Like any other plant, lawn grass needs regular watering. And, like any plant, it will react both to an excess of moisture and to its lack. Therefore, it is important to have an idea about how to properly water the lawn. Of course, no one wants to stand with a hose in their hands and water it for hours, especially if you are out of town for just a few days.

lauryhasm / Flickr.com

You will not lose your precious hours of rest if your lawn has automatic watering system. This means that your lawn is watered according to a predetermined program in the mode you have chosen. The more expensive the automatic watering system, the more complex and, accordingly, “smarter” it is. Such a system will not water your lawn on rainy days, and with the help of sensors, it will automatically determine whether to water or postpone watering. And besides, he will water not just with water, pumping it directly from the well, but will take it from the storage tank, in which the water becomes comfortable for the temperature of the grass. After all, you don’t water your cucumbers and tomatoes with cold water. tap water. In addition, all kinds of sprayers also contribute to heating the water to ambient temperature.

The most comfortable lawn water temperature- this is 18º-20ºС, it can be lower, but not less than + 10ºС. Atopic irrigation system can be installed independently, but nevertheless, it is the specialists in this business who will be able to qualitatively develop a plan-scheme for covering all your sites, taking into account all geometric features lawn, all zones and plants growing on it. Of course, there are automatic watering systems that are both simpler and more budgetary. But then be prepared to regulate both watering time and frequency, and do not forget to turn off automatic watering during the rains. After all excess moisture can cause more tangible harm than its lack. A lawn that is over-watered, and if it also lacks a good drainage layer, will look like it's October in mid-summer. The soil does not have time to dry out, the roots do not breathe, they begin to rot, the grass turns yellow and droops, bald spots appear, mushrooms begin to grow actively. Good conditions are created for the appearance of moss. Only powerful and strong herbs become active, which in nature tolerate waterlogging well, hummocks form.

Steve p2008/Flickr.com

The most typical mistake owners of lawns with automatic watering is to increase the time of watering on hot days. Always let the sod dry out between waterings, no matter how hot it gets. In extreme heat, the pattern of growth and appearance of the lawn changes for everyone, on lawns with automatic watering it is much better, but the most open and areas along the tiles and concrete paths. Be sure to consider what kind of soil you have on the lawn, and what types of grasses grow there. It is better to have a drought for a while than a flood. In drought, it is mainly the upper ground part grass, and then it quickly recovers again as soon as the rains come. After all, the root system of some cereals reaches a meter. Drought-tolerant weeds such as clover and yarrow can thrive.

How to water the lawn if you do not have an automatic watering system? There is a wide variety of sprinklers and all kinds of "sprinklers" that will do the job for you. You will only need to periodically move the waterer to areas that have not yet been watered. If the lawn is large enough (5-8 acres), then it makes sense to purchase a hose system with several rotating sprinklers. Watering cans and holding the hose in your hands are the least suitable.

Wally Roth/Flickr.com

How often to water the lawn? If there is normal summer weather without abnormal heat, with occasional rains, if the plants in your garden do not show signs of wilting and do not suffer, then there is no need to regularly water the lawn. If it rains rarely, there are other plants and trees on the site, then the lawn should be watered 2-3 times a week. Consider appearance grass (the lawn must be elastic, and the grass should be shiny, without yellowing), the composition of the lawn mixture, the density of the grass, the presence of mature trees with a powerful root system on the lawn, the composition of the soil on the lawn, air humidity, etc. etc. It may be enough for you to water once a week, and perhaps every day. Young and newly sown lawns must be watered every day.

When to water the lawn? It is best to do this either in the morning from 6 am to 9 am, or in the evening from 7 pm to 10 pm. If you water the lawn during the day, on a hot and sunny day, then the bulk of the water will evaporate immediately during watering or on the grass, and at the same time, water drops can cause burns, working like a lens under the sun's rays.

