Tampa homeowners know that Florida’s sunshine is a blessing—and a challenge. Your lawn loves the light, but in May, when rain hasn’t quite caught up with the rising heat, your grass might be gasping for water. That’s why this time of year can make or break your lawn’s health, and proper watering is one of the most important decisions you can make to keep your yard lush and thriving.
At Green Solutions Lawn Care & Pest Control, we’re locals. We live and breathe the same weather patterns you do, and we’ve seen what happens when people go overboard or don’t do enough. Finding the right balance in May isn’t about guessing—it’s about knowing what your lawn needs, when it needs it, and how to make every drop count.
May is a unique month in Tampa. The temperatures are warming up quickly, but we’re still a few weeks away from the regular summer rain showers that help out your irrigation system. This creates a bit of a dry stretch—one where your lawn is at risk of stress without the right support.
Warm-season grasses like St. Augustine, Zoysia, and Bermuda dominate our area, and they each need a consistent level of moisture to stay green and strong. Too little water, and you’re dealing with dry patches and thinning turf. Too much, and you’re inviting fungus and weeds into your yard. Timing, amount, and consistency all matter more than ever this month.
You don’t need to water every day, and doing so can actually do more harm than good. In May, two to three times per week is the sweet spot for most Tampa lawns. That frequency is just enough to keep the soil moist without waterlogging the roots.
Each watering session should provide about one inch of water. This amount encourages your grass to grow deeper roots, which is what it needs to withstand both drought and the inevitable downpours of summer. Shallow watering only trains roots to hover near the surface, leaving your lawn more vulnerable to dry spells and diseases.
So if you’re wondering whether it’s better to water a little every day or give a good soaking a few times a week—the latter always wins.
Yes, there are actual rules for when you can water your lawn in Tampa and throughout Hillsborough County. These aren’t just suggestions—they’re mandatory, and they’re designed to help us conserve water during our dry season.
Here’s the breakdown of the current watering schedule based on your street address:
You're allowed to water twice per week, either before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m., but not both. The goal is to avoid watering during the hottest part of the day, when evaporation steals water before it ever reaches the roots. And while nighttime might seem convenient, it encourages fungal growth because the grass stays wet for too long. Sticking to those early morning or early evening windows gives your lawn what it needs without causing trouble later.
Always double-check the Hillsborough County Water Restrictions page in case of any temporary changes or drought-related updates.
Timing isn’t just about what days you can water—it’s about what time of day delivers the best results. The best time to water your lawn in Tampa during May is early in the morning, ideally around 5 a.m. This timing allows water to seep into the soil and reach the roots before the sun gets high and evaporation kicks in.
Watering later in the morning or mid-day wastes water. Watering at night can create a breeding ground for fungus. If you’re using an automatic irrigation system, setting it to run just before dawn is your best bet for a healthy, hydrated lawn.
Getting the right amount of water isn’t just about turning on the sprinklers—it’s about knowing how long to let them run. Different types of sprinkler heads require different run times to deliver that one inch of water your lawn needs.
To check if you’re getting one inch, place a shallow container (like a tuna can) on your lawn during a watering session. When it fills up to about an inch, you’ll know how long it takes your system to do the job.
Tampa’s weather is unpredictable, especially in late spring. We can go from completely dry to sudden rainstorms in a matter of hours. That’s why it’s important to pay attention to rainfall when planning your irrigation schedule.
If we’ve had a good rainstorm that delivered at least an inch of water, skip your next scheduled watering. Overwatering can be just as damaging as underwatering. Soggy soil encourages root rot, weeds, and fungal problems that are much harder to fix than a dry spot or two.
Even if your sprinklers are on a timer, be ready to adjust manually when the weather changes. Smart irrigation systems that adjust for weather automatically can be a helpful investment if you want to take the guesswork out of the process.
Your grass will tell you if it’s thirsty—you just need to know what to look for. Spotting these early signs can help you avoid major issues down the line:
On the flip side, if your lawn is yellowing, feeling squishy underfoot, or growing mushrooms and weeds, you might be overdoing it. Finding the balance is key—and it often changes week to week in May.
Even if you’ve got the right schedule down, a broken sprinkler head or clogged nozzle can ruin your watering efforts. That’s why it’s important to inspect your irrigation system regularly. A misaligned spray head might be watering your sidewalk more than your grass, and a leaky valve can create pools of water that lead to root rot.
At Green Solutions Lawn Care & Pest Control, we always encourage homeowners to do a quick walk-through of their system once or twice a month. Make sure each zone is functioning properly and that water is being distributed evenly across your lawn.
If you’re not sure whether your system is doing the job, give us a call. We can help inspect and fine-tune it so your lawn gets exactly what it needs, when it needs it.
Watering your lawn properly in May isn’t just about frequency and volume—it’s also about strategy. A few small changes can make a big difference:
Staying on top of these details in May sets your lawn up for success as summer approaches.
May might not be the rainiest month in Tampa, but it’s one of the most important times to set your lawn up for the summer season. Watering the right way—on the correct days, at the right times, and in the right amounts—can mean the difference between a struggling lawn and one that thrives all the way through the heat and humidity ahead.
At Green Solutions Lawn Care & Pest Control, we don’t believe in cookie-cutter advice. Your lawn is unique, and so is your schedule. If you're not sure whether your current watering habits are working—or if you just want a professional eye on your setup—we're here to help.
You don’t have to navigate Tampa’s tricky watering rules, weather patterns, and irrigation challenges alone. Whether you need a lawn health assessment, irrigation advice, or a seasonal care plan tailored to your yard, Green Solutions Lawn Care & Pest Control is just a phone call away. Schedule a free estimate and let us help you take the guesswork out of watering and bring your lawn back to life—just in time for summer.
Contact us today and receive a free estimate for any of our lawn care & lawn treatment services. We are Tampa, Florida's number one provider for all lawn care and green pest removal services.
Green Solutions Lawn Care & Pest Control
4002 Garden LnTampa, Florida 33610
Phone: 813-684-7336
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Green Solutions is proud to offer our customers over fifty years of industry experience and is confident that we hold the solution to your lawn and pest problems.
Our Staff is readily available to provide lawn and pest assessments and to make sound recommendations.
The best lawn care professionals in Tampa Bay, Florida. I use them every other month, and will continue to!
Mark Hamilton, Customer
March 22, 2013
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