How to water a planted lawn. Correct watering of the lawn. Technique to help

A neat green lawn with lush grass requires regular maintenance, which takes a lot of time and effort. The lawn watering system will help to facilitate this task, which can work according to a given program in automatic mode.

The irrigation system is designed for full-fledged lawn irrigation by sprinkling. Thanks to the sprayers, the soil is moistened evenly, without blurring the upper fertile layer, the roots receive a sufficient amount of moisture, and the grass remains fresh and juicy throughout the season.

The irrigation system includes the following components:

sprinklers that spray water;
a pumping station that ensures a stable pressure in the system;
filters fine cleaning designed to trap foreign particles;
pressure regulators - they are used when installing sprinklers different types to equalize the water pressure;
solenoid valves that turn on and off the water supply to individual groups of sprinklers;
HDPE pipes connecting system elements;
controllers that control the entire system according to a given program.

Sprinklers (sprinklers) are devices that spray water entering through pipes in the form of small drops. When not in operation, they are practically invisible on the surface of the lawn. Sprinklers extend upward when water is applied.

Sprinklers are:

static having a strictly defined direction and angle of spraying;
rotary, with a stream of water rotating due to an internal turbine;
impulse in which the water jet rotates using the built-in ratchet mechanism.

Static sprinklers are installed where a well-defined spray angle is required (usually at the edges of the lawn, along buildings, fences and walkways). Rotary and impulse sprinklers have a certain radius of spraying, they are mounted in the center of the lawn so that there are no areas that are not watered.

Underground garden sprinkler

For uniform irrigation of the entire surface of the lawn, sprinklers with different spray radii are used. They are connected via individual pressure regulators.

The pumping station is installed at a water source - a water supply system, a well or a well. Power and bandwidth pumping station are chosen based on the size of the lawn and the required amount of irrigation. The pumping station must be equipped with a fine filter to avoid the ingress of sand, rust and other small impurities into the system.

With a large area of the site, it is advisable to divide the sprinklers into separate groups, which are switched on in turn. This way you can reduce the required power. pumping equipment and reduce acquisition costs. In this case, the sprinkler groups are switched on using solenoid valves controlled by the controller.

The controller and the control unit are placed in convenient place, connect to electrical network and power the pumping station and solenoid valves from it. The control cables are laid hidden (underground) in a corrugated metal pipe.

As pipelines, plastic HDPE pipes and threaded connecting fittings are used.

They are assembled quickly and without the use of sophisticated equipment, are resistant to low temperatures, and do not rot. The diameter of the pipes is selected based on the required throughput according to the results of the calculation.

When laying pipes at a shallow depth, in a freezing layer of soil, at the end of the branches of the system, drainage wells and drain valves are installed to drain the system and preserve it for winter period... Access to drainage wells should be easy and convenient.

The system can also be connected to near-stem irrigation for trees / shrubs and drip irrigation for flower beds and flower beds. Such irrigation is connected through a reducer that reduces the water pressure. To exclude the operation of the irrigation system in inclement weather, a rain sensor is included in the circuit - it is installed on open place and connect to the controller.

Note! The choice of components and assemblies for the irrigation system is carried out only after the calculation and preparation of the sketch.

Drainage well prices

drainage well

Irrigation system design and sketch

To start designing, you need an accurate site plan with an indication of the size and objects located on it. On the plan, you need to indicate paths, recreation areas, buildings that should not fall into the irrigation area. With combined automatic irrigation, it is necessary to designate large trees, bushes and flower beds, to which root watering is brought.

Drafting a project can be divided into stages.

Step 1. Irrigation zones. If the lawn is divided by paths or a resting area, total area must be split into separate sections. Water jets during irrigation should not cross their (sections) boundaries.

Step 2. Bandwidth and pipe diameter. At this stage, it is necessary to determine the maximum and optimal throughput of all pipeline branches. To begin with, find out the diameter of the supply pipe at the point of connection to the water supply and pumping station. To determine the throughput, you can use table 1.

