To properly water grass seed for successful germination and growth, follow these guidelines:
- Initial watering frequency: Water new grass seed lightly and frequently, about 2 to 4 times daily, for 5 to 10 minutes each session. This keeps the top 1 to 1.5 inches of soil consistently moist without flooding the area
- Duration of frequent watering: Maintain this frequent watering schedule for about 1 to 2 weeks, until the grass seed has fully germinated and seedlings start to appear
- Adjusting watering after germination: Once seedlings emerge, reduce watering frequency to about every other day or 2 to 3 times per week, but increase watering duration to 20 to 30 minutes per session to encourage deeper root growth
- Long-term watering: After about 5 to 8 weeks, when grass is more established, water every other day or 1 to 2 times per week depending on weather conditions, aiming for about 1 inch of water per week total, including rainfall
- Best time to water: Water in the early morning and/or evening when temperatures are cooler to minimize evaporation and allow water to soak into the soil effectively
- Avoid overwatering: Do not let water pool or saturate the soil excessively, as this can wash away seeds or cause them to rot. The goal is to keep the soil moist but not drenched
- Special considerations for bare spots: Water bare seeded patches 2 to 4 times daily with light watering until germination, while watering the rest of the lawn less frequently
In summary, keep the seedbed consistently moist with light, frequent watering initially, then gradually shift to deeper, less frequent watering as the grass establishes. This approach promotes healthy germination and strong root development for a lush lawn.
