Our EcoCoaches are here to help
Traditional lawns need about an inch of water per week, which is over 30,000 gallons per year for a 1,000 square foot lawn. I've seen more lawns die of overwatering than underwatering. A few simple rules will help you maintain a beautiful yard with minimal watering.
First, wait until it wilts. Grass will not suffer with a little wilting. Most grasses will turn a bit dark or dull when the plant is in water stress. Grass under water stress shows tracks after someone walks across the lawn. Second, apply water in a series of short intervals (e.g., 15 minutes on, 15 minutes off) over night. This will allow water to soak into the earth rather than run off. And water early in the morning (as in 2:00 AM to 5:00 AM). This will minimize loss due to evaporation and wind.