Table 1. Throughput of HDPE pipes depending on their diameter.

Outer pipe diameter, mm	Water consumption, l / min.	Water consumption m3 / hour
20	15	0,9
25	30	1,8
32	50	3,0
40	80	4,8
50	120	7,2
63	190	11,4

If the lawn is divided into sections, the branching is done according to the collector scheme - this will ensure equal pressure on all branches of the pipeline. The diameter of the main pipe to the collector should be no more than the diameter of the supply pipe, the diameter of the branches - less than the main pipe.

Step 3. Selecting the number of sprinklers. The first step is to determine where to install static sprinklers with limited angles. They are installed in the corners of the lawn and along paths and objects, guiding the spray pattern onto the lawn. It is convenient to mark the irrigation zone on the plan with the help of a compass.

Radial sprinklers, either static or rotating, are then spread over the center of the site. The irrigation zone of each sprinkler is delineated with a compass on the plan. In this case, you can use sprinklers with different irrigation radius.

Step 4. Select sprinklers. According to the sketch, suitable sprinklers are selected, taking into account the radius and angle of irrigation, the diameter of the thread. In this case, an error of 10-15% should be taken into account and sprinklers should be chosen with a margin.

Step 5. Place of installation of EM valves and controllers. For each separately switched irrigation branch it is necessary to install a separate solenoid valve... If possible, they are installed in one place, this ensures ease of maintenance. Controllers are located in a protected place, but at the same time, you should take care of easy access for control and programming.

Mark the position of the EM valves and controllers on the plan.
1. Controller at the entrance to the house.
2. Block of solenoid valves.
3. Pumping station.

Step 6. Layout of pipelines. The lines of pipe laying are marked on the plan, choosing the minimum length and number of turns. Branches are grouped as much as possible. The pipe diameter is matched to the sprinkler thread diameter. Mark the pipes and necessary fittings on the plan.

Step 7. Selecting the capacity of pumping equipment. When installing a pumping station, you need to match its performance with the water consumption for irrigation. Determine the total water consumption of all sprinklers operating simultaneously, take into account possible losses, which can reach 20%, and select a pumping station.

Step 8. Drainage wells. They are installed at the lowest points of the site. One or several branches of the pipeline are brought into the wells. The location of drainage wells should be chosen so that they are not conspicuous, but easy to maintain. In the figure, the position of the wells is indicated in blue.

Step 8. Accessory equipment. Filters are selected according to the parameters of the pipeline and shut-off valves, mark the place of their installation on the plan. They are also planning the installation of rain and soil moisture sensors.

For the convenience of reading the drawing, the irrigation zone can be highlighted in different colors, and also indicate the designation of elements with conventional symbols.

Note! For convenience, along with the plan, a specification is drawn up, in which the quantity and characteristics of the selected elements are entered.

Do-it-yourself lawn watering system installation

For self-assembly irrigation systems require skills in electrical installation and plumbing. In their absence, it is better to consult a specialist. Step-by-step instruction installation and connection of the automatic lawn irrigation system is given below.

Step 1. Marking the lawn. Mark with the help of special ecological paint or chalk filling the location of the pipeline, installation of equipment and drainage wells according to the sketch. If the system is installed prior to laying the lawn, the markings can be made with stakes and twine or signal tape.

Step 2. Prepare trenches for the pipeline. Dig trenches of the required depth according to the markings. For a non-drained system, pipes are laid below the level of freezing of the soil - at a depth of at least 1 m.For a system with the possibility of draining, a depth of 30-40 cm is sufficient, while it is necessary to observe a slope of 1-3 degrees and equip each branch with a drainage well with a depth of at least 1 m, diameter - 0.3-0.4 m.

If the system is installed on an existing lawn, the sod is carefully cut in layers or rolls before excavation and set aside in a separate area. Rolls or sheets must be wetted regularly. The soil from the trenches is taken out layer by layer with a shovel and put aside (on the film) so as not to damage the rest of the lawn surface.

