What Grass Varieties Need The Least Water
Grass seeds all require roughly the same amount of water until they grow to about two inches tall. Once theyre tall enough, you can switch to an adult grass watering schedule. Fully grown grass only needs an inch or two of water each week, meaning it takes less water than seeds. There are two approaches you can take from here. Grass that germinates quickly will require less water since it will spend less time as moisture-loving seeds. You can also look for grasses that are more drought tolerant, since these will use less water over the course of their lifespan.
Some of the quickest growing grasses are ryegrasses and tall fescue, while drought tolerant grasses include fescues, buffalo grass, bermuda grass, and St. Augustine grass. The overlap between these two lists, tall fescue, is likely your best bet for overall water conservation.
Create A Fertilization Calendar
If you are an organized person, a plant or seed fertilization calendar will be perfect for you. Remember that fertilizing your lawn will depend on the different seasons, plants, seeds, and other factors. So, create the calendar and establish the month and the day you are planning to seed. After that, compare the seeding days, and look for the best fertilization days.
The calendar could include all the checks you are supposed to follow over the weeks. This is not vital, but it could be helpful!
How Long To Water New Grass Seed
How long to water new grass seed depends on your soil conditions and your sprinkler setup. In general, ten minutes of watering per session will provide enough water to keep the top couple inches of soil moist.
As your new grass seed grows and flourishes, you can water deeper and less frequently this will encourage established grass roots to extend deeply into the soil. When watering grass seedlings, gradually increase your morning watering sessions over time, while decreasing your evening watering. Eventually, youll want to water between 6 and 10 am, while the weather is still cool. An established lawn typically requires about 1 inch of water per week, including rainfall.
Use the chart below to help you plan out your ideal watering schedule:
Don’t Miss: How To Keep Grass Green In Summer
When You Should Sow Grass Seed
You can sow Lawn UK lawn seed mixtures at any time from late March to mid-October providing that in periods of unusually dry weather the seedbed is kept constantly moist until the grass is about 6cm high. Always water with a fine spray to great a force of water will displace the seeds. It is also worth noting, that there needs to be adequate warmth in the soil, 6-8 degrees Celsius is required for germination, and this is usually when the air temperature is above 10 degrees Celsius.
If during periods of drought, and there is no hosepipe ban, you may decide to water the area. You must ensure the ground is thoroughly soaked and watering must be done on a regular basis until the grass has become established. Occasional light watering wont be beneficial, this will do more harm than good.
When is the best time to sow the seed?
This depends on you. If you want to sow in the Spring, you can sow any time from late March onwards. However, if you are patient, there is much to recommend waiting until September before you sow. Firstly, any weed seeds lying on or near the surface of the seedbed will be given a chance to germinate and can be removed. Secondly, English summers may produce hot, dry spells and if your new lawn is sown in the spring, constant watering may well be necessary to get growth started and to avoid the tender young seedlings from being scorched and killed off.
A few notes on weeds
What Time Of Day Is The Best Time To Water Grass Seed & Seedlings
The time of day in which you water daffodils is not usually important, but the time of day that you water grass seed is critical.
You do not want the water to evaporate, so the best time to water grass seed is in the morning when the sun is out but the wind hasnt picked up yet.
Watering in the morning will cut down on evaporation and water waste, allowing the turf to absorb the water and nourish the seeds.
If you cant water your seedlings in the morning because of your schedule, late afternoon , is the second best option.
Should You Use a Timer For Your Sprinklers?
Many people choose to have a sprinkler system on a timer to avoid taking time out of their busy lives. If you do, I recommend getting a timer with more than one outlet, so you can still have a hose to water your garden or lawn manually.
If you have a large area to cover then consider a large oscillating sprinkler as well or multiple units placed around the area for improved coverage.
For a small area you can use a spot sprinkler. This is also important so the entire grass area receives the same amount of water and grows in evenly.
It will be about 3-28 days for new grass to germinate and become seedlings depending upon your weather and the variety of grass seed youve put down.
Once your lawn has sprouted and you can wholeheartedly consider your baby seeds grown up seedlings, you should have a new watering plan.
How to Water Grass Seedlings Effectively
You May Like: Peat Moss New Grass Seed
Always Apply Fertilizer In The Growing Season
Other than that most of your fertilizing should ideally take place during the growing season.
