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Watering Your Newly Seeded Lawn

How to ensure your new lawn grows in right.

General Information

Growing a lush, healthy lawn requires patience and precision, especially when it comes to watering. One of the most crucial steps in establishing a new lawn is ensuring that your grass seeds get just the right amount of water. Too much water can drown your seeds, while too little will leave them struggling to take root. Germination is a gradual process that unfolds over weeks, and how you water during this time plays a significant role in the success of your lawn. Hence, the importance of sharing essential tips and techniques to help you achieve the perfect balance for a thriving lawn.

After the completion of our work, please follow the watering guidelines outlined below. Much like caring for new landscaping, you’ll need to assess when and how much watering is necessary.

Watering Guidelines

  • Begin watering immediately (morning is best). The soil must stay moist, it Is key to not let lawn soil dry out.
  • Water daily. During the first 3-4 weeks water each area at least 2 times per day (hot dry weather could require watering 3-4 times per day).
  • Water long enough to provide ¼” of water. The best way to measure this is by placing a few cans (tuna or vegetable can) in your yard.
  • After the grass has been mowed (about 3-4 weeks), water every second day. Provide ½” of water per time. Your lawn will develop a stronger root system with less frequent but deeper watering.
  • Hot, dry, and windy conditions will require additional watering.

Watering Frequency After Germination

The moment you see young grass plants sprouting up, it’s time to adjust your watering schedule.

Decrease watering frequency to once a day while increasing the amount of water you give them. This change in schedule and amount allows new grass seed to grow deeper roots during the early stages.

In roughly 6-8 weeks, your grass will be established and should provide full coverage across your lawn. At this time, it’s best to scale back even further on watering. Two to three times a week should be enough. Be sure to give enough water so that about an inch of moisture can soak through. This step is crucial in encouraging deep root growth, which is exactly what your lawn needs.

Mowing Instructions

Once your grass becomes 3-4″ high, you can mow it using the highest notch on your lawnmower. Be careful not to remove more than 1/3 of the grass during a mowing. Optimal grass height is 3″ tall.

Additional Tips

  • Do not rake off mulch or erosion fabric; there may be grass seed in it. Raking may harm the young new grass. Mulch and erosion fabric will biodegrade.
  • You may have a few areas in which the seeds did not germinate. Loosen and smooth the soil with a rake or shovel. Reseed and water the area.
  • Store grass seed in a cool, dry place. Use the seed up in two years.
  • During weeks of excessive rainfall, lighten up on your typical watering schedule.
  • If it hasn’t rained in quite some time and your soil is dry, that’s a great time to give your lawn a bit more water.
  • Wait about 4 to 8 weeks after your lawn is newly seeded before applying a standard fertilizer. 

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