Does your lawn pass the footprint test? Perhaps not, given the drought.

If you leave a trail after walking across your grass, it's time to water — wisely.

When grass blades look dull, roll and fold and don't bounce back, water slowly and deeply to encourage roots to travel deeper, away from the quickly drying, hot soil surface. If we don't get much-needed rain, repeat weekly to help get your turf through this extremely dry period.

“Contrary to popular belief, lawns do not need frequent waterings,” says Doug Welsh of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service.

St. Augustine and zoysia need ¾ to 1 inch a week to stay green. Bermuda requires ½ inch a week.

Apply an inch of water and you'll wet our typical clay soil about 6 inches down, Texas A&M experts say. This is adequate for grass roots.

To measure how much your sprinkler waters in a set amount of time, place three to five empty short-sided cans in a line that starts near the sprinkler and continues to the edge of the sprinkler's coverage. Run for 10 minutes, then measure the amount in the cans. Determine how much longer you'll need to water to apply an inch.

If you need proof you've done the job, use a trowel to dig a 6-inch hole to check moisture at that depth.

Stretch each inch of water:

•Water early in the morning when it's cooler and winds are calm to minimize evaporation and maximize efficiency. Skip the sprinkler on breezy days. Water by hand or use drip irrigation to get moisture directly to the soil surface and avoid waste.

•Avoid runoff. Don't water the drive and street. If the soil is dry and hard, water runs off quickly. Let the sprinkler run until the water puddles, then turn it off for about a half-hour so the moisture can be absorbed. Repeat the process until an inch of water has been applied.

•Dethatch and aerate the lawn to encourage water penetration and reduce runoff.

•Mow at a higher height. Longer blades need less water, and they shade the soil, conserving moisture.

Mow St. Augustine grass at 3 inches,  zoysia at 2 inches, Bermuda at 1 1/2  inch.

•Don't apply nitrogen fertilizers that promote thirsty growth. Leave clippings on lawn to break down and replenish soil nutrients. An organically enriched soil better holds moisture.