Step 3. Connecting the pipeline. Pipes of the selected diameter are laid out along the dug trenches. With temperature drops linear dimensions HDPE pipes change, so the laying is done without interference with a margin of 5-10% - this must be taken into account when cutting. Connect the pipeline sections using fittings according to the sketch. Carefully lay the pipeline at the bottom of the trench, observing the slope. To fix the pipeline, it is lightly sprinkled with soil at separate points.

Step 4. Equipment of drainage wells. For wells, special containers or a pipe with a diameter of 0.3-0.4 m and a length of 1 m are used. It is dug in vertically, the bottom is covered with crushed stone by 20-40 cm. The pipes are led into the well and closed with a shut-off valve. The top of the well is equipped with a cover.

Step 5. Installation of the manifold assembly and solenoid valves. The branches of the pipeline are connected through the solenoid valves to the manifold unit. The valves are installed near the pumping station in a place convenient for maintenance in protective boxes.

The valves are controlled from the controller, it can be installed both in the box and in a place convenient for control (in the second case, it is necessary to provide for the cable routing from the controller to the protective box with EM valves). The cable is laid in the ground in a protective pipe or corrugated metal sleeve.

Step 6. Connecting the pumping station. Pumping equipment is placed at the point of connection to the water supply or well in a protective box, caisson or inside a building. The connection diagram of the pumping station is shown in the figure.

Pumping stations can be equipped with an automatic control system, it prevents the pump from running in dry running mode and monitors the operating parameters. The automation unit can be placed directly on the pump housing or in a separate control box. When installing an external automation unit, it is convenient to combine it in one box with the controller for controlling the irrigation system.

Step 7. Connecting the irrigation system. The branches of the irrigation system are connected to the solenoid valves mounted on the manifold. The main pipeline is connected to the pumping station and the collector through a fine filter.

Step 8. Checking and test run of the system. Close all valves on drainage wells. The pumping station is turned on and the required pressure is accumulated in the accumulator, after which the valve on the main pipe of the irrigation system is opened.

From the control unit, the solenoid valves are opened alternately on each branch and all connections are checked for tightness. During the test, water flushes the system from foreign particles that got into the pipeline during installation.

Note! During test runs, it is recommended to reduce the pressure from the pumping station to the minimum rated value.

Step 9. Attaching the sprinklers. Sprinklers are connected to the pipeline according to the sketch, while for static sprinklers it is necessary to observe the direction of spraying. Start the system again and check its performance.

Step 10. Backfilling the system with soil and laying the lawn. Carefully fill the pipelines with previously excavated soil, observing the slope of the pipes, ram in layers. The last layer is backfilled fertile soil with the addition of special fertilizers for the lawn. Pre-cut layers of turf are laid in place, watered and pressed. If necessary, sow the lawn grass.

Each owner of a lush green lawn will fight the scorching sun for every blade of grass. We have all seen enthusiasts with hoses and buckets trying to save their site from drought and watering the lawn with their own hands and only on their own. But there is great news - this work can be much easier for yourself with the help of automatic watering of the lawn. What is automatic lawn watering and how to make a do-it-yourself automatic lawn watering system on your site? Let's figure it out!

Rules and requirements for high-quality lawn irrigation

If you want to grow a dense carpet of green grass in your area, then regular watering is the very first rule. Observing certain norms of irrigation of the lawn, namely water consumption, measured in l / m2, water temperature, watering time and frequency, you will achieve the desired result.

Water consumption

Unfortunately, this parameter cannot be voiced as a single rule for all lawns, because the amount of water consumed is influenced by factors that all owners have suburban area with a lawn will be different. These are: type of soil, type lawn grass, lawn shade and weather conditions. Agree, a fairly wide range of parameters. But this does not mean that there is nothing to help you in this matter. On the contrary, the experience of many lawn lawn owners is collected in this article to make your life easier. For example, it is known that heavy soils (clay, loam) are not very willing to let water into the deep soil layer. And light soil (sandy soil) does not retain water at all.

