follow these steps to help the lawn deal with the stresses of summer weather: Table 1. There is a great demand for zoysia grass in South Carolina because it is nearly maintenance free. Follow this blog to stay tuned with what you need to keep your lawn in tip-top shape year-round. Adhere to the 1-Inch Guideline. Water early in the morning; it is the most efficient and beneficial time. Watering every day with a small amount will encourage a shallow root system, making the grass less drought tolerant. Besides increasing mowing time, watering may encourage weed growth, stimulate disease outbreaks and raise your water bill. If the soil is very dry, it will be difficult to push the screwdriver into the ground. Screwdriver Test: Press a screwdriver (or a reasonable facsimile) into the lawn. In Charlotte, homeowners are urged to — but not required to — water their lawns only on Tuesdays and Saturdays. You can rent a gas-powered, walk-behind lawn aerator for about $70 per day. Now that you know the sprinkler system irrigation rate, you can apply water more efficiently. Water established lawns … The most efficient way to water a lawn is to apply water when the lawn begins to show signs of stress from lack of water. For example, if the sprinkler system applies water at the rate of 2 inches per hour and you wish to apply three-quarters of an inch, then run the sprinklers for about 23 minutes. Try to stretch the interval between waterings to as many days as possible to encourage the development of deep, extensive roots. You don’t have to water the entire lawn. Turfgrasses, like all living plants, require water for growth and survival. Lawn aeration should be scheduled during the time the grass is most actively growing. The water regulations in your town may be different. Here are six tips for watering your lawn in the Charlotte, NC, area so that it’s fit for a king or queen. Also, early morning irrigation may curtail the development and spread of diseases. Water evaporation is minimized so that a high proportion of the applied water is used by the grass plants. For the same reason, the evening is the worst time to water … Use the following techniques to identify signs or indications of water need. Lawn care experts caution, however, that overnight watering can leave your grass susceptible to diseases. Evening watering promotes the spread of disease. It spreads quickly, with surface runners that form roots at the joint and the grass … When to Stop Watering Your Lawn . St. Augustine grass grows in full sun but is a very shade and salt tolerant grass. , and run your irrigation system for a typical cycle. Mow before the grass grows taller than 1 1/2 to 2 inches. Step 5: Measure the depth of water you collected. If you use a hose-end sprinkler to water turf, place the containers in a straight line from the sprinkler to the edge of the watering pattern. Mowing:Mow the lawn when it first turns green in the spring using a reel mower set at 3/4 to 1 inch or a rotary mower set as low as possible without scalping the lawn. Charlotte Water recommends watering your lawn to a soil depth of 6 to 8 inches to encourage the growth of grass roots. The Center for Turfgrass Environmental Research and Education at North Carolina State University. The most common grass … During such times, plants wilt even though water may be in the soil. Here are a few things you should cover: Roughly 90 percent of the grass in the Charlotte area is tall fescue. Charlotte Water recommends watering your lawn to a soil depth of 6 to 8 inches to encourage the growth of grass roots. Space the containers evenly. Early morning is the best time to water. As experts in sod and grass, Sodbusters, located in Charleston, South Carolina, knows that Saint Augustine grass is a favorite among homeowners throughout the state. Test the sprinkler heads to ensure they’re operating correctly. Our free planting guide calculates the best dates for sowing seeds indoors and … You can also sample the soil from the root zone and see if it feels dry. Visit our Charlotte lawn care page,  Or choose your city from the list below: As seen in Forbes, CNBC and USA Today, LawnStarter lets makes it easy to schedule service with a local lawn care professional. Climatic areas of South Carolina is very similar to North Carolina with the exception that western Mountain areas of S.C. are not as cool and coastal areas are slightly warmer than N.C. You can divide South Carolina … The symptoms of … Here’s What You Need to Know About Brown Patch in Charlotte, 5 Tips for Fall Lawn Care in Charlotte, NC, 4 Best Grass Types for Your Lawn in Charlotte, NC, A Few Quick Lawn Mowing Tips for First-Time Homeowners in Charlotte, NC, A Quick Guide to Spring Lawn Care in Charlotte, NC, 5 Tips for Prepping Your Charlotte, NC Lawn for Spring, 2021’s Best and Worst States for Living Off the Grid, 10 Walkway Ideas for Your Yard and Garden, 14 Treehouse Ideas for Your Backyard Playhouse. Healthy, dense strips of warm-season grass sod can be laid anytime of year, but is best done in South Carolina when the temperatures remain above 55 degrees Fahrenheit for several weeks. Also, the demand for water by industry and municipalities is usually low at this time. Spray iron (ferrous) sulfate (2 ounces in water … LawnStarter is a startup making lawn care easy affordable and reliable. Get easy-to-understand, actionable yard tips that will give you the greenest grass on the block. Water in the early morning if possible. The leaves have rolled, and some foliage has died.Joey Williamson, ©2019 HGIC, Clemson Extension. Step 7: Multiply the average depth by 4 to determine the application rate in inches per hour. Most people irrigate for a given number of minutes without knowing how much water they are really applying. These amounts will moisten the soil to a depth of 4 to 6 inches. Follow all directions, precautions and restrictions that are listed. Cool-season lawns are best aerified in the fall; warm-season lawns in the summer. Cool season grasses such … Grass carp should be stocked in the spring for best