Bermuda grass is a popular choice across Texas lawns because of its aggressive growth and resilience to the state’s intense summer heat. While this warm-season turf thrives in high temperatures, maintaining its health requires a precise watering strategy. The challenging combination of Texas heat, dry periods, and heavy clay soils means that watering incorrectly can quickly lead to a stressed, brown lawn. Determining the correct duration for your specific system is the first step in ensuring your Bermuda grass remains vibrant and hardy throughout the long growing season.
The Goal of Deep Watering for Bermuda Grass
The primary objective for any watering session is to encourage the Bermuda grass to develop a deep, extensive root system that can withstand drought conditions. Shallow, frequent watering sessions train the roots to stay near the surface, making them vulnerable to rapid drying and heat stress.
To build a resilient lawn, aim to moisten the soil to a depth of six to eight inches during each irrigation event. This deep penetration encourages the roots to grow downward, accessing stable moisture reserves. The standard measurement for achieving this depth is applying approximately one inch of water in a single, deep session. A simple test using a long screwdriver or probe should slide easily into the soil up to six inches an hour after watering if the application was successful.
Calculating Watering Duration by System Type
The precise amount of time needed to deliver one inch of water depends entirely on the type of irrigation head and the water pressure in your home. Assuming a universal duration is a common mistake, as different sprinkler systems apply water at wildly varying rates. The most accurate way to calculate the required runtime is by performing a simple catch-cup test.
To perform this measurement, place several straight-sided containers, such as tuna cans, randomly across a single sprinkler zone. Run your irrigation system for a fixed period, such as 15 minutes, then measure the average depth of water collected. Use this figure to calculate the total time needed to reach the one-inch target. For example, if you collected a quarter-inch of water in 15 minutes, you would need to run that zone for 60 minutes total to apply one inch of water.
In a typical residential setup, fixed spray heads often have a high precipitation rate and may only need to run for about 20 to 30 minutes to deliver a half-inch of water. Rotor or rotary heads, which move slowly and distribute water over a larger area, have a lower precipitation rate and may require 45 to 60 minutes to deliver the same half-inch. If watering manually with a hose-end sprinkler, the duration can vary even more widely, sometimes requiring over an hour to deliver a half-inch, making the catch-cup test essential.
The clay-heavy soil prevalent throughout Texas has a slow absorption rate, meaning running any system for a long duration can lead to excessive runoff. To prevent this, use the “cycle and soak” method, which breaks the total required watering time into shorter segments. For instance, if your calculation shows a 60-minute runtime is necessary, split it into three 20-minute sessions separated by a one-hour pause. This pause allows the water from the first cycle to soak into the soil before the next cycle begins, ensuring deep penetration without runoff.
Seasonal Adjustments for Texas Climate and Drought
While the duration of your watering session is fixed by your irrigation system’s output, the frequency must change significantly throughout the year to match the Texas climate. Bermuda grass needs about one inch of water per week during its peak growing season, but the rate at which this water is lost changes with the temperature. A static schedule will either underwater the lawn in summer or overwater it in spring.
During the peak summer months (typically June through August), high temperatures and high evapotranspiration rates mean the lawn may need one to one and a half inches of water per week to remain healthy. This usually requires watering two or three times a week, ensuring you hit the one-inch depth target across those sessions. Always water in the early morning, before 10 AM, to minimize water loss from evaporation.
The transitional periods of spring and fall require a significantly reduced frequency. As temperatures moderate, the lawn’s water needs drop, and watering once every five to seven days is often sufficient. When winter approaches, Bermuda grass enters dormancy, turning brown and ceasing active growth, and watering can be virtually eliminated. Only during extended, dry winter spells should you apply a light quarter-inch of water to prevent the soil from becoming completely desiccated.
Homeowners must also monitor local water restrictions, which are often implemented during periods of drought. These restrictions frequently dictate mandatory watering days, which supersede the ideal schedule. In these cases, prioritize applying your full, deep-watering duration on the allowed days, even if the frequency is less than ideal, to maximize the water that reaches the deep root zone.