In other words, you will need to fertilize your lawn more frequently during late spring and early summer than during the late summer and early fall/autumn. And you should avoid fertilizing the grass altogether in the winter.
This is because the grass is more active in some seasons than others, and when the rate of grass growth is at its fastest, it will need that bit more supply of nutrients to help it to flourish.
Are There Any Types Of Grass That Dont Require Watering
There are no types of grass that can survive without water, period. However, there are low-water grasses that are ideal for areas that have little rainfall and drought restrictions in place. To find them, its best to search for low-water grasses online, since they are often considered to be a specialty product.
If you love the idea of having a well-groomed front lawn but dont feel like you need grass, you should consider getting succulents or having a rock garden instead. Many homes in the Southwest have grass-free lawns, and they look great. Its all about getting
Don’t Miss: Diy Hydroseeding Home Depot
What Is The Best Way To Water New Grass Seed
For lawn irrigation, a simple lawn sprinkler works best. You can invest in a sprinkler system if your lawn will need to be watered regularly throughout the year. However, if you dont have a normal irrigation schedule, only watering when establishing new grass seed, a cheap lawn sprinkler will work just as well!
There is a lot to consider when youre planting new grass seed or sod! Use this as your guide when lawn planting to make sure your new grass gets the healthiest start possible.
How Often Should You Water Your Lawn
If youre a new homeowner or have never seeded before, it can a bit intimidating hearing that you MUST keep your seed watered. So, we asked Irrigation Professional, Joey Coble, how often we should be watering our lawns, New seed needs to be watered 3 times a day for the first 3 weeks. This keeps your seeds damp but not submerged. After the 3-week time frame, back it off slowly to once a day. Seed should begin to show between 14 to 21 days after its planted.
Read Also: Corn Speedwell Edible
Seed And Feed On The Same Day
Which goes on first, the seed or the lawn food? It’s up to you. Either way, use a drop or rotary spreader. Just follow the settings on the packages. You want to feed on the same day with Scotts® Starter® Lawn Food for New Grass to give your new grass seedlings a head start.
Cover Up
After the seeds and Starter® lawn food are laid down, cover the seeds with a thin layer of Scotts® Turf Builder® Lawn Soil. You can do this by gently dragging the back of a leaf rake over your seeded area. On hills, mulch with a thin layer of straw to keep seeds from washing away. Make sure you can plainly see the seedbed beneath the straw. You can also mulch with straw on the rest of your new lawn to help cut back on water use.
Keep on watering
After all your efforts, you don’t want your grass seed to dry out. Make sure the top inch of soil in your new lawn stays moist. You may need to lightly water two or three times a day. Keep at it until your seedlings are well-established. Once your new lawn has reached a mowing height, you can reduce the frequency and start watering thoroughly once or twice a week.
Maintenance
Great, your new lawn is growing vigorously. Now you have to cut it. Make sure you only mow the top third of the grass blades. Adjust your mower to high setting to keep the lawn nice and thick. When you cut it too short, weeds can sneak in.
How To Water Grass Seed During A Drought
If your area is in the midst of a water advisory, then using fresh water on your lawn isnt the best idea. Luckily, there are some great options to keep your lawn growing without contributing to water shortages. Rain barrels are one such option. While you wont be collecting any rain during a drought, if you set them out well in advance you can collect water throughout the year and be prepared if a water shortage ever occurs.
If you dont have rain barrels, though, or if you use all the water in them before the end of the drought, you can reuse water. Water thats been used for cooking, especially water that has been boiled, is great for watering your lawn. Just dont use it while its still hot. Water that was used for cleaning or bathing is a potential option, but it depends on what soaps or cleaning liquids may have been added to it. If you arent sure if the soaps you used are OK to put into the soil, its best not to use it on your lawn.
Whether youre growing an entirely new lawn from scratch or just looking to fill in a few patches, you have everything you need for a successful seeding. Be careful not to wash them away, and remember that your soil should be moist but not muddy. Choose a faster growing grass variety if youre looking to use less water, and you can always reuse water that hasnt been contaminated with chemicals to water your grass during a drought. By following these simple steps, anyone can grow a healthy, luscious lawn thatll be sure to impress.
Recommended Reading: Lawn Roller Rental Lowes
When You Should Reseed Your Lawn
Geography determines the best time to reseed your lawn. Heres why fall is the best time for reseeding lawn in the North:
- For starters, thats when grass normally matures its own crop of seeds, if left to its own devices
- An ideal time would be at least 45 days before the first average fall frost date
- Unlike spring, the soil is already warmed up, encouraging germination.