Water consumption depends on the type of soil

The generally accepted rate is 10-20 l / m2. Consuming water in such an amount, you will saturate it 15 cm deep. This indicator is easy enough to check in practice if you water the lawn by hand. Using the automated approach, simply leave the clear jar on your lawn while watering. When 13 mm of water is collected in it, it means that your lawn is watered with 10 liters of water.

By the way, if we talk about the shadow, then everything is not as straightforward as it might seem at first glance. Well it would seem more than open area, the more you need to water. And the more shade, the less moisture you need. But not everything is so simple. After all, if we are talking about the shade from the trees, then do not forget that along with the shade you also get large roots that suck all the water from the soil.

Water temperature

Lawn grass is enough delicate plant, therefore, water lower than + 10 ° will negatively affect its development. It is advised, in order not to damage the leaves and roots, to use water at the same temperature as the air with the soil. If the automatic watering of the lawn occurs from a well or well drilled in the yard, then in this case you will water your lawn undesirable cold water... But this is a solvable task: just get tanks or barrels in which it will be possible to preheat deep water.

Watering time

So that the water nourishes the soil well, and the roots have time to drink enough, it is better to water the lawn in the evening or in the morning. Well, it has long been known that during the day, when the sun is the hottest and most active, watering will not be beneficial, but rather harmful.

Watering frequency

It's simple: in cloudy weather, watering is enough 1-2 p / week; in case of drought - every day. It has been noticed that abundant, albeit less frequent, watering brings more benefits. If you often, but slightly, moisten the lawn, this will only irritate it, but will not bring the desired benefit. You will only get a cracked crust on the surface.

How to water your lawn

Choosing a system for automatic irrigation

As with any field, there are several types of lawn irrigation systems in the landscape equipment industry. After reviewing all the options, you can make your choice.

Nowadays, there are two ways of automatic irrigation of a lawn lawn. It is about sprinkler and drip irrigation.

Sprinkler watering

The sprinkler irrigation method is an irrigation system that is very close to natural irrigation in nature. The familiar name of this method speaks for itself - sprinkling. The sprinkling method consists in the fact that a pipeline system is laid out across the entire lawn lawn. Water is supplied through sprinklers (nozzles) and dissected in the air in small droplets, as in rain. Sprinkler irrigation helps to reduce soil temperature and increase moisture in the air.

Sprinkler watering

The device itself, which supplies water to the lawn, is called a sprinkler and, depending on how it is installed, the sprinkler is divided into retractable and non-retractable.

Retractable Sprinkler

The pop-up sprinkler is invisible when not in use because it is hidden in the ground. But in the process of water supply, retractable sprinklers come to the surface by about 15-20 cm and their spraying range is 4-7 m. In turn, retractable sprinklers are:

Rotary. Such a spray arm consists of a stationary and a rotating part. The rotating sprinkler head has blades that spray water in a circle. Unfortunately, very few people can boast of a crystal clean water not just for watering, but at least for food. Therefore, if you do not install the filter (or do not check it upon purchase), then your system will often become clogged with impurities that are in the water. Rotary sprinklers can be adjustable, in which you can independently set the irrigation radius, and non-adjustable sprinklers describe a clear predetermined circle (360 °).
Fan-shaped. Their design is very simple: a plastic body, a rising stem, a non-rotating nozzle and a retraction spring. Water is sprayed 3-6 m. In some areas with elevation differences or dense tall shrubs, only lawn irrigation equipment with a fan sprinkler can be effective due to its method of supplying water, something similar to a funnel or the shape of an inverted umbrella.

