How much water for Creeping Thyme?

Question

I live in Colorado and have replaced my east-facing, sun-exposed blue grass turf with creeping thyme. I do get some shade in the PM from the sun setting behind the house must mostly there is sun all day. I keep reading that creeping thyme takes “much less” water than turf but that is not helping me program a watering schedule for my sprinkler system.

My sprinkler heads are of the fixed spray variety. Historically, I watered the turf three times a week during the night for about 15 minutes. How should I adjust that for that the creeping thyme? Or if you can tell me how many inches of water I need to apply in what time frame I can work into a watering schedule.

Answer 1

Your new Creeping Thyme plants will need extra watering to become established.
Depending on how hot it is your new plants will need a good soaking approx once or twice a week for the first 2 to 3 weeks.
Once the plants began to root out and grow you can cut back to a good soaking every 7 to 10 days. Yellowing of the plants can indicate to much water–make adjustments.
Always check the soil moisture, poke into the ground at least 2 to 3 inches to determine the moisture level.
The developing new lawn will use less moisture as it grows and fills in.
Weather conditions can change the moisture needed–you need to adjust to the the weather.
Once established the alternate lawn is quite drought tolerant and it is best to keep the plants slightly dry.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/lawn-care/lawn-substitutes/creeping-thyme-lawn/growing-creeping-thyme-lawns.htm