Watch for wilting as the sign to water not the calendar

What to Do

Instead of watering on a fixed schedule, watch your lawn for the first signs of drought stress: a blue-gray color change, footprints that remain visible for more than a few seconds, and leaf blades that fold or curl lengthwise.

Why It Works

Grass tells you when it needs water. Watering only when the lawn shows early wilt ensures you are not over-irrigating during cool, rainy periods. University of Missouri Extension specifically recommends waiting for wilt that lasts more than one day before starting irrigation.

Tips

• The blue-gray color shift is the earliest sign — water at this stage before the grass turns brown.
• Cool-season grasses can survive several weeks of dormancy without permanent damage if you stop watering during summer drought.
• Areas that wilt first (south-facing slopes, near pavement) can be spot-watered.