Irrigate as infrequently as possible. Irrigate when the turf starts turning a dull bluish green, the first sign of drought stress. Apply enough water to drench the soil six to eight inches deep. Raise the height of cut during stress and mow more often. Fertilize lightly in the summer months, especially on tall fescue.
Proper irrigation is the key to maintaining turfgrasses.
Although irrigation may be costly, a green and growing turf improves environmental conditions. The main benefits of a healthy turf include water and wind erosion control. An actively growing turf may have a surface temperature that is 20 degrees F cooler than a dormant turf during the summer. Factors Affecting Water Use Water use, also called evapotranspiration, is the total amount of water needed for turfgrass growth, plus the quantity evaporated from the soil surface. Atmospheric water loss increases as temperature and solar radiation increase.