Make the Most of Your Irrigation this Summer

Proper irrigation is a key component of any lawn care program in Burlington. Whether you're tending a large estate, or simply maintaining a small urban plot, your grass requires deep and consistent irrigation in order to flourish during the hot, dry months of summer.

Don't let heat stress ruin the health and vitality of your lawn. Follow these lawn care in Burlington irrigation tips in order to protect and enhance your lawn's appearance.

How Much is Too Much?
Every lawn is unique; from the type of grass to the composition of the soil, there are multiple factors which will contribute to your turf's hydration needs. The following breaks down these factors into further detail, providing you with a better understanding of your lawn's unique irrigation needs.

How Grass Type Impacts Irrigation
Different grass types require different amounts of irrigation in order to sustain healthy growth (sturdy grass roots are usually 15 to 20 centimetres deep). Here's a quick look at the irrigation requirements for common grass types:

  • Lawns that are predominantly made up of tall fescue grasses are surprisingly drought resistant. This is because they have a naturally deep root system. As such, they can survive on minimal inground irrigation treatments.
  • Kentucky bluegrass, one of the most common grass varieties, consistently goes dormant during periods of hot, dry weather. It's best to let this happen naturally, rather than attempt to force it back to life with overzealous watering applications.
  • Other warm-season grasses, like zoysia, St. Augustine, and bermudagrass all thrive in warm conditions. As such, these grasses normally require as much as 20 percent less water than cool-season grass types.

With that being said, a good rule of thumb is to provide your lawn with 2 or 3 centimetres of water per week.

Soil Type and Your Irrigation
As with grass type, soil composition will also impact your irrigation and lawn care in Burlington. This is because different soil types – loamy, sandy, or clay-based – retain moisture differently. For example, sandy soils absorb water quickly. As such they need less water more frequently. Approximately 3 centimetres of water will penetrate as far as 30 centimetres into the soil. Loamy soil, on the other hand, absorbs water evenly, without any puddling or runoff. Approximately 3 centimetres of water will penetrate up to 17 centimetres in this soil type. Clay-based soils, the densest soil type, absorbs water slowly. This often results in runoff if water is applied to quickly. Approximately 3 centimetres of water will penetrate up to 12 centimetres.

Age and its Impact
There's one final key element that you'll want to consider when planning your irrigation and lawn care in Burlington: your lawn's age. While all lawns will benefit from regular irrigation, new lawns are especially desperate for hydration. The first year of growth is a critical time. Relying solely on rainfall to establish a healthy root system simply won't cut it. You'll need to supply supplemental irrigation with a sprinkler system during the first 12 months of growth in order to ensure the roots take.

Don't Waste Water
Water conservation is critical during the hot months of summer. Here are some important tips to keep in mind when programming your inground irrigation system:

  • Ensure proper distribution: If your lawn isn't being watered evenly, contact one of our lawn care in Burlington experts. We'll send a technician out to adjust your inground irrigation system.
  • Time it right: Water an hour or two before sunrise to minimize evaporation.
  • Simplify your cycles: If your lawn is subject to high runoff rates (i.e. the soil is clay-based or your property features a steep slope) tweak your watering cycle to ensure short irrigation periods.
  • Inspect your system: Regular maintenance will help ensure that your irrigation system is functioning properly. Contact a lawn care in Burlington representative at Nutri-Lawn today to schedule a service call.

Water  your lawn with confidence this summer. Talk to a lawn care in Burlington expert from Nutri-Lawn today to ensure your irrigation program is poised for success.