The Water-Wise Lawn Report 2025 offers homeowners practical advice for maintaining healthy lawns while reducing water use. The report emphasizes checking the U.S. Drought Monitor, which is updated weekly and classifies drought conditions from D0 to D4. Homeowners are encouraged to follow local watering restrictions during drought periods and adjust their irrigation practices accordingly.
According to guidance from university extensions and the EPA’s WaterSense program, most established lawns require only 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, including rainfall. During deep drought dormancy, watering can be reduced to 1 inch every two to three weeks, which helps preserve the grass crown without excessive water use.
The report recommends deep and infrequent watering over shallow daily irrigation. Letting water penetrate 4–6 inches into the soil encourages deeper root growth and long-term turf health. The cycle-and-soak method—running sprinklers in multiple short cycles rather than one long session—can help prevent runoff and ensure more effective absorption.
Mowing practices also impact lawn moisture retention. Raising the mower deck height during hot or dry periods shades the soil surface, reduces evaporation, and supports deeper root development. The report advises following the one-third rule: never remove more than a third of the grass blade at once to avoid stressing the plant.
Irrigation timing is highlighted as another key factor in efficient water use. Early morning (between 4 a.m. and 9 a.m.) is identified as the best time for watering because cooler temperatures and lower wind reduce evaporation losses. Watering at midday or night is discouraged due to increased evaporation or heightened risk of turf diseases.
A WaterSense-certified smart controller can help automate these recommendations by adjusting watering schedules based on weather conditions, potentially saving an average household about 7,600 gallons of water annually according to EPA estimates (https://www.epa.gov/watersense/statistics-and-facts). The report suggests a simple weekly routine: check local drought status on Thursdays, skip irrigation if there has been sufficient rainfall, water only when necessary before 9 a.m., and adjust mowing height during hot weeks.
For those struggling with lawn health or high water bills despite these measures, professional help may be beneficial. GreenPal connects homeowners with local lawn care providers who understand both irrigation systems and specific plant needs.
The information in this report draws on resources from Drought.gov’s U.S. Drought Monitor (https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/), university extension services such as Illinois Extension (https://extension.illinois.edu/lawntalk/how-much-water-does-your-lawn-need) and North Dakota State University (https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/extension/publications/lawn-watering-guide), as well as guidance from Missouri Extension (https://ipm.missouri.edu/MEG/2018/6/survivalWatering/) and Oregon State University Extension (https://extension.oregonstate.edu/news/mow-high-during-summer-heat-protect-your-lawn).
"Use GreenPal to find a lawn care service provider in your town that understands your irrigation system and the needs of your specific plants and grass," states the report.