Watering Grass: A Full Guide for Bermuda Lawns

Bermuda grass is a popular warm-season grass known for its drought tolerance and durability. However, proper watering is still crucial for maintaining a healthy, lush lawn. 

This guide, based on recommendations from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, will help you understand the best practices for irrigating your Bermuda grass.

Watering your Bermuda grass correctly can make the difference between a lush, green lawn and a dry, patchy one. New homeowners often struggle with knowing how much and how often to water. This guide will help you navigate these challenges and achieve a beautiful lawn.

Read on to see our Bermuda grass lawn watering tips

Watering your lawn - How much for Bermuda grass?

Relatively? Not much. Bermuda grass is one of the most drought-tolerant turfgrass species available. Its deep root system allows it to survive only on natural rainfall in many cases. However, “surviving” does not mean your lawn will look good. 

Supplemental irrigation above mere “survival level” will significantly improve its appearance and health, especially during dry periods.

Watering Frequency

• Healthy Bermuda grass lawns need about 1 inch of water per week, including rainfall.
• Deep Watering - set your sprinkler system to run for a long time to encourage deep root growth.
• Adjust frequency based on your soil type, slope, and local climate.

Water in the morning

• Water early in the morning to reduce water loss through evaporation.
• Don’t water during the day - you’ll see a lot of wasted water due to evaporation
• Avoid watering in the evening, as wet grass can promote disease development.

When to water more - evapotranspiration

The one-inch-per-week guideline is exactly that: a guideline. During hot summers or periods without rain, you’ll need to run your sprinkler system more.

As Bermuda grass grows, it releases water vapor into the atmosphere through a process called transpiration. This, combined with evaporation from the soil, is known as evapotranspiration (ET). 

To combat this your watering needs to replenish the soil moisture that's lost so the grass roots can absorb more water. Efficient irrigation is a method irrigators use to water the perfect amount for the lawn, and involves understanding and accounting for ET rates.

Note: Grass Seed and new sod require frequent watering. Each of these should come with instructions from the lawn care service which installed them. 

Overwatering - avoid wasted water

Excessive irrigation can lead to shallow root systems, increased disease susceptibility, nutrient leaching, and water waste.

Additionally, many municipalities enact water restrictions to conserve natural resources. Check your local utility district's website for an up-to-date watering schedule.

We’ll go over what to look for next so you can tell if you’re over, or under-watering your Bermuda grass lawn. 

Watering Schedule

There are two main approaches to scheduling irrigation for Bermuda grass. 

1. Visual Inspection Method‍
   1. Look for signs of drought stress, such as
      1. Wilting leaves
      2. A blue-gray color throughout the lawn
   2. When you observe these indicators, irrigate to relieve the stress. After a few weeks, you'll develop a sense of how often your lawn needs watering.‍
2. Evapotranspiration (ET) Method (Advanced)‍
   1. Consult the Texas ET network(http://texaset.tamu.edu) for daily ET rates in your area.
   2. Aim to replace at least 60% of ET with irrigation or natural rainfall during the growing season.

Irrigation Run Times - how long to water

To apply the right amount of water, you need to know your irrigation system's output. Perform an irrigation audit:

1. Hire a licensed irrigator, or
2. Conduct a 'catch-can test'
   1. ‍Place 2-3 empty tuna cans throughout your lawn.
   2. Run your irrigation system for 20 minutes.
   3. Collect the cans and place them on a flat surface.
   4. Place a ruler's bottom edge on the bottom of the can.
   5. Measure the water collected in each container with a ruler.
   6. For better results: average the collection across all cans

How to use your measurements: If you collect 0.33 inches of water in 20 minutes, running your system for 20 minutes three times per week will deliver 1 inch of water weekly.

Seasonal Adjustments

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension advises reducing or turning off irrigation from late fall to early spring when Bermuda grass is dormant. Exceptions include southern Texas where warm-season grasses may not go fully dormant, sandy well-drained soils, and newly laid sod.

Sprinkler System Maintenance

Regular maintenance of your irrigation system ensures efficient water use:

• Check for and repair leaks.
• Clean or replace clogged sprinkler heads.
• Adjust sprinkler heads to avoid watering sidewalks or driveways.
• Consider installing a smart irrigation controller that adjusts watering based on weather conditions.

Top 4 Ways to conserve water

To conserve water while maintaining a healthy Bermuda grass lawn:

1. Mow at the proper height (1-2 inches for most varieties) to reduce water loss.
2. Leave grass clippings on the lawn to retain moisture and return nutrients to the soil.
3. Improve soil health through core aeration and topdressing to enhance water retention.
4. Use mulch in garden beds to reduce evaporation and runoff.

Conclusion 

Proper watering is essential for a thriving Bermuda grass lawn. By understanding your grass's water needs, implementing efficient irrigation practices, and making seasonal adjustments, you can maintain a beautiful lawn while conserving water. Remember that Bermuda grass is naturally drought-tolerant, so err on the side of underwatering rather than overwatering.

With these guidelines, you'll be well on your way to a healthy, water-efficient Bermuda grass lawn. As recommended by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in their "Bermudagrass Lawn Management Calendar," these watering practices will help you maintain a beautiful and resilient Bermuda grass lawn throughout the growing season.

‍