Pavlina Jane/Flickr.com

How much water does lawn grass need? Another common mistake is watering the lawn little and often. If you do not have stationary waterers, be prepared to hold the hose in your hands for 2-3 hours to water at least a piece of the lawn with high quality. It is better to water less often, but in sufficient quantity. How much water does your lawn need? And this can be calculated, especially since the moisture rate per 1 sq.m. known - it is 10-20 liters. It is this amount of water that will soak the soil to the required depth of 15-20 cm.

How long should the lawn be watered? If you put some container on the lawn (a jar, for example) and start watering, then after 12-13 mm of water accumulates in the jar, it will mean that about 10 liters of water per meter got on your lawn (irrigation place). sq. When there is 25 mm of water in the jar, this is 20 liters of water for each watered square meter. Time yourself and estimate how much time you need to spend watering your lawn.

Before you arrange a lawn on your site, consider this important issue of watering. After all, you do not want your material investments to be wasted. The lawn is simply "obliged" to be beautiful and well-groomed in order to please not only the eyes, but also your body. Walking on the lawn barefoot - what could be more pleasant and useful?

A well-groomed lawn, playing with shades of greenery, is an adornment of any site. It is pleasant to run barefoot on it, lie down, resting from country cares, play with children or a dog. In order for it to constantly please the eye, proper care is needed, and both its condition and the mood of others depend on how often to water the lawn.

How to know if your lawn needs watering

All living things need moisture, and the grass on the front lawn is no exception. But, like cucumbers or potatoes, overflowing is contraindicated for her. In order not to develop putrefactive processes, the lawn is watered at certain times, taking into account the frequency of natural precipitation and the proximity of occurrence. ground water.

Regularly moistening the lawn not only provides the grass with moisture, but also maintains the temperature balance of the soil. The first watering, very plentiful, is carried out immediately after sowing the grass, using the sprinkling method.

Further, before germination, it is necessary to take into account the actual state of the weather and the moisture requirements of the seeds of the sown grass. If there is no such information regarding the seeds, proceed as follows: on sunny days they water it daily, and on cloudy weather they monitor the moisture content of the upper soil layer.

With the advent of seedlings, it becomes easier to determine the need for watering: the grass in need of moisture begins to fade, loses its elasticity. If you walk on such a lawn, footprints remain for about half an hour. The need for watering is also assessed using a long, from 15 cm, screwdriver or thin stick. If the tool easily enters the soil, the time for watering has not yet come.

Advice: “To owners who rarely visit country cottage area, it is advisable to sow drought-resistant lawn grass: ryegrass, reed and filiform fescue, bent grass.

What time of day is best to water

It is undesirable to water on a hot sunny day: drops of water will produce the effect of numerous lenses, that is, they will attract the rays of the sun and focus them on the surface of the blades of grass, leading to burns.

In many regions, evening watering is also undesirable: upper layer the soil does not have time to dry out, and a night drop in temperature creates favorable conditions for the development of fungal diseases and rot. In the heat, the optimal time is from 6 to 9 in the morning: the moisture has time to be absorbed, and the blades of grass dry up to the peak of solar intensity.

How often to water

The frequency of watering the lawn depends on several factors, among which there are no minor ones:

1. landscape type. A lawn located on a slope has to be watered more often than on level ground or in a lowland.
2. The soil. Loams are characterized by excellent ability to retain moisture. One square meter is able to “hide” about 60 liters of water in itself, clay holds 30–35 liters, sandstones - no more than 20 liters.
3. Weather. It's no secret that it can change overnight.
4. Type of lawn grass - moisture-loving or drought-resistant.
5. Season. More water is needed in summer than in spring or autumn.

In general, the lawn irrigation regime for 2 years and older is as follows:

• from early April to mid-May watered once a week;
• from mid-May to mid-September - 2 times a week;
• from mid-September to the end of October - once a week.

In the south, the irrigation regime in May and September corresponds to the summer one.

In drought, water daily, and in non-hot cloudy weather without precipitation or at temperatures below 15 ° C - 1-2 times a week. Also need watering outside the schedule in stressful situations: after each haircut and top dressing.

The lawn cannot be watered for future use. Such a measure is more likely to do harm than good: excess moisture not only creates a favorable environment for pathogenic fungi, but also deprives the roots of an incentive to grow, making it difficult for oxygen to reach them.

