UK homeowners are being encouraged to wake up early this summer and join the '5am club' to water their lawns, as the recent heatwave has left many gardens dry and scorched. With temperatures expected to rise further, knowing the optimal time to hydrate your grass could make a significant difference, even if it means setting the alarm clock a bit earlier.
Expert Advice from The Grass People
Chris McIlroy, a lawn expert at The Grass People, has observed that dedicated gardeners are increasingly rising at dawn to tend to their lawns. He noted: "We've seen many keen gardeners joining the '5am club' and watering their lawns as the sun is rising. It seems extreme, but when we're experiencing extreme hot weather for this time of year, gardeners need to react accordingly."
McIlroy explained that during this period, lawns are typically in a transitional phase, and sudden temperature changes can lead to dehydration, particularly for newer lawns with weaker root systems. Watering in the cooler early morning hours gives the grass the best chance to withstand the heat throughout the day.
Best Practices for Lawn Watering
According to McIlroy, it is best to give your lawn a generous soak as early as possible. In hot weather, water can evaporate from the surface before reaching the roots. He emphasized that watering deeply and infrequently is more effective than frequent light watering, as it encourages roots to grow deeper and become more resilient to drought conditions.
For those who struggle to wake up early or miss their alarm, watering in the evening is a better alternative than a midday soak. However, McIlroy cautioned that evening watering carries some risks: "Sometimes temperatures can drop significantly overnight, and any trapped moisture can create areas for bacteria to thrive on your plants and grass." Nevertheless, he concluded that it is still preferable to leaving the garden dehydrated or wasting water during the hottest part of the day.