results. Meanwhile, Cary recommends watering early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid losing up to 50 percent of the water to daytime evaporation. To measure how much water the soil has soaked up, pierce the turf with a screwdriver or similar tool. Remove any excess thatch so the seed can make good contact with the soil. You may have no control over when you can water if you use municipal water, since you may have to schedule watering to avoid peak residential water use. Many South Carolina homeowners overseed their dormant, warm-season lawns with perennial or annual ryegrass. How to Calibrate a Sprinkler: Knowing the amount of water an irrigation system applies over a certain time period is an important step in using water efficiently. A new lawn of fescue that is less well-established, only a few months old and has a limited root system can be severely thinned and may need to be replanted. Footprinting: Walk across your lawn late in the day and examine the lawn behind you to see if your steps left any “footprints.” Your footprints will appear in a lawn when the grass plants have low levels of water in their tissues. Watering your lawn in the afternoon or early evening. Water at the right time. This seldom happens with small sprinklers unless the lawn is very dense or the soil is compacted. Sowing in the fall, about 30 days before the first frost, ensures a green cover during the winter when warm-season grass … To prevent water waste, make sure your sprinklers are pointed away from your driveway and sidewalks. These symptoms signal that watering is necessary to prevent the turfgrass from turning brown and becoming dormant. Most of the water will have time … Based on Soil Moisture Depth In general, St. Augustine grass needs its soil to have a moist 6-inch top layer. The Best Time to Water Grass Regardless of the type of grass you are growing, the best time to water your lawn is very early in the morning before it gets hot. If a lawn exhibits symptoms of drought stress, apply about half an inch of water on coarse, sandy soil and 1 inch of water on heavy or fine-textured soil. NEVER burn off centipedegrass to remove excessive debris. This is because the leaves lose water faster than can be absorbed through the root system. In South Carolina, we have several different grasses that are used for residential and commercial turf. However, always check the soil since watering may be needed. If the sprinkler applies too much water, it runs off and is wasted. Copyright © 2020 Clemson UniversityClemson Cooperative Extension | 103 Barre Hall Clemson, SC 29634864-986-4310 | Contact UsHGIC@clemson.edu, College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences, Centipedegrass Yearly Maintenance Program. Planting calendars for places in South Carolina. Step 2: If you have an in-ground system, randomly place the containers in one zone at a time. The Center for Turfgrass Environmental Research and Education at North Carolina State University puts the range at 4 to 6 inches. For an in-ground, automatic sprinkler system, set the time clock to “off” and manually turn the system “on” when the lawn needs water. If you choose to allow the lawn to go dormant, you can expect warm-season grasses — such as centipedegrass, bermudagrass, St. Augustinegrass or zoysiagrass — to remain alive and grow when more favorable conditions prevail. Take care not to overwater, as disease problems may increase. The experts at Sodbusters located in Charleston, South Carolina, know how zoysia grass seed grows beautiful lawns with the thick cushiony feel of lush carpet. Fix any leaks, drips and broken equipment that you come across. This is not exactly correct, there are many variables involved in knowing when to water or not to water your lawn. Remember that the warm-season grasses that thrive in the South need plenty of water as they get established; never allow a new lawn to dry out. If the Saint Augustine grass is looking a little pale or worse for wear, then it would be best to slightly adjust watering times until the grass regains its lushness. In lawns on compacted clay soil where water does not penetrate easily, consider aerifying the lawn. This leads either to giving too little water or to wasted water, which runs down sidewalks and streets, or through the root zone and deep into the ground where grass roots cannot reach it. Bob Polomski, PhD, Extension Consumer Horticulturist, Clemson UniversityDebbie Shaughnessy, Former HGIC Information Specialist, Clemson University, Joey Williamson, PhD, HGIC Horticulture Extension Agent, Clemson University. ... Avoid removing more than a third of the leaf's total blade length at one time… asiseeitGetty Images “The absolute best time to water your lawn is the early morning, before 10AM,” says Maurer. Reduce thatch layers thicker than half an inch by dethatching. Check for damaged sprinkler heads and replace heads that leak. If you want to reign as the king or queen of your neighborhood in and around the Queen City, you’ve got to take good care of your lawn. To figure out how much water adds up to 1 inch, do the “tuna can” test. The nitrogen in these types of fertilizer does not quickly wash away, and it provides green color without causing excessive leaf growth. To determine how long to run a sprinkler system for irrigation rates not listed in Table 1, use Equation 1 in the box below. Time to Stock. The automatic position on the time clock is useful when you are away for more than a few days. Step 4: After the elapsed time, collect the cans and pour the water into a single can. Calibrating or determining the rate of water a sprinkler system applies is an easy job. Containers that are 3 to 6 inches in diameter work best. The holes also serve as water reservoirs by collecting water that reduces surface runoff. If you live in an area that has four distinct seasons, autumn is a time when temperatures begin to drop, the days become shorter, and the growth of your grass … The time of day when you water the grass is also important. 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