Fixed sprinkler

The non-retractable sprinkler is installed in the ground and does not come out of it when water is supplied. Depending on the principle of operation, non-retractable sprinklers are divided into four main types:

Pulse. Such a sprinkler supplies water in batches and smoothly changes the irrigation range.
Pendulum. This sprinkler is simply a mast have for owners of rectangular areas. At the heart of the pendulum sprinklers is a perforated pipe that swings from side to side, watering the lawn without gaps. Distance of water spraying 6-20 m (can be adjusted by the swing angle of the tube).
Circular. The installation consists of a platform with a rotating head with nozzles. Operating range 3-10 m, regulated by water pressure.
Sprinkler hose. We can say that relative to previous installations, the sprinkler hose is relatively new system autowatering. The design is very simple: a hose (can be put on the base to lift) with fine spray injectors. How many nozzles - such watering will be (thick or sparse).

Drip irrigation

Automatic irrigation device drip type consists in using perforated hoses spread over the lawn. They are connected to a water intake, but in this case the water does not flow under pressure, but in small portions and it flows directly to the roots, which significantly reduces the amount of water supplied, and the plants receive exactly as much moisture as they need. In order not to spoil the neat appearance of the lawn, the pipes are hidden under the ground. The holes through which the water is supplied are not clogged due to the agrofibre layer.

Thanks to modern technologies, You can calculate the water consumption yourself. This is done using a custom controller. You can also set your preferred settings. For example, set the valves so that the automatic irrigation turns on in heat and does not turn on again after rain... Also, with the help of frost sensors, you protect plants from hypothermia.

Video review of underground irrigation drip hose

Design and development of a sketch of a lawn irrigation system

To set up automatic watering for your lawn with your own hands, start with a diagram of your territory. The automatic irrigation scheme should include: the lawn lawn itself, trees, shrubs and those areas that should not be watered.

Automatic irrigation scheme

Having calculated the ability to pass water at the supply pipe (using Table 1), you will be able to choose the right diameter for the entire automatic irrigation system.

Now is the time to decide where the sprinklers will be installed. We wrote above that not all objects on the site need watering, therefore, based on this, and also from the fact that some sprinklers can supply water to 25 m, we install the right number of sprinklers in the right place. Everything can be calculated correctly using a compass on a prepared diagram. When applying sprinklers to the plan, do not forget that the system still has some errors in the radius during operation. Knowing the water flow rate of one sprinkler, you will supply the required number of sprinklers, also based on the pump performance data.

There is one solenoid valve per irrigation section. Make the branching of the pipeline in one place, then it will be easier for you to repair and maintain the valves, since they will all be in one place.

If you plan the laying of pipes incorrectly, then there is a danger of loss of pressure, waste of material and low efficiency of the irrigation process. Try to bend the pipes less often and route them to the sprinklers along the shortest path.

Check everything again. The automatic irrigation pattern is designed to ensure that the sprinklers cover the entire area and that the pump has enough power.

Installation of automatic irrigation for the lawn (video)

Do-it-yourself lawn irrigation system installation

Now it's time to transfer all the work from the paper to the lawn itself. Mark on it a place for pipes, sprinklers, and everything else. Under the marked lines, dig a pipe trench approximately 1m deep. You can lay them for half a meter, but then be sure to create a slope and drainage at the lowest points of the system. This is necessary to painlessly drain the water in winter. Now connect the pipes together and lay them in the prepared trenches. Before covering everything with earth, check for leaks. Screw on the sprinklers, cover with soil, adjust the direction of the sprinklers and enjoy the result of your labor long time!

Irrigation system underground

But since the entire system is hidden underground, it is not always possible to notice problems on time. To prevent this from happening, heed the tips for caring for the autowatering system:

Inspect and clean the nozzles from dirt as often as possible;
Add soil to the places where it subsided (meaning the soil in the area of the sprinkler);
Don't forget to charge the controller battery;
Preserve the system for the winter - drain the water, blow out the valves, hide the sensors in the building;
Watch your filters.

10 tips for watering your lawn.

Watering the lawn

Watering the lawn should be done in the early morning or late evening, but not in hot weather. In hot weather, moisture from the lawn evaporates quickly and this does not bring the desired result, and plus to this, this is an extra water consumption. But do not forget that during the daytime watering the grass can be burned by the sun's rays.

