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The best advice for watering new grass seed is both simple and complicated. You only get one chance to germinate seeds correctly. Not enough water will kill the sprout. Too much water can leave less than ideal results.
The simple word is too keep it moist all the time. That can prove to be a complicated demand because of the numerous factors that make every grass growing situation unique. Let’s discuss your basic goal, what it will take to achieve it, what problems can develop, and how to solve them.
The Goal Of Watering New Grass Seed
All seeds require moisture and a certain temperature range before they begin to germinate. Once the germination process has begun, if conditions change, the seed or new sprout is vulnerable and can die. If the seed or sprout dries out, it dies out. Your mission then, is to provide adequate moisture at all times. The pre-sprout phase is most critical. Your commitment to watering new grass seed must stay strong. The germination time for grass seed ranges from 5 to 30 days depending on the variety. It can be even longer than this in cooler temperatures. This is how long it will take to actually see the grass growing. Until this point, the seed, or the soil and mulch in contact with the seed, must stay moist. It doesn’t need to be soggy or swimming, but moist. Once the new grass is visible, the roots are also growing down into the soil. This happens quite quickly. As soil moisture below ground is more accessible to the roots, the plant is not so vulnerable now. However, don’t reduce the amount of watering on new grass seeds yet. Seeds will not sprout all at the same time. Seeds will be buried at different depths, absorb water differently, or be of different quality or maturity. Many seed mixtures are blends that will have different characteristics affecting their development. It is important to keep the surface level of soil constantly moist until all seeds have germinated. Until the planted area is densely showing green growth, don’t allow it to dry out. The percentage of seed germination is in your control, though people often blame a thin lawn on the “lousy seed that didn’t come up”! It is possible to increase the percentage of germinating seeds. Learn more in the article Grass Seed Germination.
Watering New Grass Seed: How Much?
Sun and wind can dry out the soil surface. Trees, shrubs, buildings and clouds can shade some areas, but not others. Lawn grasses being over-seeded may provide shade to new seeds in an inconsistent manner. These factors make it difficult to determine a single watering amount needed for an entire area for each day it is required. Consider how the requirements for watering new grass seed can be altered for each of the following circumstances.
An existing lawn being over-seeded.
Normally a lawn should be watered deeply but infrequently. Change this when you are watering for new grass seed. Now you must water everyday. Set automatic timers for about 5 to10 minutes early in the morning and again at mid-day. Observe and adjust this time. Sprinklers have a broad range of flow in gallons per minute and you must use your judgment here. Watering done by hand or hose-end sprinklers must be consistently and evenly applied. It should provide approximately the same amount of moisture throughout, but less in shady areas. Twice daily watering is essential until the new grass is up, then after one more week, reduce to once per day. Adjust this pattern according to season and temperature demands.
Bare lawn areas being patched.
If there are areas of substantial size or number, follow the same instructions as above. For smaller amounts or areas, if hand watering is practical, leave the lawn on its normal irrigation schedule. Supplement the bare areas twice daily, or as needed, to keep the new seed moist.
New lawn areas sowed with grass seed.
New lawn preparation done properly will have tilled the soil to loosen the ground for the new grass plants. This loose soil is prone to holding large amounts of water. Do not over-water! Some soil types will get spongy. Walking on it in this condition will leave serious depressions and cause compaction. The top inch of soil should stay moist at all times. This may take 2-3 minutes or 5-6 minutes, depending on your sprinkler system and the soil type. Use your judgment. Moist, but not soggy is the plan! As above, it should be repeated 2 or even 3 times each day, if the weather is warm or hot enough to require it. Watering new grass seed on new lawn areas does not require lengthy watering times. That simply sends the water deeper than it is needed at this time. Frequent watering is the only way to keep adequate surface moisture.
Problems To Avoid When Watering
New Grass Seed
Be careful, and avoid: - Over-watering that results in puddles on the surface. This can allow the seed to float around and the grass will not be evenly distributed.
- Run-off and seed movement on sloping ground. It may be necessary to reduce the watering time and repeat more frequently. A mulch over the seed may help reduce seed movement.
- Over-watering that allows the soil to get soggy and spongy. It can take a long time for some soils to dry out. Clay or adobe soil is the worst. Stay off of them if this happens.
- Over-watering areas that are shaded and need less water while sunny areas need more water. Usually a problem with automatic sprinkler systems. If feasible, consider one cycle of automatic watering on the entire area, and a hand watering later, to cover just the more exposed areas.
- Uneven watering due to sprinklers that are clogged, not adjusted or inadequately designed. Always check and do necessary corrections to a sprinkler system before the grass seed is sown.
- Under-watering new grass seed, especially not often enough, due to any and all excuses. Remember, one mistake can mean you start all over again.
Tips For Better Results
- Before watering the new grass seed even once, cover it with a mulch. Get tips in the article Planting Grass Seed - Part 2.
- Avoid the hottest season or occasional heat-spells when planting. Watering new grass seed is enough of a challenge without taking on the heat as an enemy.
- If you see moss or algae type growths showing up, especially in shady areas, there is too much moisture present.
- For small patch projects, some seed brands are coated with a covering that holds moisture. This approach is effective, but may be too expensive to consider for a large area.
- Don’t buy a cheap lawn sprinkler. They often leak and cause puddles. They do not evenly distribute the water. Companies that research and test their products for effective coverage have to charge more. You get what you pay for. Oscillating sprinklers are good for watering new grass seed in large areas where run-off is a concern.
Remember that the benefits far outweigh the trouble you go through while starting a lawn. Watering new grass seed may be quite a nuisance, so be sure to get it right the first time! Visit our Lawn Care Home Page to see what other topics may assist you in creating, maintaining and enjoying a beautiful, healthy lawn.
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