Watering Your Yard Year-Round

The Right Way to Water Your Lawn in the Lake Oconee and Lake Sinclair, Georgia areas —Season by Season

If you’ve ever wondered how much water your lawn really needs, you’re not alone. In Georgia, where the weather can flip from drought to downpour in a week, getting your watering routine right can make a big difference in the health and look of your grass.

Here’s a simple, season-by-season guide to help you water wisely and keep your lawn looking great all year long.

Spring: Ease Into It

As winter fades, your grass starts to wake up. Spring in Georgia is usually pretty mild, and we tend to get a decent amount of rain. That means you won’t need to do a whole lot of watering early on.

• Water once or twice a week, depending on how much rain we’re getting.

• Try to give your lawn about one inch of water per week, total (including rainfall).

• Early morning is best—think between 4 and 9 a.m.—so the water can soak in before the sun gets too hot.

Quick Tip: Stick an empty tuna can on your lawn while you water. When it fills up, you’ve hit about an inch.

Summer: Water Deep, Not Daily

Georgia summers are hot, humid, and often dry. This is when your lawn needs the most help. But more watering doesn’t always mean better watering.

• Water two to three times a week, max.

• The goal is still about 1 to 1.5 inches a week, but focus on deep, infrequent watering to encourage deep roots.

• Morning watering is key—early enough to avoid evaporation and prevent disease.

Drought Tip: If we hit a dry spell or water restrictions kick in, don’t panic. Most warm-season grasses like Bermuda and Zoysia can go dormant and bounce back once it rains again.

Fall: Start Slowing Down

As temperatures start to cool off, your lawn actually grows better. The heat stress is gone, and fall is a great time to give your grass what it needs to get strong before winter.

• Cut back to watering once a week, depending on rainfall.

• Keep that one-inch-a-week goal in mind.

• If it’s been raining regularly, you might not need to water at all.

Bonus: Fall is also prime time to aerate, fertilize, and overseed. A healthy lawn needs less water—and saves you time and money in the long run.

Winter: Barely Water at All

In most parts of Georgia, lawns go dormant in winter. The grass turns brown, but that doesn’t mean it’s dead—it’s just sleeping. And it doesn’t need much water while it’s resting.

• You might go weeks without watering—and that’s perfectly fine.

• If we have a long dry spell (3–4 weeks without rain), a light watering is okay.

• Avoid watering before a freeze to prevent damage to the roots.

  
  

  A Few Extra Tips

• Smart controllers or Wi-Fi timers can adjust watering based on weather.

• If you see water running off your lawn, it’s not soaking in. Water in shorter cycles to help it absorb better.

• Aerating once or twice a year helps water reach deeper into the soil where your roots need it most.

  
  

Final Thoughts

Watering your lawn isn’t about sticking to a strict schedule—it’s about paying attention to the season, the weather, and how your lawn is responding. With the right approach, your grass can thrive through Georgia’s heat, rain, and everything in between.