The Grass Doctor

Tips on the care of newly grass seeded lawn?

We had our lawn aerated and seeded a week ago. How often do I water it? Any other good tips?

Public Comments

1. You need to water it enough so that the ground does not dry out. It doesn't require a lot of water...but does require you to water more often. 2-3 times a day until sprouts are at least 1/2 high. If you let the ground dry out...you will kill what is trying to grow.
2. Water it at least 1 inch every two or three days. It needs a lot of water now.
3. if you spread some hay lightly over the seeds, that will keep them from drying. Do not let the soil get dry. When the grass is about 3 inches high, mow it to increase the root growth
4. Water it often enough to not let the lawn dry out (2-3 times a day for about 5 minutes) until the lawn is ready for its first mowing. Let the ground dry out that day before mowing, so you don't mow a muddy, wet lawn. Water after mowing and go to a once-a-day, 10-minute watering for about a week. Each week, water less often but longer. Your goal is to water once a week for an hour in a fully-established lawn (with a couple of waterings in between on particularly hot, dry stretches). This deep-soaks the ground, resulting in longer roots and more drought resistance.
5. Enough to keep the soil damp at all times. If you can apply a mulch like chopped straw (not hay, it has seeds you don't want in your lawn) or compost over the seed, that will help keep the soil from drying. Did you roll or walk or otherwise get the seed into good contact with the soil surface?
6. Depends on where you live, hopefully you live where it will be warm during the fall. If the grass seedlings freeze before they get a good root system you'll have to reseed in the spring. A good rule of thumb is keep the ground moist and don't let it dry up or the seedlings will also. Don't over water or let the water run off because that will make your seeds wash away also. Spring is the best time for growing grass since because then you have all summer for it to grow. Good luck and enjoy your new yard.