Lawns need moisture 12 months of the year, but that requirement is significantly less during cooler winter months since the rate of evaporation is far less. Many popular lawn grasses enter a dormant phase in the winter to wait for warmer temperatures in the spring. However, using a sprinkler system correctly in the winter will help ensure the lawn has a healthy return in the spring.

In the South Florida climate, an automated irrigation system is almost a necessity to avoid overwatering or underwatering. The systems can be adjusted to accommodate highly sensitive seasonal needs. Homeowners that don’t know how to set their irrigation system should definitely engage the services of a landscaping professional.

Water Requirements

Lawns will typically require 1 inch of water during the winter. Beginning in Sept., experts from the University of Florida recommend that lawns be watered twice a week for 48 minutes and reduce that time to 43 minutes in Oct.; 32 minutes in Nov.; 16 minutes in Dec.; 12 minutes in Jan.; and 17 minutes in March.

Overwatering

When a lawn is overwatered, homeowners are essentially drowning the roots of their grass. The roots are unable to breathe and the part of the root system that survives is shallow, which opens the door to predation by insects and diseases. Overwatering also supports the proliferation of weeds, which adds an additional level of stress to shallow root systems.

Lawns that are overwatered aren’t able to absorb the nutrients they need through the roots. The result is grass that’s unhealthy and lacks the desirable rich, green color. It will also lead to extra work during the upcoming spring and summer months to rectify the damage done.

Underwatering

Even though the grass isn’t actively growing during the winter months, it still requires a certain amount of maintenance moisture. A lawn that’s underwatered will have grass blades that are brittle, fragile, easily damaged, and the lawn may not return in the spring.

RCH Landscaping is a full-service landscape company based in Boca Raton, Florida. We design, install and maintain Commercial and Residential landscapes all around Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and The Palm Beach areas. Our team of highly skilled landscape technicians has an undisputed track record of creating and maintaining beautiful commercial and residential landscapes all over South Florida.

Contact RCH Landscaping Today for a Free Estimate

561-779-9760

Despite a tropical-leaning climate, many Florida residents discover that their lawns begin to dry out and may even suffer from the dreaded brown out syndrome. For those that want a lush, green lawn but don’t have the time or patience for hand-watering, irrigation is the optimal solution.

Quantity

A lawn requires at least 1 to 1.5 inches of water each week to maintain health, even during the winter months. Daily watering doesn’t supply enough water and it’s time-consuming to do it by hand. Deep watering 2-3 times per week provides the best results, but it should be done as early in the morning as possible for grass to take full advantage of the moisture.

A good rule of thumb is that if a six-inch screwdriver can’t be pushed into the lawn, it’s too dry. Homeowners will need to know how much water they’re placing on the lawn to know how long to water. RCH Landscaping company in Boca Raton are lawn experts with 20 years of experience in keeping Florida lawns in top condition and maintaining a pleasing appearance with convenient and cost-effective irrigation systems.

Frequency

The amount and frequency of watering depends on multiple factors ranging from the soil type and grass species to the presence of trees and bushes. Early indicators of insufficient water include grass blades that fold in an effort to conserve moisture and lawns that have a blueish-green appearance. Footprints that don’t disappear in the grass is another sign that the lawn isn’t adequately hydrated.

Irrigation systems

The high-tech irrigation systems that are now available can be programmed to deliver a specific amount of water, during specified times, and for a set period. Irrigation specialists have the knowledge and expertise for the complicated and complex calculations required to install and set up an automatic watering system.

The advantages of an irrigation system are many. They save owners time, effort and add value to properties. They’re also environmentally friendly since they operate at the optimal time of day and conserve water by only delivering what’s necessary, thereby providing savings on water bills.

RCH Landscaping is a full-service landscape company based in Boca Raton, Florida. We design, install, and maintain Commercial and Residential landscapes all around Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and The Palm Beach areas. Our team of highly skilled landscape technicians have an undisputed track record of creating and maintaining beautiful commercial and residential landscapes all over South Florida.

Contact RCH Landscaping Today for a Free Estimate

561-779-9760