Are you watering your lawn at 7 p.m. because it’s the most convenient time after work? If so, you’re likely wasting water, money, and inadvertently setting up your yard for disease.
Watering a lawn in Colorado is uniquely challenging. The high altitude, low humidity, intense sun, and ever-present afternoon wind lead to rapid evaporation. Plus, much of the Denver area has dense clay soil that doesn’t absorb water quickly.
But there is a scientifically proven best time to water, and getting it right is the single biggest factor in achieving that deep green color.
So, when is the best time to water your lawn? Here’s the final answer upfront: The best time to water your lawn in Colorado is early morning, between 4 a.m. and 10 a.m.
This article will explain why this window is perfect and provide a complete guide to watering frequency and duration in the Denver metro area, helping you to conserve water and grow a healthier lawn.
Why is it Important to Know When the Best Time to Water Your Lawn is?
Watering at the wrong time of day is one of the most common and costly mistakes Denver homeowners make. Knowing when and how to water isn’t just about conservation—it’s essential for the long-term health of your turf.
- Water Waste & Cost: Watering in the middle of the day (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.) is highly inefficient. The intense Colorado sun and low humidity can cause up to 50% of the water to evaporate before it even soaks into the root zone, hitting your wallet hard. Plus, wasting water is bad for the environment! Save water and use your sprinklers at the right times.
- Fungus and Disease: Watering in the evening or at night is arguably the worst mistake. When you water after the sun goes down, the grass blades stay wet all night. This creates the perfect cool, damp environment for fungal diseases, mold, and mildew to thrive, leading to ugly brown patches and expensive treatments.
- Shallow Roots: Watering too frequently (every day) but for too little time encourages your lawn to develop shallow roots. These weak roots can’t reach deep for moisture, making your grass unable to survive the intense, dry-heat stress of a Denver summer.
Remember, proper watering is the crucial first step to achieving a vibrant lawn. Learn more about the next steps in our guide on how to get green grass.
Let’s Get to it: When is the Best Time to Water Your Lawn in Denver, CO?
The period from 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. is the “Goldilocks Zone,” aka the best time to water your lawn.
Why Morning is Perfect ☀️
- Minimal Evaporation: The air is cool and still, and the winds are typically calm, meaning nearly all the water goes where it should: the soil.
- Sufficient Soaking Time: The water has several hours to penetrate deeply into the clay soil before the heat of the day arrives. This ensures the roots are fully hydrated.
- Disease Prevention: As the sun rises, it naturally dries the grass blades. This process prevents the prolonged moisture that encourages harmful fungal growth.
Why Evening is Dangerous for Your Lawn Health
Watering after 6 p.m. is strongly discouraged. While you avoid mid-day evaporation, you promote disease. When the grass blades are still wet as the air temperature drops, the moisture stays locked in, and the disease cycle begins. Common culprits like ‘Melting Out’ or ‘Rust’ can decimate an otherwise healthy lawn.
The Goldilocks Zone: How Much & How Often
The goal is to water deeply and infrequently.
- Frequency: For most of the Denver summer, you should only water 2 to 3 times per week. Never water every day.
- Duration: Your lawn needs about 1 inch of water per week during the peak summer heat. To figure out how long your sprinklers need to run to deliver this amount, try the simple Tuna Can Test:
- Place a few empty tuna cans on your lawn.
- Run your sprinklers for a set time (e.g., 15 minutes).
- Measure the depth of the water in the cans.
- If it took 15 minutes to get 1/4 inch of water, you know you need to run your sprinklers for 30 minutes to get 1/2 inch. Water for that duration, two times per week.
5 Tips on Keeping Your Lawn Watered and Happy
Aside from answering the infamous query of “when is the best time to water your lawn?” here are 5 more tips on how to keep your lawn healthy and happy.
1. Water in Cycles (Especially with Clay Soil)
Colorado’s notoriously dense clay soil can’t absorb a lot of water at once. If you run your system for 30 straight minutes, much of that water will run off the surface.
The Pro Technique is Cycle-Soaking:
- Water for 10 minutes.
- Wait one hour (this lets the water soak deeply without runoff).
- Water for another 10 minutes.
This method ensures deep penetration without waste.
2. Aeration is Your Watering Partner
Even the most perfect watering schedule can fail if your soil is compacted—a common issue with heavy clay soil. Compaction prevents water and oxygen from reaching the roots. Lawn aeration service breaks up the dense clay, creating pockets that allow water, air, and nutrients to penetrate deeply. If you struggle with standing water or runoff, it’s time for an aeration.
3. Don’t Forget to Fertilize
Watering correctly is only half the battle. Your grass needs nutrients to use that water efficiently, develop strong roots, and fight off the summer stress. A consistent Denver lawn fertilization plan provides the necessary fuel.
4. Check Denver’s Watering Rules
Always be mindful of your local utility provider. Denver Water and other surrounding districts have specific seasonal restrictions, such as limiting watering to certain days of the week or strictly prohibiting watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Check your city’s website to ensure compliance.
5. Adjust for the Seasons
Your watering schedule needs to evolve throughout the year:
- Spring: Start slow (1x per week, or as needed).
- Peak Summer: Increase to 2−3x per week.
- Fall: Taper back down as temperatures drop. This prepares the grass for winter dormancy and conserves water.
Why Choose Mile Hi Services for Your Exterior Home and Lawn Needs?
Mile Hi Services is locally owned and operated, which means we don’t follow generic national watering guidelines. We are experts in the high-altitude climate and challenging soil of the Denver Metro Area.
Proper watering is the start of a great lawn, but it works best when combined with professional lawn aeration and fertilization. We offer comprehensive services to ensure your turf receives everything it needs to thrive, not just survive, in the Colorado environment.
Happy Lawn, Happy Home
The secret to a healthy, water-efficient lawn in Colorado boils down to timing: Water deeply, infrequently, and always in the early morning.
By following these simple guidelines and partnering proper watering with professional care, you can maintain a beautiful yard while being a responsible water user.
Ready to stop guessing? Contact Mile Hi Services today to set up a comprehensive lawn care plan tailored to your Colorado home.