How much water do you need

The amount of water poured out at a time also depends on several factors: the depth of groundwater, soil moisture capacity, weather conditions. The optimal watering rate is considered to be 10–30 l / m 2 at one time.

The total water consumption is obtained by multiplying this number by the area of ​​the lawn. When watering, make sure that the water is completely absorbed into the soil, and does not leave puddles. After 15-20 minutes after its completion, they check how deeply the moisture has been absorbed. Wetting the soil by 10 cm indicates a sufficient amount of water.

Watering methods

There are three main methods: sprinkling, drip irrigation, subsoil irrigation.

Sprinkling

Irrigation - watering, simulating rain. The process is manual and automatic (automated).

Manual watering is done from a hose ending in a sprayer, less often from a watering can. The method is suitable for small lawns. Automatic or semi-automatic sprinkling is a complex consisting of a pressurized water supply system (water supply, well, storage capacity with pump), hoses of suitable length, sprinklers.

Sprinkler installations are divided into two groups: stationary and mobile. Everything is clear here, either they stand in certain places, providing sufficient moisture to all corners of the lawn, or they are moved around the lawn to cover the entire area. Sprinklers also differ in design, they either direct the flow of water in one direction, rotate or swing.

Economical sprinklers are pulsating sprinklers equipped with rotating nozzles. Moisture is supplied in small portions, and in short breaks the sprinkler turns to a predetermined angle. Water does not spread over the surface of the lawn, but has time to soak into the soil.

Stationary sprinklers create certain inconveniences when mowing the lawn. FROM retractable option there is no such problem: being turned off, it is hidden in the lower layer of the lawn. When turned on, it rises. However, this method is quite expensive, because you have to lay pipes for water, install special nozzles. Equally important is the constant good pressure in the water supply system.

Drip irrigation

A method that has long earned the recognition of summer residents at least by the fact that watering can be carried out in daytime: moisture is supplied directly to the roots of the grass. And saving water plays a special role in areas where its consumption is strictly regulated or payment (considerable!) Is made according to the readings of flow meters. Drip irrigation can occur without human intervention, that is, be fully automatic. To do this, just set a timer that turns on the water supply at a certain time.

The only drawback is the rather laborious process of pulling and folding the hoses before and after each haircut.

Subsoil irrigation

The most expensive way to water the lawn, but with a long list of advantages: the soil is saturated with oxygen; the near-Earth air layer does not experience waterlogging; minimize the risk of fungal diseases. Irrigation of the soil occurs through perforations on pipes, usually plastic, placed directly in the soil under the lawn. The method is ideal for maintaining water regime lawns located on the slopes.

What not to do when watering your lawn

The attractiveness and health of the lawn is largely dependent on proper watering. Despite the seeming simplicity of the procedure, often, especially for beginner summer residents, problems arise. They are associated with gross violations of the rules of irrigation.

Short and frequent watering or watering several times a day. It leads to the near-surface development of the lawn grass root system. Under such conditions, even drought-resistant species lose this quality, their immunity is weakened.

Overflow, puddle formation. Excess moisture either seeps into deeper layers, not bringing much benefit to the lawn, or stagnates on the surface, provoking acidification of the soil or rotting grass. When laying out lawns in areas with uneven surface provide a drainage system and gutters to prevent stagnation of water after irrigation.

Unacceptable irrigation media. A hose or watering can without a spray nozzle causes mechanical damage to the lawn, eroding the soil and washing the grass out of it.

temperature shock. Irrigation is unacceptable cold water, i.e. with a temperature below 10°C. This is the “sin” of underground watering the lawn and moistening from a hose if the water is taken directly from a well or water supply. Optimum temperature water 15–25 ° С, with the drip method, the water has time to warm up before it hits the grass roots. In this regard, it is impossible to make claims to the watering can if it is filled from the “duty” container.

Watering at the wrong time. A wet lawn has two enemies: scorching sun and cold nights.

Roll-up lawns, which are gaining popularity, require compliance with all the above watering rules, both after planting (spreading) and all subsequent time. It is important not to forget that they include bluegrass, which is not particularly drought-resistant.

