Lawns in the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach area of Florida should receive water about twice a week (1 to 1.5 inches total, including rainfall) during the warmer months of the year and less frequently in late fall and winter.
A well-watered lawn in the Crestview-Fort Worth Beach-Destin area is dense, lush and deep green. That’s why it’s important to water your lawn, especially during the hot summer months.
Factors affecting irrigation frequency
Several factors influence how often your lawn needs water, including the type of grass, the type of soil in your yard, and the season.
Type of soil
The type of soil in your lawn determines how often you should water it. Each region in Florida has different soil types, and the Crestview-Fort Worth Beach-Destin area has mostly sandy soil, except for Crestview, which is further inland.
Sandy soils drain quickly and do not retain water very well, so your lawn may need more frequent watering to capture all the moisture it needs. As a result, water your lawn three times a week with about ⅓ inch of water per session.
Season
Our rainy season in the Panhandle is generally April to OctoberDuring this period, schedule watering based on rainfall. If it rains moderately or heavily, there is no need to water for at least a couple of days afterwards.
We often see irrigation systems running during rain storms or shortly after. This is because people often program their systems to run on a set schedule and then forget about them. Don’t do this. Too much water can be harmful to grass. Grass needs water, but it also needs to dry out. During such dry periods, grass roots spread out in search of moisture and grow stronger.
In our coldest season, which lasts from November to AprilYou just need to water your lawn Once a week.
Type of grass
The type of grass you grow also affects how often you water it. Each type of grass has its own needs and preferences, and knowing them is key to having a healthy lawn.
Warm season grasses They are the best choice in Fort Walton Beach, Destin, and Crestview (in fact, much of the Southeast) because they can withstand the heat of the sun and high temperatures. The most common grasses you’ll see here are:
- Bahia grass:A drought tolerant, low maintenance herb.
- Centipede grass:A discreet, low-maintenance apple green lawn.
- St. Augustine Herb:It thrives in both sun and shade.
- Zoisy grass:Robust, low maintenance and drought tolerant.
- Bermuda grass:It loves full sun and tolerates heavy foot traffic.
Use the following chart as a guide to determine how many inches of water per week your plant needs each season:
| Type of grass | Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
| Bahia grass | 1 – 1.5 | 1.5 – 2 | 1 – 1.5 | 0.5 – 1 |
| Centipede grass | 0.5 – 1 | 1 – 1.5 | 0.5 – 1 | 0.5 – 1 |
| St. Augustine Herb | 1 – 1.5 | 1.5 – 2 | 1 – 1.5 | latent |
| Zoysia grass | 0.5 – 1 | 1 – 1.5 | 0.5 – 1 | 0.5 – 1 |
| Bermuda grass | 1 – 1.5 | 1.5 – 2 | 1 – 1.5 | latent |
Tips for watering the lawn
Here are some tips for watering your lawn to ensure it grows green and thick:
Water deeply and less frequently
As mentioned above, grass roots dig deep into the soil to seek water and nutrients to protect them during periods of drought. Therefore, avoid shallow and frequent watering, as this causes the grass to develop weaker roots and be more susceptible to drought and disease.
Please be aware of Florida water restrictions
To conserve water in the event of a drought, the Sunshine State has implemented five Water Management Districts. The Northwest Florida Water Management District prohibits irrigation between 10 am and 4 pm. but otherwise do not restrict watering. However, check with them periodically to see if any changes occur.
Water Early in the Morning
The best time to water the lawn is between 4 am and 8 amespecially in the summer. The temperature is cooler and the sun hasn’t been out for a long time, so the soil will have plenty of time to absorb the water. Watering during the hottest part of the day will cause much of the water to evaporate before reaching the grass roots.
Also, don’t water at night, as water will remain on the grass blades, making the grass more susceptible to fungus and disease. Avoid watering on windy days, as the wind can carry away water droplets.
Install an irrigation system
An irrigation system will save you valuable time and can be programmed to turn on first thing in the morning. It distributes water evenly, so you won’t have to worry about puddles forming.
Set your irrigation system to run once a week in winter. Warm-season grasses go dormant during this period and overwatering makes them vulnerable to pests and fungal diseases.
How to make your irrigation system smarter
We know you are busy and don’t always have time to set up your sprinklers the next morning. In this case, make your irrigation system more efficient:
- Upgrade to high efficiency nozzles: Instead of producing a large amount of mist, high-efficiency nozzles spray larger, heavier water droplets at a rate slow enough to allow the ground to absorb them.
- Install a rain shut-off device: Rain sensors prevent your irrigation system from turning on when it rains, reducing your water bills and preventing overwatering.
- Use soil moisture sensors: They measure the amount of moisture in the soil, ensuring that your irrigation system does not overwater your lawn.
Adjusting the watering duration
Knowing how long to water your lawn is critical to maintaining its health, as it will ensure that it has enough moisture to keep it satisfied until the next time you water it.
The can test
The tuna can test involves placing several tuna cans or coffee cups on your lawn and seeing how long it takes for the irrigation system to fill them. This way, you won’t have to guess how long you should water your lawn. To perform this test:
- Place a few empty tuna cans or coffee cups evenly distributed on the lawn.
- Turn on the sprinklers and let them run until the cans are full.
- Set a timer or use your smartphone’s timer while the sprinklers are running.
- Once the containers are full, stop the timer. This is how long you need to water the lawn.
Aerate and de-grass your lawn
Compacted soil prevents water from penetrating the soil, causing runoff and requiring more frequent watering to compensate. When you aerate your lawn, you create holes in the soil, providing a passageway for water to reach the roots and saving water.
Similarly, a thick layer of thatch acts as a barrier between water and the soil. By removing the sod, the thatch is removed and water can soak into the soil. This is particularly important if you have a lawn that is more prone to thatch, such as St. Augustine grass and Bermuda grass.
If you want to know what other lawn care tasks you should perform, check out our Crestview-Fort Walton Beach lawn care tips.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much rain does Florida get annually?
On average, Florida receives 52 inches of rain per year.
How do I know if my lawn needs water?
Look for the following signs that your lawn needs water:
- Footprints or tire marks remain in the grass long after they have been made.
- Brown or yellow spots on your lawn.
- Blue-grey leaves.
- Bent blades of grass.
- Your grass is growing slower than normal.
Could I collect rainwater to use for watering my lawn?
Yes, and Florida does not place any restrictions on rainwater collection. You can use a barrel or cistern to collect rainwater from your roof or gutters.
Hiring a professional
Watering your lawn can be a hassle, but it’s essential to achieving a lawn that’s the envy of the neighborhood. That being said, we understand that you’d rather be at the beach than watering your lawn, so contact the professionals at LawnStarter and have them water it for you.
Main image credit: aboutmomentsimages / Adobe Stock Free / License
Stuart Kushner
Stuart Kushner is a writer and aspiring product designer living in New York City. When he’s not doing either, Stuart enjoys listening to heavy metal music, working out, and trying new foods and drinks.
