How Often to Water Your Lawn in Winter for Lush Grass Next Spring, According to Experts

During spring and summer, it often seems like your lawn can't get enough water. But once winter temperatures arrive and your landscape quiets down for the season, you may not even think about watering your grass. While most grasses are dormant during winter, they still need some water to recover quickly next spring. To help you navigate your lawn's watering needs during cooler weather, we spoke to landscaping experts who shared their tips for how often to water your lawn in winter. 

How Often to Water Your Lawn in Winter

Your lawn still needs some water in winter, but not much, as most grasses are dormant during this time of year. "Grasses are not taking in nutrients and need very little water in winter," says Craig Elworthy, founder of Lawnbright. You likely will not need to water much unless you’re in a severe drought with no measurable precipitation for a month or more, he adds. During periods of drought, give your water a 1/2 inch of water every two weeks.

You can check soil moisture by inserting a screwdriver or using a soil moisture meter. "Watering may be necessary if it’s dry several inches below the surface," says Jason McCausland, national technical coordinator for Weed Man.

Cool-Season vs. Warm-Season Grasses

Most grasses can be divided into two categories: cool-season and warm-season grasses. These broad terms refer to when certain grasses have the most growth. Cool-season grasses start growing in late winter to early spring and go dormant in summer, while warm-season grasses begin growing in late spring to early summer and go dormant in winter.

No matter the type of grass you have, both cool-season and warm-season grasses that are dormant in winter only need to be watered during periods of drought.

However, areas where grass grows year-round, such as the southern tip of Florida and a few pockets of tropical zones in southern states, are exceptions and may need to be watered as often as once a week during winter, says McCausland.

When to Water Your Lawn in Winter

If you need to water your lawn in winter, midmorning is the best time to do so, says McCausland, to encourage healthy roots and reduce evaporation from the afternoon sun. Also, consider your overnight temperatures and avoid watering late in the day to reduce the chances of ice forming on the grass.

Risks or Underwatering Your Lawn in Winter

A lack of moisture during winter can cause a few lawn issues. One potential problem is root desiccation, which weakens the grass, making it more vulnerable to insect and disease problems in spring. "It also allows the soil to further compact, creating an unhealthy environment for the root system and making it more difficult to absorb moisture, creating issues with run-off," says McCausland.

What's more, lawns that don't get enough water in winter can be slow to recover from dormancy in spring. "This slow recovery can lead to thin areas, and bare patches will not fill in quickly, which will invite weeds later in the spring," says Elworthy.

Risks of Overwatering Your Lawn in Winter

Excessive moisture can cause root rot and fungal diseases no matter the season. "The grass roots can suffocate due to a lack of oxygen in overly wet soil, weakening the lawn," says McCausland. "Standing water can compact the soil, reducing drainage and harming root development when growth resumes in spring." It's best to water sparingly in winter, if at all.