The most important rule: it is better to water once well than many times and little by little.

A lawn that has not been watered for a long time, on the contrary, needs to be watered a little and often. Moisture should gradually saturate the soil.

Cold water from a well or well lawn cereals not very well received. Many of my friends use water to irrigate the lawn from reservoirs: swimming pools or drive ponds.

It is better to water the lawn not with a direct stream, but from sprinklers, and even more so not to flood it. When watering with a direct stream, you wash out all the useful material... And when watering with sprinklers, moisture gradually permeates the soil, while the plants take everything from the soil required amount moisture.

Water a new or sown lawn with sprinklers only, and never with a direct jet. Seeds embedded in the soil will be washed out in a straight stream and remain on its surface.

Watering the lawn under the trees. Water the lawn under the trees abundantly, because the trees absorb moisture abundantly. But even here you should not overdo it, because if the crown is large and the sun's rays do not warm the soil well, your lawn may simply turn sour. As a result, moss will appear on such an area and the grass will not grow well.

The interval between watering should be such that the moisture is completely absorbed and the grass dries.

Evergreens on the lawn also require abundant watering, especially in the fall and spring.

That's all! Until next time!

Streams groundwater do not at all provide normal soil moisture for high-quality growth. Therefore, one cannot do without human participation. Watering is directly related to the metabolism of plants.

Health, attractiveness and strength depend on the frequency of irrigation activities. Manual or - for not so important. The difference is how much money, time and effort you are willing to spend on it. How to water after sowing and which method to choose for this, we will consider in this article.

When to water?

Watering methods

As you know, soil moisture up to 10 cm deep is considered optimal for a lawn. Here come to the rescue different methods irrigation.

Watering the lawn is carried out in three main ways:

basal;
intrasoil;
sprinkling.

Root and subsoil methods are more economical in terms of water consumption. Sprinkling can be performed not only automatically, but also manually.

Refers to automatic systems root watering lawn. For this method, hoses with small holes are used, from which drops of water flow directly onto. The drip system is almost completely hidden from the human eye.

Did you know? Fitness on lawn grass is more beneficial for the body due to its saturation fresh air and less stress on the joints.

Root hydration can be used not only in the morning but also in the daytime. It saves time, water consumption and minimizes human involvement. The main disadvantage of this irrigation method is the laboriousness of the system installation process. But soon all the money and labor costs for the lawn fully pay off.

Sprinkling - imitation of rain for irrigating lawn grass. Small areas of plantations have enough watering by hand from a spray bottle or hose. If the area is too large, it is advisable to install automatic sprinklers.
During sprinkling, not only the soil is moistened, but also the air space around the lawn. Main types:

This irrigation type requires a water source like a faucet or. In addition, you will need sprinklers and. In terms of cost, manual sprinkling is the most affordable of all methods. For automatic watering of the lawn, it is necessary to purchase sprinklers.

They are also divided into types: stationary and portable... Their sprinklers can also be different: simple and flexible. The former irrigate the surrounding soil unevenly, which is completely excluded if the sprinkler is capable of changing its position.
If the system pressure is good, the pulsating type of sprinkler works well, allowing water to be absorbed more slowly into the soil. The more expensive type is retractable. It does not interfere with mowing the lawn, as it hides compactly in the grass. For irrigation, the sprinkler lifts up and works in the same way as other types. In any case, sprinkling is not as expensive a method as drip irrigation.

The subsurface irrigation method is the most economical and expensive of the types. The irrigation system delivers water directly to the root system of the lawn and is suitable for placement on any terrain. But it is necessary to plan its installation and layout in advance.

Did you know? Lawn grass has phytoncidal properties, the ability to fight harmful bacteria.

Watering is carried out by hydrodrills various designs or humidifiers in the form of perforated plastic pipes placed in the soil.
Subsoil irrigation has a number of advantages, such as:

air saturation of the soil;
an obstacle to growth;
lowering the moisture content of the surface air layer;
protection against the development of fungal diseases in lawn grass;
the ability of a person to perform planned activities on the lawn during irrigation.

