How Often Should you Water Your Lawn?

UNDATED - After our hot dry weather last week - and with not much of a chance for rain this week - it's time to drag the hose out and water your lawn.  But how often should you be watering?

The University of Minnesota Extension Agent Janelle Daberkow says, as a rule of thumb, you should be watering infrequently -- only once or twice a week -- and give the plants and lawn a deep thorough soaking.

Frequent shallow watering causes plants to produce shallow roots and cannot survive heat and dry conditions.  Watering deeply and infrequently causes plants roots to grow deeply into the soil in search of water.  Typical gardens and lawns require about one inch of water per week.  Over watering can also create conditions that invite diseases such as root rot.

Using mulches around plants can also help retain moisture, as well as suppress weeds.