Water Requirements for Grass
In most areas of the country, water uptake averages between 0.20 inches to 0.30 inches per day by turf grass. This equals roughly 5000 to 8000 gallons per acre per day. An acre is 43,555 square feet, 325,796 gallons per acre-foot or 27,150 gallons per acre-inch.
Watering Pastures
A 10 to 14 day schedule is recommended for irrigated pastures. Apply two inches of water during each irrigation in cool weather. For lawns, adjust watering based on weather conditions.
Efficient Watering Techniques
The ideal time for morning watering is before 9 AM. It takes about one half gallon of water per square foot of yard to cover your lawn with one inch of water. The cheapest way to water a 1 acre lawn is to divide it into sections and water each section for 20-30 minutes.
Watering Practices and Irrigation
Drip irrigation is the most water-efficient way to irrigate many plantings, especially in clay soils. Avoid overwatering as it can harm grass and promote disease. At night, watering can result in better water absorption.