A well-groomed lawn not only decorates the site or serves as a fitness area, which is healthier, by the way, than the usual rug. He does another important function: purifies and heals the air. A properly watered lawn is good for the health of all the inhabitants of the cottage.

Lush vegetation on the lawn and beautiful flowers flowerbeds require constant attention and care. Over time, regular watering turns into a boring duty. Automatic drip irrigation of the lawn can help, which is so simple and understandable in terms of device and installation that you can do it yourself. Is it worth choosing this type of irrigation and how does it differ from sprinkler? Let's figure it out.

Drip irrigation is recommended for irrigation of greenhouse plants, trees and shrubs, flower beds, beds, plantations. It is also suitable for watering lawns if it is not possible to install a sprinkler system (for example, if the lawn is narrow or has a complex curved shape).

The main part of the system is a long hose with holes located along its entire length. Spot irrigation provides an even and constant distribution of water. The system works at a speed that allows water to hit the surface of the soil and soak in a certain period of time. In 2 hours, one drop point of the soil is saturated with water 10-15 cm deep and the same in a radius, provided that the system is adjusted for watering flowers.

Drip irrigation for the lawn is installed in areas where it is not possible to arrange sprinkler irrigation. In this diagram - a narrow section on the right side

Benefits of using a drip system:

• distortion of the irrigation sector is excluded (unlike sprinklers, which are partially dependent on the direction and strength of the wind);
• watering of a specific root area of ​​the plant is provided;
• water does not enter neighboring landscape zones;
• watering is evenly distributed over the entire area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe site;
• there is no crust on the soil surface;
• system installation is not required earthworks, takes little time;
• there is a possibility of feeding plants with mineral fertilizers;
• saves both water and personal time.

Another indisputable plus is the budget cost of the entire set of equipment. The minimum set, including the main pipe, fittings, droppers, drain pipes, drip tips, a timer, a punch, costs no more than 3,000 rubles. Separately, a water tank and a submersible pump are purchased. System automatic watering do-it-yourself is an opportunity to save on the purchase of expensive equipment.

Users drip systems Irrigation notes only two minuses:

• short service life (from 2 to 5 years) - which means that as the parts of the system wear out, it will be necessary to replace them with new ones;
• the possibility of damage to the dropper (hoses) by rodents or pets.

The minimum set for automatic drip irrigation includes a set of droppers, a timer, fittings, plugs, taps. Submersible pump, if necessary, purchased separately

System Mount Order

The correct automatic watering device depends on the area of ​​the treated area. As an example, let's take the installation of an irrigation system on a lawn 6 meters long. Suppose flowers are planted along the edge of the lawn, the distance between which is 40 cm.

Hardware assembly steps:

• It is better to start by installing a water intake tank. You can use any suitable barrel or buy plastic tank in the shop.
• Tank installation submersible pump. When buying it, you should pay attention to specifications- pump power should be enough to irrigate the entire area of ​​the lawn.
• Connection to the main pipe pump (a pipe 16 mm in diameter will do). There are two options for taking the pipe out of the tank: through the tank lid, if the pump power allows, or through a specially drilled hole 16 mm in diameter at the bottom of the container. A fitting with a seal is inserted into the hole, and already a pipe is inserted into it. Seal the joint with sealant.
• Distribution of the main pipe for 3 or 4 droppers using fittings. Droppers are laid to the end of the lawn. Plugs are installed at the end of each hose (or pipe).
• Layering for separate watering of flower bushes - droppers run along the planting, near the root system.
• Using a punch, holes are made in the main pipe for droppers ( ready-made options droppers are marked, you just need to select the one you need - for example, 8 l / h or 12 l / h). In droppers under flower bushes, holes are punched near each plant. When using additional tubes, their ends are equipped with drip tips that are stuck near the root system.
• Setting a timer that regulates the operation of the pump. At a certain moment, he turns on the supply of electricity, starts the pump - and the system operates for a given period of time. For example, you can set the system to turn on at 8:00 and turn off at 8:30. If the dropper has parameters of 2 l / h, during this period each plant will receive 1 liter of water. The timer is electronic, powered by batteries, and mechanical.

