Bring New Grass Seed To Life With These Watering TIps

You might not think about growing grass seed as gardening, but all the same principles apply. While soil, sunlight, and water are the essentials for gardening magic to happen, knowing how much of each element is needed is crucial – especially when it comes to watering. If you’ve been curious about how much to water new grass seed, you’ve landed at the right place.

We’ve asked gardening pros some questions about watering new grass seeds so you can spend less time researching and more time nurturing some beautiful grass. Ahead, horticulture extension specialists answer the question and provide insights on how much you should be watering new grass seed and how often; plus, they provide some best practices when it comes to watering new grass seed.

How Much To Water New Grass Seed

How much you should water your new grass seed varies depending on the grass’s growth stage. It is essential that the seedbed does not dry out during the germination period, which can be avoided by watering its top inch, explains Aaron Steil, a consumer horticulture extension specialist at Iowa State University.

As your new grass seed grows, you must provide more water during each irrigation session. You will know when it’s time for another irrigation session based on the moisture level, how much time has passed, the length of the grass, and how often it has been mowed. To make things easier, you can note the last time you watered your grass seed (or grass) and how long it has been since you sowed your grass seed on a calendar or note-taking application and go from there (we cover more about the timeline in the next section).

“The main concept is water deeply and not frequently— you want the roots to grow deeper into the soil and not remain at the surface as the roots go where the water goes,” explains Linda Langelo, a horticulture area extension specialist at Colorado State University. If you do not provide an adequate amount of water to your new grass seed, you risk the seedlings dying.

How much to water new grass seed can also depend on the type of watering tool used. If you’re watering a newly seeded area, Steil recommends using an overhead sprinkler, whereas spot sprinklers can be used for smaller seeding jobs and impact sprinklers for larger ones. With this in mind, Langelo adds that setting an automatic sprinkler for five minutes should be enough time to properly water your new grass seed during the beginning stages.

How Often To Water New Grass Seed?

According to Langelo, new grass seed should generally be watered two or three times daily during the beginning stages.

As your new grass seed germinates (typically within two to three weeks), the frequency with which you need to water the new grass seed will decrease from every day to every two or three days to twice a week to ultimately once per week, says Steil. He adds that you ideally should start by watering the seedbed multiple times per day for the first couple weeks until the grass has reached about two inches as this marks the time when you can start transitioning to a couple of times per week, and then ultimately once per week after your new grass has been mowed a couple of times.

Nonetheless, the weather influences the frequency, as warmer weather dries out the grass seed more quickly. “The warmer the weather, the quicker the grass seed will dry out and the more often you may need to water before the seed sends roots into the soil,” explains Langelo. “So, if the temperature is in the 80s, you might need to water four times a day as opposed to two or three.”

When To Stop Watering New Grass Seed

After initially planting your new grass seed, you’ll know when it is time to stop watering it if you notice any water runoff. Although it will always require moisture, you can stop watering your new grass seed as much as time progresses and your grass grows.

FAQ

Will fertilizer negatively or positively affect new grass seed?

Fertilizer can positively affect new grass seed when applied (if needed) after germination. If you find that your grass seed needs fertilizer, Langelo recommends waiting between six and eight weeks. “Remember, all the nutrients start out in the embryo of the grass seed. More fertilizer does not mean better growth; rather, proper sun exposure and watering benefit the seed initially,” Langelo says. That said, fertilizer may not always be needed and can be determined by completing a soil test.

When should you first mow new grass seed?

Langelo and Steil agree that you should first mow new grass seed once it is three inches. You don’t want it to get too long, as that can potentially cause issues while mowing. Langelo adds that it is generally a best practice to engage in your first mowing after four weeks and trim the grass down to about two inches. “Use a walk-behind push mower for the first mow, if possible,” advises Amanda Folck, an assistant extension educator of turfgrass management at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.”Be steady on the first mow to prevent any immediate turns on the new grass area.”

About the Experts

• Amanda Folck has served as the assistant extension educator of turfgrass management at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln since 2023. She is also a university faculty member within the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture.
• Aaron Steil is a consumer horticulture extension specialist at Iowa State University with more than 15 years of industry experience. Before his current role he was an assistant teaching professor and assistant director of the on-campus Reiman Gardens.
• Linda Langelo is a horticulture area extension specialist at Colorado State University. Before her role at the university, she served as the grounds supervisor at Turning Stone Casino and Resort and was in charge of ensuring that reseeding processes were properly carried out (which included overlooking the seed coverage within 30 days of watering). With more than 30 years of industry experience, she is a long-time member of Garden Communicators International and the American Public Garden Association.

Sources

• Iastate.edu: “Watering Home Lawns“

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