The Best Lawn Sprinkler

Buying Guide

Unless you happen to live in an area that gets the perfect amount of rain, you may need to use a sprinkler to water your lawn on a fairly regular basis. In many areas, this is only necessary during certain months of the year, as cold weather causes grass to go dormant and spring and autumn often have enough rain.

One look at your grass may tell you it needs some water, but there are some other telltale signs: for example, your footprints should disappear quickly when you walk across it. If they don’t, that means your grass lacks the moisture necessary to bounce back. Over time, you’ll learn when conditions have been dry long enough that you need to add some sprinkler power. (Watering your lawn when it doesn’t need it can be bad for it as well.)

Ideally, your home has a built-in sprinkler system that you can simply activate with the flip of a switch. But such a system isn’t required to water your lawn. A good sprinkler can be enough to do the job, particularly if you have a small to midsize yard. But even for bigger spaces, you can buy sprinklers that let you hook up multiple hoses across a wide expanse to broaden your reach.

• The time of day you water plays a direct role in the health of your lawn. The best time is before 10 a.m. in the morning. This allows it to really soak into the grass and roots before the sun completely evaporates it. Any evening watering should be done between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Too late and water will sit on the grass, soil and roots for hours without sunlight to evaporate it, potentially leading to disease.
• The first thing to look at when buying a sprinkler is reach. You’ll need one that can cover the area without you having to move it around constantly.
• Some sprinklers have weights built in that will keep them from tipping over during operation.
• If you’re watering a lawn you’ve never watered before, keep an eye on the soil to make sure you stop when it has enough moisture. Every 15 minutes, use a screwdriver to determine how deep the water has soaked in. Once it reaches 6 inches, note the time and turn the sprinkler off. This is the length of time you’ll need to water in the future.
• Chances are, the grass in your yard matches the type of climate you live in. Zoysia, St. Augustine, Bermuda and centipede grasses can handle drought better than other kinds, so you may be fine going months without rain.