How Often Should You Water Your Lawn in Summer?

If you spent all spring sweating in the yard to get your grass looking like the cover of Southern Living, you’re definitely not alone. There is nothing quite like looking out at your lawn and knowing you have the absolute best curb appeal on the block!

But now that the brutal summer heat has officially settled into the Ark-La-Tex, some of those daily yard habits might actually be doing way more harm than good.

Our friends over at the LSU AgCenter recently popped up on social media with a friendly reality check. They warned that scorching heat, high humidity, and random summer rain showers make caring for Louisiana lawns a whole different ballgame.

Even though our warm-season grasses, like Bermudagrass, Centipedegrass, St. Augustine, and Zoysia, are built to handle the southern heat, well-intentioned homeowners often accidentally sabotage their own progress. If your yard is starting to struggle, LSU Ag says one major culprit is usually to blame: overwatering.

Stop Watering Every Single Day!

It is so easy to assume that because it’s 95°+ outside, your grass needs a drink every single afternoon. However, LSU Ag points out that daily, shallow watering actually cripples your lawn. It keeps root systems short and weak while creating a damp environment where weeds and fungal diseases thrive.

Here is what you should be doing instead:

Aim for Deep and Infrequent: Your lawn only needs about 1 inch of water per week (and yes, that includes natural rainfall!). Instead of turning on the sprinklers every day, split that inch into just two or three deep soakings a week. Warm-season grasses are tough and actually prefer staying a little bit on the dryer side!

Water in the Early Morning: Set those timers for the early morning hours. If you water in the evening, the moisture sits on the blades all night long, which practically invites disease and mold to take over.

If your grass feels spongy when you walk on it, or if you’re suddenly fighting an endless war against dollarweed and sedges, take a step back from the hose! Giving your lawn a little room to breathe might just save your summer yard.