Did you know you can do more harm than good by watering your lawn several times a week for a short period of time? Small bursts of water won’t penetrate the ground deep enough, causing the roots to adapt and remain closer to the surface to obtain moisture. But with this hack, you can use an empty tuna can to perfectly time your watering sessions. Empty tuna cans are ideal because they’re just the right weight that won’t easily blow away, and are the perfect depth for eyeballing 1 inch or so of water. You can also use cat food cans or other similar-sized products.
The fact is, either underwatering or overwatering is one of the most common mistakes homeowners make with their lawns. After all, not all of us can lay claim to having a green thumb. And it’s even more critical to make sure our grass and plants are getting enough moisture during the warm summer months. However, while it’s not necessary to water your lawn every day, it is necessary to make sure you water it long enough to properly soak the ground. But how long is that? Although it’s not rocket science, it’s also not a one-size-fits-all answer. So if you’re interested in how to use an empty tuna can to adequately water your lawn, you’re about to find out!
How to time your watering using an empty tuna can
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It’s estimated you should run your sprinklers about once a week and provide your lawn with 1 to 1.5 inches of water. During the summer, when it’s particularly hot and dry, you may need to do this twice a week. The most important thing is to water it with enough volume. As it turns out, a few strategically placed empty tuna cans work wonders in helping determine the perfect amount of time to do so. Simply take four to six empty cans and spread them out onto the lawn, placing each near a sprinkler head.
If you’re using a garden hose, just space out a few of the tuna cans where they will likely catch a decent amount of the water as you go. Check the time before you start watering, and keep a close eye on the tuna cans. When about 1 inch of water accumulates, stop and check the time again. This is how long you should be watering the lawn each time every week to ensure the ground gets a good soaking. It will typically be somewhere between 15 and 30 minutes.
Additional tips for watering
There are a few other things to keep in mind when watering your lawn. For one thing, you never want to water during the hottest part of the day. Otherwise, the water will simply evaporate before it soaks in. The best time to water is going to be in the early morning. Alternatively, you can water in the evening when the temperature drops. However, to avoid the risk of promoting fungal growth, refrain from doing so too late at night.
Keep in mind that the ideal 1 to 1.5 inches of water each week includes rainfall. Therefore, if you get a lot of rain, be sure to adjust the time you water accordingly. It is definitely possible to over water, so pay close attention to the amount it’s getting from all sources. Additionally, if you have a lot of clay in your dirt, water for five minutes at a time, then wait 10 minutes in between. This will allow the water to soak thoroughly into the ground.