As a container for drip irrigation, many use an ordinary barrel, setting it at a certain height

Starting taps connect the main pipe and droppers (hoses)

A timer to adjust the watering time can be purchased with the irrigation system

We also invite you to watch a video on the topic:

Operation and maintenance of equipment

In order for our automatic lawn watering to function properly, it must be tested, and at the same time washed. To do this, remove the plugs at the ends of the droppers and turn on the water. Pure water, flowing from all hoses, is a sign that the system is tight and working correctly. Such flushing should be carried out from time to time to prevent clogging of pipes and hoses.

Visual inspection of hoses and pipes will help to eliminate blockages in time. After turning on the system, you should go along each dropper, paying attention to wet spots near the holes. Depending on the adjustment, they should have a diameter of 10 to 40 cm and be the same size. If there is no stain or it is smaller than the others, you will have to clean or replace the dropper. Puddles of water also indicate that the system is not working properly - most likely, the tightness is broken.

The test of the drip irrigation system can be carried out in parts: for this, it is necessary to open the start valves only on certain hoses

The correct operation of droppers is easy to check by the size of wet spots on the soil.

There may be a problem - automatic watering of the site will stop. The reason, most likely, will be a blockage in the dropper.

What types of blockages are there and how to eliminate them?

1. Mechanical. Pipes and hoses are clogged with suspended particles - sand, silt, undissolved fertilizers. There will be no problem if you use special filters that need to be washed periodically.
2. Chemical. It occurs due to too hard water. Normal pH values ​​​​are 5-7, to maintain them they resort to acidic additives recommended for irrigation systems.
3. Biological. blockages of this type associated with the vital activity of organisms, as a result of which plaque, mucus, algae appear. Light chlorination and regular flushing will rid the equipment of biological contaminants.

In autumn, at the end of the irrigation season, the equipment is washed, dried and dismantled. There should be no water left in pipes and droppers. Electronic and mechanical devices - pumps, timers, controllers, sensors - are best moved to a heated room. Hoses and pipes can be left in the ground for the winter, but their service life will be significantly reduced from this.

Filters for drip irrigation systems are a barrier to mechanical and biological contaminants

If at the end of the season the drip equipment is rinsed and put away for the winter, it will last much longer.

That's all. Having arranged in early spring do-it-yourself automatic watering, you can without extra hassle enjoy the green lawn and lush flower beds all summer long.

In order for the lawn to be constantly green, to grow well and densely, and, importantly, to be able to walk on it, it must be watered correctly and regularly. The intensity of watering depends on many factors, such as the type of lawn, season, air and water temperature. A lawn that does not need to be watered and mowed exists only in the dreams of gardeners, since any plant needs to be looked after. Careful care requires both sown and rolled lawn, regardless of where it grows: in the country or on the site near the house.

When to water the lawn?

The frequency of watering the lawn directly depends on the air temperature. When asked when is the best time to do this, the answer is simple - throughout the summer season. The irrigation season begins from the moment the seeds are sown in early spring and ends only with the onset of cold weather.

A new turf must be watered immediately after laying the strips, and if the land is large, then during the laying of the rolls.

There is no exact formula for proper watering with the ratio of water amount and regularity, since all components change depending on the size of the site, grass type and climate. For example, white bentgrass can dry out at the first rise in air temperature in summer if it is not watered twice a day (morning and evening), while fescue is able to tolerate drought and continue to grow immediately after watering or warm rain. People who don't have enough free time, it is recommended to choose a heat-resistant grass variety.

The approximate regularity of watering a lawn planted from seeds in spring and summer:

• during a severe drought and a rise in air temperature to 30 degrees Celsius and above, it is recommended to water the site daily in the morning and evening;
• under the same conditions as described above, but for a lawn grown on sandy soil, the frequency of watering is reduced to once every 2 or 3 days;
• in cool and windy weather, watering should be carried out at least once a week.

Note: in autumn, the lawn should be watered at intervals of 1 time in 10 days.

