With the high heat, how often should you water your lawn?

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Summer heat has an unwavering grip over the Beehive State. And with a lack of moisture, you may be tempted to water your lawn more often in an attempt to keep that nice green look.

But as more than half the state creeps into “severe drought” territory, and every drop of water counts in the Utah desert, how often should you be watering your lawn?

According to the Utah Division of Water Resources, you only need to water your lawn three times a week, no matter where you are in the state. However, those with a yard that doesn’t need as much water, such as those with drought-resistant grass or xeriscaped yards, only need to water once this week.

“Lawn can sustain large amounts of overwatering before negative consequences like diseases, weeds, and insect pests start to become apparent,” the Division of Water Resources warned. “Because of this, it’s typically overwatered. One way to conserve water and maintain plant health is to avoid overwatering.

The Utah Division of Water Resources’ watering guide assumes a resident only uses half an inch of water with each watering event, which typically needs to run from 15 minutes to 75 minutes, depending on what type of sprinkler system you have.

According to IFA, a Utah-based farm and ranch cooperative, it’s best to water early in the morning, just as the sun is rising. During this time, grass soaks up the most water before the soil has had time to heat up. The IFA said waiting to water until the heat of the day will cause too much water to evaporate, and watering at night causes grass to stay wetter longer, increasing the likelihood of disease.

What can you do to conserve water and save on your water bill?

By following the Utah Division of Water Resources watering guide, you’re not only doing your part in conserving water, but you’ll save on your water bill as well.

However, if you’re looking for other ways to save, consider switching your lawn to one that requires less water or installing timed or weather-based irrigation controllers. The State of Utah has several programs, such as rebate and incentive programs, that can help save money when making the switch to more water-wise lawns and lawn-care systems.

To learn more about each program or to apply for the incentives, visit the Utah Division of Water Resources website here.