How Often To Water New Grass Seed?

We all love a luscious, green lawn, but growing new grass from scratch can be a tricky project. However, once you get familiar with a few fundamentals, you will it much easier to handle.

The first thing to get a good start is watering.

Grass seeds require careful moisture in order to germinate and flourish, which means you’ll be watering them multiple times a day.

Let’s look into it and discuss the timing, frequency, and quantity of water new grass seeds require in detail. 

How Long To Water New Grass Seed?

How much water does new grass seed need? The length of time you should water your new grass seed is not fixed and it mostly depends on the condition of the weather and soil you are using.

However, as a general rule you can water your grass seed for around 5–10 minutes twice a day.

The beginning stages always requires some extra care and attention.

This should keep the top couple of inches of soil wet and prevent the seeds and soil from drying out. 

The amount of water you can use also depends on many things. First and foremost, your area’s weather conditions should be considered.

Dry, hot weather means that you will need to water the grass seed for a longer periods in order to keep the soil moist throughout the day. 

Can You Overwater New Grass Seed?

Yes, you should be careful not to overwater new grass seed every time.

Some tips to prevent overwatering include putting a timer on your sprinkler and watering only in the early morning and late afternoon.

Watering at night could result in the soil becoming waterlogged, causing fungal growth, which you definitely don’t want.

How Often Should I Water New Grass Seed Overseeding?

As I mentioned above, you should ideally water new grass seed twice a day, every single day.

Keep track of the soil and make sure it’s not too dry or too wet.

Don’t forget to take wind and weather conditions into account as well.

In late spring or summer, when temperatures are rising, it’s best to water your new grass seed at least 2-3 times a day.

If you have had a spell of rain in your area recently, reduce the amount or frequency of watering your grass seed accordingly.

Do the same when seasonal changes in weather are expected — for example, July, August and September are particularly wet months in some states.

This will prevent the soil from becoming full of water.

Is It Ok To Water New Grass Seed In The Evening?

Most experts do not recommend watering new grass seed in the evening, especially after sunset.

The reason behind this is that water evaporation is slow at night and can lead to waterlogged soil. Having too much water in your soil can also result in the growth of mold. 

The best time to water new grass seed is early in the morning and then again in the afternoon.

This will ensure that your soil has sufficient water during the hottest time of the day when evaporation is highest.

On the other hand, it will not be too wet during the night when the temperature is cooler and water is retained in the soil.

How Often To Water New Grass Seed After Germination?

The initial 5-30 days after planting new grass seeds are an important period and the soil should be kept moist at all times.

Once all the seeds germinate, you can lower your watering frequency. Remember that not all the seeds will germinate at the same time, so it’s a bit of a guessing game.

After germination, water the grass seeds once a day in the beginning and then slowly the frequency should be reduced further to 2-3 times a week.

Although the grass should be watered less frequently, the duration of watering should be longer initially so it gets time to soak.

Tips For Watering New Grass Seed

• When laying new seeds make sure that the soil is wet so that they can sink in and sprout easily.
• Avoid planting seeds during extremely hot summer months so you don’t have to water excessively. 
• Choose a fast-growing grass species to conserve the amount of water you use.
• Use a gentle method of watering so that the placement of the seeds isn’t disturbed.
• Make sure the water is being distributed evenly all over the lawn. Having dry patches or puddles can be troublesome and hinder the growth of the seeds.
• Add straw or mulch to the soil to help it retain moisture better. This way you can also avoid watering frequently during hot weather when the soil tends to dry out quickly.
• Keep pets, children and furniture away from the seeds when they are freshly laid down. If a chair or table fall over this could displace the seeds.

Conclusion

All in all, it is important to maintain the water schedule of your new grass seeds because drying out could quickly lead to death.

Adopt a daily watering routine and aim for 5-10 minutes of watering time early in the morning and then again in the afternoon.

Keep a check on soil conditions as well to get an idea of how much moisture is needed.

Happy gardening

• How To Turn Yellow Grass Green Fast?
• How To Store Grass Seeds? ( A Detailed Guide )
• Is Potting Soil Good For Grass?
• How Often To Water New Grass Seed?
• What Kills Crabgrass Permanently?
• How To Lay Gravel On Soil Correctly?
• Can You Put Granular Fertilizer On Wet Grass?