Knowing when to start watering for the year can be confusing. Here’s what you need to know.

It’s easy to get excited about warmer Spring weather - we don’t blame you! Here in the Mountain West, we start dreaming of barbecues and yard parties as soon as the snow melts off the lawn. But before you turn on the sprinklers, you’ll need to make sure your lawn actually needs the moisture. Here are a few things to consider before you start watering your lawn each year:

Keep an eye on the thermometer

Generally, your lawn does not need to be watered until the weather forecast shows a daily high temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit or more. When temperatures are cooler than that, you will often notice dew on the lawn in the morning, which is all the moisture the lawn needs until temperatures warm up. For some regions in the U.S., this means waiting until April or May to turn on your sprinkler system - long after the snow has melted! Be patient, and trust that mother nature has you covered until the daily high temperature rises above 70 degrees. 

Fertilizers and watering

When daily high temperatures are under 70 degrees, you may apply most lawn fertilizers, pre-emergents, weed control, and LawnSaver without turning on your sprinklers. Be sure to read watering instructions for each product you apply to your lawn.