The Ultimate Watering Guide for Summer Lawns

What’s the Best Time to Water Lawn in Hot Weather?

Summer in Australia brings glorious sunny days, but it can also bring trouble for our beloved lawns. Between scorching heat, dry weather, and water restrictions, keeping your lawn healthy during the summer months is no easy task. But don’t worry—we’re here to help you work smarter, not harder in this scorching weather.

With this complete guide to lawn watering, you’ll learn the best tips and tricks to keep your lawn thriving in the heat while minimising water waste.

Watering Your Lawn in Hot Weather

Timing is everything when it comes to watering your lawn in hot weather. What time you water can mean the difference between a healthy lawn and one riddled with dry patches or fungal problems.

The best time to water your lawn is early morning, ideally before 9am. Cooler temperatures and lower winds mean less evaporation, giving the water time to soak into the soil and reach deep into your lawn’s root system.

Watering at night might sound convenient, but it can leave your lawn wet for extended periods, increasing the risk of fungal diseases like leaf wetness and mould. If night watering is unavoidable due to local water restrictions, aim to water early in the evening to minimise problems.

How Much Water Does Your Lawn Actually Need?

Too much water? Not enough? Here’s how to find that sweet spot for watering your lawn.

Signs that your lawn needs a drink

In hot weather, its important to look out for wilting, curling blades of grass, or footprints that linger longer than usual. If your lawn’s looking dull and thirsty, it’s time to water.

The magic number for watering a healthy lawn

Most lawns need about 20-25mm of water per week, depending on your soil and grass type. Soils that are sandy tend to drain quicker and need watering more often. While clay soils retain moisture and need less frequent watering.

A simple trick to measure 20-25mm of water is to place a few empty tuna cans or shallow containers around your lawn before watering. Run your sprinkler and measure the time it takes to fill the cans to 20-25mm. This gives you a clear idea of how long to water each time.

Deep watering

Water deeply, not frequently. It encourages deep root growth, making your lawn more resilient to heat stress. Shallow, frequent watering leads to a shallow root system that suffers quickly in the heat.

The Best Methods for Watering Your Lawn

It’s not just when or how much you water—how you water matters too.

Sprinkler system

Perfect for larger lawns. Choose an adjustable sprinkler to control water flow and avoid wastage. There are 4 main types of sprinklers to consider:

• Oscillating sprinklers
  Great for medium-sized rectangular lawns. They deliver gentle, even coverage, but can be affected by wind.
• Impact sprinklers
• Durable and ideal for large lawns or gardens. They provide strong water distribution but can be noisy.
• Soaker hoses
  Perfect for small lawns or targeted watering, as they release water directly into the soil, minimising evaporation.
• Rotary sprinklers
  Best for larger areas. They rotate in a circular motion, covering large lawns with powerful streams of water.

Manual watering

For small lawns or trouble spots, grab a hose with a spray nozzle for targeted watering.

Soaker hoses

These gently release water directly into the soil—great for deep watering with minimal waste.

Smart irrigation system

In summer, every drop counts. An irrigation system can help you water your lawn smarter.

A drip irrigation system delivers water directly to the soil and roots, reducing evaporation and runoff. Drip irrigation is ideal for smaller lawns, garden beds, or specific areas that need targeted watering.

To level up your watering system even more, you can upgrade to a smart irrigation system that adjusts watering schedules based on weather forecasts, soil moisture, and evaporation rates. These systems save water and prevent overwatering.

Greywater and Rainwater Solutions

Water restrictions? No worries! There are still ways to keep your dry lawn happy.

Greywater systems

Greywater is water recycled from baths, showers, or washing machines. To use it safely, opt for biodegradable, phosphate-free detergents that are lawn-friendly. Avoid using greywater with bleach or harsh chemicals, as these can damage your lawn and soil. Install a greywater diversion system to direct water straight to your lawn without manual effort.

Best uses for greywater

Apply greywater directly to the soil rather than on the grass blades to minimise risks. Use it for deep watering instead of light surface watering.

Rainwater harvesting

Install a rainwater tank to collect and store rainwater for use during dry weeks. Rainwater is naturally free of chemicals, making it perfect for lawns and gardens. Use a pump or gravity-fed system to distribute the water efficiently.

Make sure to regularly check and maintain your greywater or rainwater systems to ensure clean, consistent water flow and prevent clogging or contamination.

Maximise Water Efficiency with These Water-Saving Practices

A few tweaks to your lawn care routine can make a world of difference when it comes to saving water.

Use soil moisture sensors

These devices measure the moisture levels in your soil, helping you water only when necessary. This prevents overwatering and ensures your lawn gets the right amount of hydration.

Monitor rainfall

Similarly, you can use a rain gauge or weather app to track rainfall. If Mother Nature’s already done the job, you can skip giving your lawn more water.

Mulch with organic materials

Leaving grass clippings on the lawn also helps retain moisture and protect the soil. As well as mulching with grass clippings, straw or fine bark can protect the soil surface. Mulching will reduce evaporation and retain moisture where it’s needed most.

Aerate regularly

Aerating helps your lawn stay healthy by reducing soil compaction and letting water get deeper into the soil.

Choose drought-tolerant grasses

If you’re planning to re-turf, consider a warm season grass like Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo grass, TifTuf Bermuda grass or Sir Grange Zoysia grass. They’re water-efficient and specially selected for their suitability in Aussie summer.

How Wetting Agents Can Save the Day

If your lawn’s soil becomes hydrophobic (basically water-repelling), water will just run off instead of soaking in. That’s where wetting agents come in. Wetting agents break down water resistance, helping it absorb evenly into the soil.

Use a wetting agent early in summer to maximise water efficiency, especially in sandy soils. Wetting agents are best applied after aerating your lawn. Water the lawn lightly before application to help the product seep in, then follow with a thorough deep watering to activate the agent and help it penetrate the soil.

For smaller lawns, we recommend Lawn Lovers Lawn Soaker. However, for larger areas, HydroForce Extend goes the distance.

Lawn Watering Mistakes to Avoid

We all make mistakes, even when we’re trying our best. However, here are some common watering habits that might be causing more damage than good.

Overwatering

Too much water can suffocate roots and lead to fungal problems like Brown Patch or Dollar Spot. These diseases thrive in damp, warm conditions and leave unsightly brown patches on your lawn.

Watering at night

Watering late at night can encourage mould and fungal diseases, such as Powdery Mildew and Leaf Spot, which spread quickly when grass stays wet for long periods.

Midday watering

Water evaporates too quickly during the heat of the day—you’re wasting water, and your lawn isn’t benefiting.

Shallow watering

Giving your lawn a light sprinkle doesn’t do much good. It encourages shallow roots, making your lawn weaker and less resilient in hot weather.

Ignoring water restrictions

Keep an eye on local rules—they’re there to help everyone conserve water. Plus, adhering to restrictions ensures you’re not overwatering without realising it.

Watering Your Lawn FAQs

Q: Should I water my lawn every day?

No, daily watering encourages shallow roots. Instead, water deeply 1-2 times per week to help your lawn develop a stronger root system.

Q: How long should I water for?

Aim to soak about 20-25mm into the soil. For most sprinkler systems, that’s around 20-30 minutes.

Q: Is it okay to water at night?

Not ideal, but if you must, do it early evening to reduce the risk of fungal growth.

Q: What should I do if water is running off the lawn?

Take breaks while watering to let the soil absorb the water. Aerating compacted areas can also help.

Summer lawn care doesn’t have to be a hassle. By watering wisely and making a few small adjustments, you can keep your lawn lush, green, and healthy without guzzling water. Check out our blog for more information about water restrictions and your lawn.