The Winter Watering Mistake That Can Wreck Your Grass

Watering your lawn is crucial for lush and green grass, but do you need to keep doing it when the weather gets colder? Watering your lawn in the winter might still be necessary if you live in a region with mild winters and warm temperatures. But you don't need to water it as much as you do in spring and summer, and if you haven't changed up your routine much, you could be at risk of overwatering your lawn. Here, learn what signs you need to look out for to avoid overwatering your lawn in the winter.

Is Overwatering Common in the Winter?

As long as you change your watering schedule in the winter, it's unlikely that you'll overwater your grass. Ross Hulstein, owner at Enviroscapes, explains that in cold states with consistent snow, watering isn’t necessary, but for places in the southern United States, “winters can be quite dry, so cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass can be watered occasionally. Warm-season grasses like Bermuda or Centipede grass require less water during dormancy.”

If you live in a place with mild winters and have an automated watering system, it may need to be adjusted to reduce the risk of moisture buildup. You may want to switch to manual watering or set your system to water half as much per cycle as it normally does. In the wintertime, grass doesn’t grow often or it might not grow at all; therefore, it doesn’t need as many nutrients or as much water. 

Related: Stop Walking on Your Lawn When It’s Frozen—Here’s Why

How Can You Avoid Overwatering Your Lawn?

Lawns don’t need as much water in the winter. Even if you live in a warmer region, watering your lawn once a month is likely more than sufficient in the winter. If you’ve had rain the past month, you can skip watering. Another way to avoid overwatering is by testing the soil’s moisture. Drive a screwdriver into the ground at least four inches deep, pull it out, and see where the moisture ends. If the first two inches of the screwdriver are dry, you should water your lawn. 

When Is the Best Time to Water Your Lawn in Winter?

The best time to water your lawn in the winter is when the temperatures are above 40 degrees Fahrenheit, including at night. You don’t want to water your lawn when the temperature falls below 40 degrees, as it can lead to frost. 

Hulstein notes, “You should water in the morning on a relatively warm day, when the soil is not frozen and able to absorb moisture, so that the water is absorbed before temperatures drop in the evening and ice forms. Watering should consist of just lightly moistening the root zone, about half the amount of water used in summer.”

In winter, it's best to water your lawn between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. That will allow the grass to absorb all the water before nighttime. 

Related: Start Your Spring Grass Seeding Before It's Too Late

How Much Should You Water Your Lawn in Winter?

During the winter, lawns that still need water only require half of the amount they normally do in the summer, which is about an inch of water a week. In the winter, you can aim to water your lawn with at least an inch of water a month. Keep track of the rain in your area, so you don’t overwater your lawn. 

Watering your lawn for about 20 minutes will provide about half an inch of water. Of course, the type of watering system and water pressure will vary, but about 20 minutes is a safe amount of time. 

Want to be precise? Perform a “tuna can test”: Place about six empty tuna cans in different parts of your lawn and run your watering system. Stop at the 10-minute mark. Measure how much water they have collected. Based on your findings, you can calculate the exact amount of time you need to water your lawn. 

Related: Never Plant This Grass Seed Type in the Spring

Signs That You’re Overwatering Your Lawn

Although it's unlikely to happen, there’s still a risk of overwatering your lawn in the winter. Signs include: 

• Very moist soil
• Buildup from recent rain
• Visible puddles
• Yellowing grass
• Bare patches 
• Mushrooms 
• Fungi 
• Extra weeds 

Signs That You Need to Water Your Lawn

These are some signs you need to water your lawn in the winter. Remember, just do half of what you normally would do in the summer. 

• Dry or brittle grass 
• Grass with a dull, grayish tint
• Dry soil 
• There’s a drought in your area
• An extended period of time without rain