New watering laws (twice weekly) has allowed my lawn to burn. Now how can we make them green again?

Question

Fertilizing has helped to green my lawn only to re-burn since limiting water.

Answer 1

If you were fertilizing and watering often then your grass got greedy for water, the roots grew on the surface, the green growth was soft, and the grass became susceptible to burning. Sprinkling every day rather than giving it one or two heavy waterings per week is a good way to make your grass weak.

First thing to do is to stop fertilizing. It is part of the reason your grass is getting burned out. Many grasses go dormant in the hot part of summer and start to grow again when the weather cools in September. Water heavily once per week, and the grass should green up again. Grass lawns need an inch of water per week to keep them growing

Answer 2

Both sandy and mrlaze have good answers. Also consider what type of fertiliser you're using. Super phosphates can burn if they're not watered in, or go on a dry lawn. Slow release lawn foods and organic stuff like chicken poo and sheep poo types are better for lawns. Also, in a hot area, keep your lawn mown high  - this provides it's own shade for roots. Now applying all that, I have used grey water dripped on soakers or sprinkled early in the morning. Check with council rules on this though for health reasons?

Answer 3

If you can only water twice a week you should water it twice on those two days. Once in the morning around 9am and once in the evening, around dusk, before it gets too dark. You dont want to water in full sun(it will cause burn and waste water to evaporation) or in cold darkness(it will cause mold).

Also Sandy is correct about fertilizing. You sould fertilize in the fall for growth (Nitrogen) (Assuming you have a 'cool season' grass. That means it grows more in the cool season) and for dormancy/health in the spring (Pottasium I believe). If you have a 'warm season' grass switch it.