Rolled lawn, even in hot weather, should not be watered more than 3 or 4 times a week. The soil should dry out well between waterings. Watering a lawn laid out from rolls should be plentiful so that the soil is saturated with moisture at least 10 cm deep. Approximate quantity water per 1 square meter is 20 liters.

It is not recommended to water the lawn during the daytime in the heat, as plants can get burned due to drops of cool water. During the day, you can water the site only in cool weather or in autumn period. In the evening, it is recommended to water the lawn between 4 and 6 hours, so that the grass dries out a little before nightfall, otherwise high humidity can cause a fungal infection.

Signs of lack of moisture

For healthy growth of lawn grass, it is important to observe systematic watering. Watering a site is just as dangerous as not watering it often enough.

The first signs that the grass lacks moisture are as follows:

• the lawn began to “trample down” (the grass almost does not rise after being crushed down);
• the grass begins to curl;
• color changes from deep green to brown;
• bald spots appear on the site;
• the grass begins to wither or turn yellow.

Some varieties of plants remain alive even when the blades of grass have dried up, as their root system goes dormant until the next watering. However, dried grass will not become young and green again. Lawn owners will have to wait for a new one to grow.

Extra care

There are several situations in which the lawn needs additional care in the form of watering, regardless of the air temperature, namely:

1. After each haircut, you must first remove all the cut grass with a rake, and then carefully water the area. You need to do this in order to give the lawn a fresh and clean look, as well as help plants recover after shearing.
2. After fertilizing the grass with dry substances that are physically unable to be absorbed by the roots without moistening the soil, it is watering that helps the top dressing to be fully absorbed by the root system of plants. When using fertilizers diluted in water, such as urea, additional watering is not necessary.

For irrigation, you can use different water: from springs, wells or directly from the tap, however, it must be borne in mind that it is impossible to moisten the soil with cold water (temperature below 11 degrees), as this may damage the root system. In the cool season, for example, in early spring, when the snow melted after winter, the ground dried up and the grass began to turn green, it is recommended to draw water into a large container, wait until it warms up to desired temperature, and only after that to carry out watering.

If weeds have appeared on the lawn that cannot be destroyed by ordinary grass cutting, you can water the area with selective herbicides. Diluted chemical drug can only be used in dry, calm weather on areas of the lawn where weeds grow. It is necessary to dilute the substance strictly according to the instructions, since a small dosage will not destroy the weed, and a large one can destroy lawn grass.

Lawn care after planting seeds

The most important component proper care behind the lawn after planting seeds is timely watering. If you sow the seeds, and then do not moisten the soil for a week, the grass will die, since the seeds are not deep in the ground, and because of the wind and sun open ground dry up immediately.

Water a freshly planted lawn daily for the first 10 days. In a decade, the grains will germinate, and the root system will be able to feed on moisture, being at a depth of several centimeters.

For people who are unable to water the recently sown seeds so often, you can use the trick, namely, cover the area with a film that can retain moisture for a long time. After the seeds germinate, the film can be removed, and the breathable cover can be left as long as it does not interfere with grass growth.

You can also use compost to cover the area from the sun, but mulch can only be used for grass that has grown to a height of 7 or 8 cm. After sowing, the area cannot be covered with mulch, as the seeds will not have enough sunlight and they will die.

The lawn can also be watered through the covering material, simply by pouring water from above. One part of the liquid will slide down the material, but the other part will saturate the soil. But, for example, spunbond is unsuitable for irrigation. It protects seedlings from cold or heavy rains, so they cover the lawn in late autumn before the onset of winter.

An adult lawn is not as picky in care as a young one, because for the life of the second important criterion is how many times it is watered. After planting, young grass should be moistened at least once a day or two. In extreme heat, the lawn should be watered daily in small portions. As soon as the grass grows up to 7-10 centimeters up, you can start watering the lawn abundantly.

How to water the area?

You can water your lawn in a variety of ways. The choice of equipment directly depends on what the gardener will be more comfortable working with.

