To water or not to water?
June 13, 2012 6:24PM
Elgin Public Museum Education Coordinator Sarah Russell moves a sprinkler head Wednesday to another part of the museum's garden. May 30, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media
Updated: July 15, 2012 3:34PM
When it comes to lawns, pick one, experts say.
According to the University of Illinois Extension, homeowners should decide before summer to either water lawns consistently or let lawns go dormant during dry periods.
Allowing grass to turn totally brown, then watering to green it up, and then letting the grass go dormant again drains food reserves from the plant.
In general, the U of I experts say, water as infrequently as possible. They recommend that most lawn grasses get about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week to maintain color and growth. Frequent waterings promote shallower root systems and weeds.
If you do water, do it early in the day when lawns are normally wet from dew, the U of I says.
Midday waterings lose moisture due to evaporation and night watering may increase chances of some diseases.
