What is the Best Time to Water Grass Seed?

Last Updated on August 9, 2021 by woodcutter

Are you thinking of having a green environmental sensation in your yard? A lawn can make your yard that beautiful. There is nothing more satisfying than waking up to a brilliant green of a healthy yard. Have you planted some grass seed for your lawn?

The seed should be natured like any other seeds. It is not as easy as many might think. For the grass to grow into the beautiful lawn you want, you should put extra attention to the seed. How often do you water grass seed? New grass seed needs a great deal of water to prevent it from drying out. To avoid dehydration, what is the best time to water grass seed?

This article has some tips on how often to water new grass seed. But you wouldn’t want to overhydrate or swamp the seed. As such, you would want some advice on how long to water grass seed, which is also included.

Choosing When to Plant Your Grass Seed

Before planting your grass seed, you need to decide on when to plant your seed. The type of grass you are considering to grow helps you to know when to plant it.

There are two types of grasses. Springtime grasses are seeded in the spring when there are mild temperature and high rainfall. You don’t have to water your seed frequently when you plant in spring. So your water bill will be less. But one disadvantage of choosing to plant in this season is that your seed will be competing with weeds. Zoysia grass, Centipede grass, Buffalo grass, and Bahia grass are some examples of warm-season grass you can choose from.

On the other hand, you can plant winter grasses when there are cold temperatures. Winter has less rainfall than summer. So, when you plant your grass seed in this season, frequent watering will make it survive. Cool-season grasses include Fine Fescue, Perennial Ryegrass, and Tall Fescue. However, they also need warm turf to germinate.

Before Planting the Seed

Watering starts from as early as 1-3 days before seeding—water the whole seeding area about 6-8 inches deep each day. To measure the level of water penetration, insert a 12-inch screwdriver. If it goes down with any difficulty, you have adequate water saturation. The seeding area should be kept moist. Also, keep in mind that if the seed is left to dry, it will die. So it is very crucial to know the best time of day to water new grass seed.

After Planting the Seed

After seeding, the seed needs water to germinate properly. Dry soil makes the germination process very difficult. So to check if the soil is moist or dry, feel it. Note that seeds sprout at different times. Make sure you keep 2 inches of it moist to keep the surface wet. Water the seed when there is a need to. Avoid making a pool of water on top of the soil.

Maintaining the Seed

With time, the seed grows roots and would need regular watering. Also, keep checking the soil and lightly water it to prevent dryness. Ensure each part of the lawn receives water, especially the out of the sunny ones. Maintenance is done for at least a month before the grass is fully established.

Best Time to Water Grass Seed

The time of the day you should water your seed is essential. Generally, the best times to water your grass is in the mornings. That is between 4:00 AM and 10:00 AM. During these times, there is less wind to blow the rain and low heat to evaporate it. Watering during this time allows the lawn to dry during the day. Letting the lawn dry minimizes diseases.

If you are busy to water it in the morning, use the late afternoon. However, avoid watering during the night. Evaporation is way better than no evaporation at all. This increases the chances of your lawn getting diseases. Many fungal and bacterial infections harmful to your lawn thrive in wet foliage. With no sun to burn some of the water, it becomes too much. The roots can decay, giving you more problems.

How Often to Water New Grass Seed?

The amount of rainfall in your area determines how much you will need to water your seed. If you live in a region with less rain, water it once or twice daily for the first three weeks. This is before germination. Your seed should begin to germinate between two weeks to three weeks after seeding.

If you are in a coastal region, monitor how much and how often. At most, 2 inches of the soil should have water per week. Remember, the new seed will only grow if the ground has ideal conditions. The grass needs to develop resilient roots. Deeper roots take in the moisture from deep down the soil, so they keep your lawn healthy.

After germination, you can schedule watering it. You can adopt a once-a-day watering schedule. You should water just enough. Over-watering can be as bad as under-watering. Many are not aware of this fact. Also recall, feeling the soil gives you the accurate picture of the moist in the ground.

Factors to Consider When Watering

As much as you know when to water and how often to water your seed, there are factors to consider. Factors are included for best time of day to water new grass seed.:

• Soil type. Sand doesn’t keep as much water as clay soil. Thus, if you plant in sandy soil, water it more frequently to keep it moist.
• The season you have planted your seed. You might consider increasing your watering frequency if you have seeded during summer. Cold seasons don’t require as much water as summer ones.
• Daily weather. You should consider how sunny, how windy, or how cold it is on the day. Wind and sun evaporate the water quickly so you would want to water more frequently.
• The gradient of the bed. The slope of the lawn determines how frequent you should run your water cycles.
• Different water levels depend on the different types of lawns. Some lawn requires you to water it many times because of its drought-resistant nature.
• Surrounding buildings and trees can provide shade to the lawn, which would mean less water for it.

How Long to Water Grass Seed

The amount of time you spend watering your grass seed determines the amount of your water you give it. First, determine how much water your sprinkler supplies. This helps you to plan for your watering schedule properly. Another more natural way is to watch your soil and use the screw technique I mentioned earlier. If the screwdriver can penetrate after say 30 minutes of watering, then you should water your lawn for 30 minutes. Note that you should also look at the factors above to determine the time you take to the water.

How to Know When to Water Your Lawn?

Put your feet on the lawn if it fails to spring back. If footprints remain in the lawn for more than an hour, then that means it is due for watering. Bouncing back tells you that it is saturated. Also, curly leaves say the grass is becoming dehydrated. Another essential sign to note is a change in color. Water your lawn if it starts to lose its green color.

Essential Points to Note for Best Time to Water Grass Seed

How often do you water your grass seed? If it’s more frequent, these are the points you should put in mind. These help you make sure your seed is healthy.

• Check the weather when planting your grass seed.

Avoid heat-spells when planting, and when there is no choice, be vigilant in applying water frequently to avoid drying out.

• Seed movement on a sloping ground.

You may find it required to cut the watering time. Mulching the seed can avoid seed movement and also reduce evaporation. Cover your grass seed with mulch before watering it.

• If you don’t frequently adjust or move your sprinklers, uneven watering may result.

This has a problem with uneven grass growth. Some soils, especially adobe soil, take time to dry out. Over-watering these types of soils leaves the ground soggy and spongy. Remember, too much moisture is terrible for your grass, as I highlighted earlier.

• If you notice moss or algae growths

Especially in shady areas, this indicates that too much moisture is present. This is when you reduce the frequency of watering and also consider lessening the time.

• Choose a sprinkler that distributes water evenly.

Uneven sprinklers cause wet patches. Research before you go and buy a sprinkler. If you are not sure about which sprinkler to use, ask a professional. I’m sure those stores which sell watering equipment have professionals to assist you. Oscillating sprinklers are considered appropriate for watering your new grass seed, especially in areas where run-offs are a concern.

To Sum Up

Growing your lawn to a healthy, green one is not easy. It requires you to put more concern about to water new grass seed. Constantly check the moist of your soil because that is what assures you of a healthy lawn. The secret is on monitoring the amount of water, choosing best time of day to water new grass seed and when you water your grass.