How Often Should You Water Your Garden During Summer to Ensure Plants and Grass Stay Healthy

As you stroll through your neighborhood, you'll likely notice various watering routines—from the neighbor who waters his vibrant lawn every day (sometimes twice on Sundays) to the one whose wilting hydrangeas are desperately craving a sip of water. So, what’s the optimal summer watering routine for your garden, and how does it vary with heavy rainfall or fresh landscaping?

Here's all the information you need to figure out your perfect summer watering plan. Say farewell to burnt lawns and wilting flowers—or exorbitant water bills.

Design your summer watering schedule based on your plants.

Watering twice a week during the hotter months should keep your lawn and gardens looking good, says landscape design expert Cate Singleton. But there are some parts of your garden that may need more help than that. For instance, if you have newly resodded or seeded lawns, new trees or plantings that aren't established, or plants in containers, they may need a daily water (or even twice daily, if it's a plant in a small container), especially when the weather is scorching hot.

However, if you've chosen mostly native plants and live in a more arid environment, you may be able to water far less often, as the plants are used to long stretches without water. So if you've planted a succulent garden in the desert southwest, you may need to water only once every 10 days during the summer, and only once or twice a month during the cooler months.

Put plants together that have similar watering needs.

When planning your garden layout, group plants with similar water needs together. For instance, place drought-tolerant plants like rosemary and lavender near each other, while water-loving plants like bee balm and butterfly weed should go elsewhere. This way, you can ensure each plant type receives the right amount of water without stressing them with too much or too little.

Measure the output of your sprinkler.

Your garden and lawn require around one inch of water per week to thrive (this includes rainfall!). However, during hot, windy, or sunny days, your plants may need extra water to replace what’s lost through evaporation.

To avoid over-watering or under-watering your garden, place several cans or containers (tuna cans work well) in different spots along your sprinkler’s coverage area, as recommended by the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources. After running the sprinkler for 20 minutes, measure the amount of water in each can using a ruler, and calculate the average to determine how much water your sprinkler dispenses in that time.

Depending on your sprinkler system’s efficiency, you may reach a half-inch of water (the amount needed if you water twice per week) in just 15 to 20 minutes—or it may take an hour or longer to reach that target.

Water at the optimal time of day.

To ensure your plants benefit fully from each watering, aim to water early in the morning or late in the evening. This allows the water to soak into the roots before the sun evaporates it. 'Watering in the early morning is the most efficient because the cooler temperatures minimize evaporation,' says Singleton.

Water the soil, not the leaves.

Using sprinklers often means water ends up on the plant leaves, which isn't ideal. A better solution would be drip or soaker hoses that snake through your garden and deliver water directly to the roots, reducing both evaporation and water waste.

Theresa Rooney, a master gardener, highlights another risk of overwatering: the potential for mildew or fungal issues on plants, such as powdery mildew. This problem can worsen if watering occurs in the evening, as excess moisture sits on the leaves overnight.

Abide by any local watering regulations.

In drought-prone areas, water restrictions are common during summer. Be sure to familiarize yourself with your local municipality's watering guidelines. Many regions assign specific days for watering, based on your address or zip code, says Singleton.

Employ smart gardening techniques to alleviate plant stress.

If you're unable to maintain your usual watering routine due to vacation or drought conditions, there are several strategies you can adopt to protect your plants from damage.

• Apply a generous amount of mulch: Mulch not only helps to keep moisture in the soil, but also reduces the growth of weeds that can steal valuable water from your plants.
• Be cautious with fertilizer when your plants are stressed: Just like you wouldn't want a large meal when you're feeling sick, Rooney says, your plants don't need a heavy dose of fertilizer during stressful times. Opt for something lighter if they’re struggling in the heat.
• Reposition containers to limit evaporation: Move your pots to a cooler, shadier spot during particularly hot weather to help them retain moisture.
• Let your grass grow longer: Regular mowing can stress out your lawn, and allowing the grass to grow a bit longer can help shield the soil and keep it moist for a longer period of time.