We all know that appropriate watering is crucial for maintaining a healthy, green lawn. But there are several myths about watering grass. Some people suggest that irrigating your lawn at night is the best period. Others advise against watering grass at night. So what’s the truth? This article discusses the watering grass at night myth: good or bad. Keep reading.
Watering grass at night is bad because it stimulates ideal mold, mildew, and fungal growth conditions. It also leads to problems like disrupted grass activity, waterlogging, pests, and weeds. The myth began because there is less evaporation at night, and the water will soak into the ground. This damp environment is perfect for all the lawn problems that damage or kill your property.
Why Watering Grass at Night Is a Bad Idea
While there may be a dozen reasons not to do so, here are the five main reasons why watering grass at night is a bad idea.
1. Fungal growth
Watering grass at night is a bad idea as it promotes fungal growth. There’s no sun to dry the turf blades at night, so they stay wet for prolonged periods. This creates ideal conditions for fungi to thrive, leading to brown patches and dollar spots.
2. Disrupted grass activity
Another reason why watering grass at night is a bad idea is the lack of transpiration. This process is essential for regulating plants’ temperature, as the leaves’ stomata open during the day to allow moisture evaporation. Since the stomata can’t open at night to expel the moisture, watering at night leads to plant rot.
3. Waterlogging
Watering your lawn at night leads to waterlogging as there is no moisture evaporation. This blocks oxygen from reaching the turf roots, resulting in root rot and drainage problems.
4. Pests
Dark and damp places created when you water your lawn at night attract pests like slugs which can damage your lawn.
5. Weeds
Grass cannot grow healthy when you water it at night. As a result, weeds like crabgrass and dandelions will invade and take over your property.
Also read: Does Lightning Make Grass Green?
When Is the Best Time to Water Grass?
When you water your yard, you expect the ground to absorb enough water to boost grass growth. However, you don’t want it to absorb too much to harm your lawn. That’s why knowing the appropriate time to irrigate your yard is critical.
Several people say the best time to water grass is at night, but the reverse is true. Watering your lawn after the sun rises is best as the weather is still cool. Besides, the moisture won’t evaporate quickly and will be readily available for grass throughout the day.
Avoid watering your turf at night or evening, as the grass blades will remain wet throughout the night. These wet and dark conditions cause fungal growth or lawn diseases, which damage your property.
Watering Grass at Night Myth FAQs
Q: Does the grass need to be watered every day?
A: It’s a bad idea to water your lawn daily. Too much water causes more harm than good to your grass. It makes the soil damp, thus inviting lawn diseases and pests. Therefore, check the soil first to see if it’s dry before watering your lawn. Ensure you irrigate the soil deeply each watering session.
Q: Is it bad to water the grass on a hot day?
A: It is a bad idea to water your lawn during the hottest part of the day. The reason is that all the moisture will evaporate from the soil before the deep root area absorbs it. The roots will become shallow as they can’t reach the water needed to grow deeper and stronger. Shallow roots are bad news for your property as they cause several lawn problems.
Bottom Line
Watering grass at night is a bad and unnecessary practice that can damage your yard. It stimulates ideal conditions for fungal and bacterial growth. It also leads to problems like disrupted grass activity, waterlogging, pests, and weeds.
Note; there is less evaporation at night, and the water will soak into the ground. This will create a damp environment, which results in all the above lawn problems. Therefore, the ideal time to water your lawn is after the sun rises.