Watering supplies are as follows:

1. Garden watering can. The most affordable device with which you can independently water the lawn with any water. The watering can is well suited for care small areas or for processing hard-to-reach places lawn that cannot be reached by a hose or sprayer.
   
2. Garden hose. Easy to use and versatile attachment that can be used with special spray nozzles. With the help of nozzles, you can gently water the area without damaging root system and without erosion of the soil. The hose can also be used for independent form, without a nozzle, for this it is enough to block the jet a little with your finger, achieving a splashing effect. The disadvantages include the fact that the hose needs to be moved across the lawn.
   
3. Perforated hose. A special hose, which has many holes for irrigation over the entire surface. The hose must be placed throughout the entire site and just open the water.
   
4. Sprinkler. A device that converts a powerful hose jet into raindrops. The use of the nozzle does not violate the integrity of the ground cover. It is not recommended to use in windy weather, as light raindrops will be immediately carried away by a powerful air stream.
   
5. Circular sprinkler. The device is installed on the territory of the site, during operation it looks like a fountain.
   
6. Rotating sprinkler. A device similar to a conventional sprinkler, but with the ability to adjust the water jet. The watering distance also depends on the power of the jet. Often used in order not to fill the paths, porch, etc.
   
7. Oscillating or rocking sprinkler. A device designed for watering rectangular or square lawns, as it allows you to adjust the range and intensity of the jet.
   
8. Automatic sprinklers. The devices are used in large areas and are installed before laying or sowing the lawn, as they consist of underground pipes, hoses or sprinklers connected to a water source ( large capacity, pump). There are two types of sprinklers: fixed and recessed. The former are visible on the surface of the lawn, the latter rise only during spraying.
   

For small areas, tools such as a hose, watering can, and sprinklers are suitable, while for large lawns It is better to use automatic sprinklers.

If you water and fertilize the site in a timely manner, it will grow thick and green lawn. A young lawn should be watered every other day, rooted - once a week in a temperate climate. In the heat, the amount of watering should be increased as needed. You can water in the morning and in the evening, but the water should not be cold (below 10 degrees). In autumn, watering can be carried out during the daytime. It is necessary to start watering the lawn with the advent of spring, when the sun begins to bake and there are no traces of snow left.

The right lawn on the site, looking like in a picture from a glossy magazine, emphasizes and complements the overall design of the territory and the buildings themselves, causes undoubted respect for the owner of the house.

How to achieve results so that your lawn looks like in the picture?

I will write a series of articles from my personal experience on the arrangement of the lawn and ... The most important thing I will tell you about lawn care; a haircut, watering, top dressing, aeration, scarification, etc. What, why and why.

Today is exclusively about watering- rules and regulations. We will only touch on automatic watering, since I don’t know with what devices to measure the water poured out of the hose, except to count with buckets and watering cans.

Consider generally accepted rules, they all come to the same norm of 4 - 6 l / m2 per day. Or 4 mm - 6 mm, in terms of precipitation.

For example, let's take the norms from a well-known document SNiP 2.04.02-84 “WATER SUPPLY. OUTDOOR NETWORKS AND STRUCTURES.

In Section 2.3 of this SNiPa there is a table: “Water consumption for irrigation in settlements and territories industrial enterprises should be taken depending on the coverage of the territory, the method of watering it, the type of plantings, climatic and other local conditions according to Table 3.

Let's look at it carefully:

Table 3

Purpose of water	Meter	Water consumption for irrigation, l/m
Mechanized washing of improved pavements of driveways and squares	1 sink	1,2-1,5
Mechanized watering of improved pavements of driveways and squares	1 watering	0,3-0,4
Watering manually (from hoses) improved pavements and driveways	Same	0,4-0,5
Watering urban green spaces	"	3-4
Watering lawns and flower beds	"	4-6
Watering plantings in the ground winter greenhouses	1 day	15
Watering plantings in shelving winter and soil spring greenhouses, greenhouses of all types, insulated soil	Same	6
Watering landings on household plots: vegetable crops	"	3-15
fruit trees	"	10-15

Notes:

1. In the absence of data on areas by types of improvement (green spaces, driveways, etc.), the specific average daily water consumption for irrigation per capita should be taken as 50-90 l / day, depending on climatic conditions, the power of the water supply source , degree of improvement settlements and other local conditions.
2. The number of waterings should be taken 1-2 per day, depending on climatic conditions.

