05/07/2025
Who is wondering how to water those freshly seeded winter kill areas now that there is no rain in the forecast? Here's our generic watering guide-
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.(Very difficult to overwater in most situations)
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 phase before you’ve seen any sprouts poking out 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 of multiple varieties that will have different characteristics affecting their development. It is important to keep the surface area 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!" or the “cheap contractors mix that our landscaper used.” We have given you the tools to create a beautiful, healthy lawn. It’s now up to you!
It's Like Taking Care Of A Baby!
Some soil types will get spongy, especially newly seeded topsoil. Walking on it in this condition will leave serious depressions and cause compaction. Trying to correct a yard full of deep footprints is not a chore you want to attempt. Try your best not to walk on newly seeded lawn areas for at least 2-3 weeks while moving your sprinkler.
The top inch of soil should stay moist at all times! This may take only 5-10 minutes or 15-20 minutes, or longer, depending on your sprinkler system, the soil type and the sun exposure. Use your best judgment. Moist, but not soggy is the plan!
As above, it should be repeated. 2 or even 3 times each day is appropriate if the weather is 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 early stage.
Mow for the first time at about 3-4 inches and then try to mow enough that you are not taking more than more than an inch per mowing. After mowing 3-4 times you want to transition to a deep soaking watering. This makes the roots go down looking for water. Change waterings to less frequent but longer.
Important Hint: Grasses are "monocots", meaning they emerge from the soil as a single blade. This single blade develops into a larger plant, but it will take time. Don't expect to have a thick lawn in a few weeks. It takes at least one full year and often two years to get thick, healthy turf when starting with seed on bare soil.
