NJ Lawns Community

New to lawn care and confused about watering schedules. I keep getting different advice - some say water every day, others say once a week deep watering. I'm in Bergen County NJ and we get pretty hot humid summers. My lawn is a mix of cool-season grasses (I think - previous owner said Kentucky Bluegrass). What's the right approach?

Great question! The 'once a week deep watering' advice is generally better than daily shallow watering. Here's why: deep, infrequent watering encourages grass roots to grow deeper into the soil, making them more drought-resistant. Daily watering keeps roots shallow. For NJ cool-season grass in summer: - Water 1-1.5 inches per week total (including rain) - Split into 2-3 watering sessions - Water early morning (5-8 AM) to reduce evaporation - Avoid evening watering - wet grass overnight promotes disease Pro tip: Get a rain gauge and a cheap soil moisture meter. Water when the top 4-6 inches of soil are dry. And remember - in July/August, it's NORMAL for cool-season grass to go slightly dormant and turn a bit brown. Don't panic!

Adding to Ivan's advice - one inch per week is the general rule, but it depends on your soil type. Sandy soil drains fast and may need more frequent watering. Clay soil holds water longer. Also, get a smart controller for your sprinkler system if you don't have one. They adjust based on weather and evapotranspiration. I use Hunter Hydrawise and it's been a game-changer - my water bill dropped 30% while my lawn looks better than ever.