Here we see water consumption rates for different plants and lawn, including.

Item: "Irrigation of lawns and flower beds --- 4-6"

At the bottom of the note, paragraph 2 indicates that watering should be 1 - 2 times a day.

From this we conclude that the lawn wants to receive 5 l / m2 or 5 mm of precipitation per day, and 35 l / m2 or 35 mm of precipitation per week. Why a week, a little later I will explain.

All automatic irrigation equipment makes it easy to calculate precipitation rates, there will be no difficulties with this. For each sprinkler, nozzle, nozzle, there is water consumption rates and rainfall norms. The rate of precipitation, in tables, is usually indicated in mm / h. For example mp rotator Hunter MP-1000, at a pressure of 2.8 bar, a sector of 90-180-210-270-360 degrees and a radius of 4.1 meters, produces a square of 11 mm / hour according to the scheme, and 13 mm / hour according to the triangle scheme. From these data we make a calculation and get that the zone equipped with MP1000 should work for 25 - 30 minutes.

Reliable equipment manufacturers automatic watering, such as Hunter, Rain Bird, Irritrol, Toro, must indicate characteristics for water consumption and precipitation rates.

Now let's get to the main point.

Common watering rules used by almost all landscapers and gardeners, we dismantled.

The rule is 5 liters per square meter per day.

And how true is this statement? To what depth is the soil moistened with such irrigation? We water often and little by little. 5 mm of precipitation will wet the soil by 8-10 cm no more, and then, if it is light, on heavy soils 5 centimeters.

Only thanks to such universally recognized watering, the roots of lawn grasses are not more than 10 cm, the very layer that we call sod. But ... The roots of grasses, especially on light soil, grow even more than 30 centimeters, even bluegrass can grow the root system up to 60 cm.

I noticed the growth of roots quite by accident. Once upon a time sowed blue fescue, varieties (Festuca glauca Elijah Blue), for interest. It rose well, part of it landed in liter pots, and a few bushes ended up in 15 liter containers (accidentally). After a short time, I decided to plant it in the ground, I couldn’t just take and pull the fescue out of the container, the roots filled it completely - the depth was 40 centimeters.

I made an instant conclusion, the size of the grass roots on the lawn, we set artificially, thanks to frequent and not deep watering.

Since then, many experiments have been carried out on the topic lawn watering.

I water now once a week, but deeply, a full weekly rate is issued with a margin. Empirically established (I arranged the jars and drilled samples) that in my area 30 mm of precipitation penetrates to a depth of 30 cm.

Zones with an MP rotator run an average of three and a half hours, but once a week. The roots of my grass are 30 to 50 cm in size.

After abundant watering, the topsoil dries up, and the roots rush down for moisture. And the water itself in hot weather rises up through the capillaries. The growth rate at the roots of lawn grasses is good, up to 1 cm per day. The grass no longer suffers, but gives the result that the breeders intended.

rain sensor on summer period June - August, off. It may work in light rain and the system will not start. In summer, the probability of precipitation of 30 mm is practically zero, there will be no overflow.

In the hottest periods, I also add a daily spray, turning on for one minute. This idea cools the soil surface well, the lawn does not suffer from overheating. The effect of the so-called lens, never noticed.

The norms and rules given here cannot apply to all lawns absolutely. You can achieve the desired result only by sampling, all the same half-liter jars and holes or drilling.

Heavy, especially clay soils, are not suitable for a high-quality lawn, it is very difficult for the roots to penetrate to the depth.

Spare no effort and money to prepare the soil for the lawn, green grass throughout summer season you will only be happy. On clay, neither fertilizer nor watering will save much (aeration and sanding will partially save). The same applies to carbonate chernozems, which, when dried, turn into black concrete.

Try to water not according to the rules of landscape designers. Experiment.

Good luck with your lawn!