Lawn Watering Tips for Atlanta, GA
Atlanta, the largest metropolitan region in The Peach State, is known for many culturally significant achievements! A unique hub for professional sports, distinct music styles, and the birthplace of Coca-Cola, there is much to enjoy about Atlanta. Georgia weather is also unique compared to other metropolitan areas in the U.S. It is common for the annual weather patterns and temperatures to vary month by month across Georgia, as the state is located in a climate transition zone. The changes seen throughout the distinct seasons are actually beneficial for establishing and maintaining a beautiful, green lawn!
If you don’t know where to start when it comes to growing a healthy and lush greenspace, follow our guide to learn the best lawn care tips in ATL. For more localized watering tips, visit our growing list of regional best practices to discover how to achieve the healthiest, greenest lawn of your dreams anywhere in the US.
List of Tips
The main factors to keep in mind when determining the ideal lawn care routine remain the same across the U.S. - regardless of climate. However, the best practices for dealing with your specific climate, grass and soil types, time of day to water, and local watering restrictions (if applicable), are different from city to city. It may seem daunting, especially when first establishing grass, but this guide will give you the knowledge and confidence to grow your dream lawn!
Smart irrigation systems on the market, like Irrigreen, are sported with features that bring ease to the lawn care process with the added benefit of reducing excess water usage. Weather monitoring, precision watering patterns, and soil moisture calculation brings ease to watering and can even lower your monthly water bill.
Best Time of Day to Water Grass in Atlanta
Knowing the best time of day to water is the first place to start when creating a lawn care plan. In Atlanta, temperatures climb quickly after the sun rises, making the days sunny and muggy, especially in the summer months. Most guides will tell you that watering between 5am and 9am is the optimal time of day to run your sprinkler system. Restrictions in Georgia limit when you can water your lawn, so it is best to stay compliant and water before 10am. Throughout the rest of the day, your grass will be able to fully absorb the water and nutrients from the soil.
Worst Time of Day to Water Grass in Atlanta
For the most efficient watering schedule, avoid watering during the sunniest, hottest time of day – typically 1pm to 3pm. Under direct sunlight, rapid evaporation can occur, preventing proper absorption of water and requiring an increase of water usage. Watering after the sun goes down may prevent evaporation, but soil needs some time to dry. Atlanta summers can be muggy and has thick, clay soil. These 2 factors contribute to locking in moisture underground for longer. Watering at night will oversaturate the soil causing weeds and fungal diseases.
How Long to Water a Lawn in Atlanta
The amount of water needed for your lawn varies based on grass type and soil, which we will further detail in the next sections. The best practice for watering is through the cycle-and-soak method. This method breaks up the amount of water needed for the week - typically 1” to 1.25” including rainfall - into shorter segments, allowing the soil to soak up the moisture and preventing runoff. These segments should occur 2-3 times per week. The grass roots will also grow deeper and stronger with steady watering through the cycle-and-soak method!
Smart irrigation controllers with weather monitoring software can calculate how much rain is expected throughout the week and will compensate for the remaining amount of water needed from your sprinklers. You can set your smart system to water the necessary amount across the week, following the cycle-and-soak method, with ease.
Regularly check with the City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management’s website for the most up-to-date information regarding watering restrictions and water use schedules.
Best Grass Types for Atlanta
The climate in Atlanta creates an environment for warm season grass types to thrive year-round. Even in the cooler months, warm-season grasses down South can remain healthy when dormant. The two most popular types of grass for this region are Zoysia and Bermudagrass.
Zoysia grass is a warm season grass type that is able to withstand hot southern summers! This lush, bright green grass does it all. Tolerant through potential droughts, Zoysia grass needs only 1” of water per week. When the seasons start to change, your Zoysia lawn will see periods of dormancy but will remain alive through mild winters and shade. This grass grows slower than other types and blades should stay around 2 inches in height. It can take between 2-3 weeks to germinate in the spring. This is a great choice for a low maintenance yard once established!
The other popular grass type for Atlanta yards is bermudagrass. Possibly the most common grass type in the southern U.S., this grass seed is trendy for a reason. Able to withstand heavy foot traffic, bermudagrass is the best choice for outdoor recreation, chasing around the kids, or the dog all day! On average, bermudagrass needs 1.25” water per week. This grass tends to grow quickly, so mowing once per week in the summer is recommended. Going with bermudagrass is a great way to invest into a gorgeous outdoor greenspace.
Water According to Your Soil Type
Across the state of Georgia, there are distinct regions with different types of naturally occurring soil. In the Appalachian region in northern Georgia, you will find thin soil full of sediment and a rocky texture. The southern half of Georgia is characterized as the Coastal Plain region, home of sandy and well drained soil types. But in the Piedmont region, where Atlanta sits, expect to work with a mature reddish-brown clay soil, called the Cecil series.
Due to its high clay content, the soil in Atlanta retains moisture well and is generally nutrient-rich, but drains poorly so muddy puddles are a risk factor from overwatering. It is generally recommended to deep water at a slow application rate. It is also recommended to use a probe to check that the moisture content is 6” deep. Precision sprinklers carefully distribute water across your lawn with a heavy stream, ensuring the water depth recommendations for clay soils. Aeration can help improve drainage and prevent hardness due to compaction.
Lawn Care Season in Atlanta: Year-Round Watering and Maintenance Tips
Known for muggy summers and cool, wet winters, dealing with the climate across Georgia means adjusting your lawn care routine throughout the year. The amount of water your lawn needs in the peak of summer will be different than during the winter, so be sure to make slight changes to your watering and mowing habits as the seasons change.
Beginning in March, expect to get the fertilizer, aerator, and mower out from storage! Aerating your lawn loosens the soil and allows more room for oxygen to circulate through the soil. Mid-March is the best time for annual aeration of clay soils. As the spring continues to warm up Georgia, an increase in rainfall is expected, so continue to water as-needed. Dormant grass begins to turn green again in late April - early May, which is the right time to dethatch a layer of built up leaves, dead grass, or debris. With regularly mowing and supplemental watering throughout the spring, your lawn is given a few months of growing before beating the heat. Finally, your Zoysia or Bermudagrass will be ready for fertilizer in mid-May through August.
We’ve covered the standard watering practices for summertime in Atlanta, but remember the average amount of water needed in peak lawn care season is between 1-1.25” split up into 2-3 watering events a week. Keep your grass mowed at the recommended height of 2”.
Fall is the best time to prepare a healthy yard before going dormant in the winter months. During September - November, raking leaves not only keeps the lawn clean, it prevents the organic debris from trapping too much moisture in the soil that can cause harmful fungal disease. You will still want to water your grass, reducing the frequency to once per week accounting for rainfall. Lastly, winterize your sprinkler system if you will face freezing or below-freezing temperatures in the winter to prevent damage to pipes, valves, and other irrigation hardware.
Conclusion
Knowing how much to water, when to water, and the seasonality of lawn chores are dependent on local climate, grass type, and soil characteristics. Our tips and overview of lawn care in Atlanta will help you maintain a green and healthy outdoor space all year long! You can step-up your watering game with smart systems like Irrigreen with digital water spray patterns and weather monitoring software, all controlled from the ease of your smartphone.