This irrigation method is mainly used in, and slopes. Intrasoil irrigation is the most costly among all the species presented in terms of monetary, labor and time resources.
Irrigation measures for lawns ensure its attractiveness and normal existence. If you do not have enough free time for this, it is better to install an automatic irrigation system. Besides your time, it saves water resources and provides better soil moisture. But manual irrigation is known to be less expensive. Although sometimes saving is not at all appropriate.

A well-groomed lawn, playing with shades of greenery, is a decoration of any site. It is pleasant to run on it barefoot, lie down, taking a break from summer cottage worries, play with children or a dog. proper care, and how often the lawn is watered depends on both its condition and the mood of others.

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, overflow is contraindicated for her. In order not to develop putrefactive processes, water the lawn at a certain time, taking into account the frequency of natural precipitation and the proximity of groundwater.

Regular moistening of 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 sprinkler method.

Further, before the emergence of shoots, you need 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 seeds, proceed as follows: on sunny days they water it daily, and in cloudy weather they monitor the moisture content of the upper soil layer.

With the emergence of seedlings, it becomes easier to determine the need for watering: the grass that needs 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, 15 cm or more, screwdriver or thin stick. If the tool can easily enter the ground, the watering time has not yet come.

Advice: “For hosts who rarely visit country cottage area, it is advisable to sow drought-resistant lawn grass: ryegrass, reed and filamentous fescue, bent grass ”.

What time of day is it better to water

It is undesirable to water on a hot sunny day: drops of water will produce the effect of multiple 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 the nighttime temperature drop 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: 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:

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

In general, the lawn irrigation regime for 2 years and older is represented 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 late October - once a week.

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

In drought watering is daily, and in cool cloudy weather without precipitation or at temperatures below 15 ° C - 1-2 times a week. Also needs 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 bring harm than benefit: excess moisture not only creates a favorable environment for pathogenic fungi, but also deprives the roots of the stimulus for growth, makes it difficult for oxygen to flow to them.

How much water do you need

The amount of water poured out at a time also depends on several factors: the depth of the groundwater, the moisture content of the soil, and weather conditions. The optimal irrigation rate is considered to be 10–30 l / m 2 at a 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. 15–20 minutes after its completion, check how deeply the moisture has absorbed. Soaking the soil by 10 cm indicates enough water.

Watering methods

There are three main methods: sprinkler irrigation, drip irrigation, subsurface irrigation.

Sprinkling

Sprinkling - watering that simulates rain. The process is manual and automatic (automated).

Manual watering is carried out from a hose ending in a spray, 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 system, a well, a storage tank with a pump), hoses of a suitable length, sprinklers.

Sprinklers 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.

Pulsating sprinklers equipped with rotating nozzles are considered economical. Moisture is supplied in small portions, and in short breaks the sprinkler is rotated at a predetermined angle. Water does not spread over the surface of the lawn, but has time to be absorbed into the soil.

Stationary sprinklers create certain inconveniences when mowing a lawn. WITH 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 costly, since you have to lay pipes for water, install special attachments... 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, if only by the fact that watering can be carried out in the 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 take place without human intervention, that is, it can be fully automatic. To do this, it is enough to set a timer that turns on the water supply at a certain time.

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

Subsoil irrigation

The most expensive way to water the lawn, but it has a long list of advantages: the soil is saturated with oxygen; the near-earth air layer does not experience waterlogging; the risks of fungal diseases are minimized. Irrigation of the soil occurs through perforations in 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 to avoid when watering your lawn

The attractiveness and health of your lawn depends a lot on proper watering. Despite the seeming simplicity of the procedure, often, especially for novice summer residents, problems arise. They are associated with gross violations of watering rules.

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

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

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

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

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

Gaining popularity roll lawns 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 tolerant.

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. It performs another important function: it purifies and heals the air. A properly watered lawn is good for the health of all dacha inhabitants.