Water an established North Texas lawn about one inch per week total, delivered deeply and infrequently, early in the morning, and split across the two watering days your city allows. Deep, infrequent watering grows deep roots that survive our summers. Daily light watering grows shallow roots that fry the first hot week. Here is how to get it right inside DFW's watering restrictions.
The goal: one inch a week, deep
Grass roots chase water. If you water a little every day, the roots stay near the surface where it is hottest and driest. If you water deeply twice a week, the roots grow down where the soil holds moisture. One inch per week, in one or two deep soakings, is the target for an established lawn.
Work within Stage 1 restrictions
Most DFW cities run twice-a-week watering on assigned days for much of the year. That actually fits deep-and-infrequent perfectly: put a half-inch down on each of your two days. New sod gets a temporary 30-day variance, but established lawns should plan around the two-day schedule.
Water early
Water before sunrise (or as early as your system allows). Morning watering soaks in before the heat evaporates it and lets the blades dry during the day, which prevents the fungus that evening watering encourages.
How to measure an inch
Set a few empty tuna cans or a rain gauge on the lawn and run a cycle. Time how long it takes to collect a half-inch; that is your per-day run time. On our clay, you often need to water in two shorter bursts a few minutes apart (the "cycle and soak" method) so the water soaks in instead of running off.
Adjust for the season
- Spring and fall: rain often covers part of the inch. Water only to make up the difference.
- Peak summer: you will need the full two days, and raising your mowing height helps the lawn hold what you give it.
- Winter: dormant Bermuda and Zoysia need very little.
In the worst of summer, see keeping a DFW lawn alive without wasting water. For the full routine, see the complete guide to lawn care in North Texas.