These are the complete how-to instructions for how to reseed your lawn.
How Should You Water Your Lawn
Gentle waterings using a garden hose can always work, but what most people prefer to do is use a sprinkler system. A sprinkler system, like this , will help you get an even coverage throughout your yard. You can even get a timer for it so that you dont have to go outside while it gets watered.
Of course, if you choose to go the sprinkler route, you also need to be aware of its upkeep. During the colder months, you might need to winterize your sprinklers to prevent damage to your system. Aside from that, you should be good to go in terms of watering.
Don’t Miss: Murray Push Mower Parts List
Can You Aerate Your Lawn Too Much
If you walk on your soil and it feels rock solid and is looking thin or patchy, these are signs that it could probably use aeration.
But if your grass is healthy and thriving and hasnt been impacted by a lot of equipment or foot traffic, it likely doesnt need aeration.
Once annually is usually enough in most cases, and for healthy lawns that receive regular maintenance and are performing well, every two to three years may be sufficient.
So Which Grass Seed Should You Choose
Grass seed generally comes in four categories
I recently wrote a whole grass seed buyers guide. It takes the guesswork out of which grass seed to buy because I tell you which is the best for each circumstance.
It tells you, if your lawn sits under a lot of shade, choose this grass seed. If you want a good looking lawn thatll cope with the kids playing on it, choose this one.
Also Check: How Much Lime Do I Need For My Lawn
Reasons To Aerate Your Lawn
Core aeration is when you use a machine which looks similar to a walk behind mower called an aerator. It is used to go over the lawn and pull small soil cores or plugs. Those cores are then deposited on top of the lawn. These cores begin to decompose over the next week or so depending on rainfall. This breakdown of soil redeposits rich organic matter back into your lawns soil.
While this process seems simple, it adds tons of benefits to your turf.
First of all, its important to understand what lawns need to thrive. Lawn roots require oxygen, water, and nutrients for good growth. As a result of foot traffic and normal, everyday activity, your lawn soil can become compacted, which restricts oxygen, water, and nutrients from getting to roots.
Core aeration breaks up this compacted soil, allowing those three elements to continue nourishing your lawn roots again. Healthy soil is a big part of growing a great lawn. Aeration also assists in deeper turfgrass root establishment.
Overseeding at this time is usually a great idea as well. For ideal seed germination, you need maximum seed to soil contact. When you aerate, you naturally create these pockets which allows for optimum seed to soil contact, boosting your seed germination results. This can help thicken up a thin or bare lawn, crowd out weeds, and create a healthier overall stand of turfgrass.
What Is The Ideal Watering Schedule
If it hasnt rained, water your grass every day once in the morning and once early in the afternoon after the hottest part of the day has passed, but before sunset. Having wet soil overnight can lead to fungal infections, so give your soil plenty of time to dry out before it gets dark. Avoid watering your grass seeds directly before or after a storm, as this leads to overwatering.
You May Like: Best Way To Kill Wild Violets In Lawn
Water Deeply But Not Too Often
- Too much watering can lead to poor growing conditions and disease problems.
- Water only when your lawn needs it, usually no more than once a week when there is no rainfall.
- Apply at least 2.5 cm of water. Put a tuna or pet food can on your lawn to measure how much you’ve watered. Stop watering when it’s full.
- Consider the soil type and surface features. Grass growing on compacted, fine soil or on slopes needs lighter, more frequent watering.
Can You Overfeed A Lawn
Unfortunately it is possible to overfeed a lawn with fertilizer.
If you apply too much fertilizer, a significant amount could leach through the soil and make its way into precious groundwater, and cause environmental pollution through the phosphorus in the fertilizer.
Moreover, if you were to overfeed grass with fertilizer, the grass could start to take on a strange bluey green color, and the leaves of grass will grow only at the expense of the roots underneath. This is not good. It means that you will have to water your lawn more frequently.
Or you could get lawn burn, where brown or yellow patches of grass will appear on your lawn in the areas that have had too much nitrogen. The excess nitrogen effectively kills off the grass, and you will have to reseed.
If in any doubt about how often to feed your lawn to avoid under-or overfeeding, simply refer to our instructions earlier in the article.
Also Check: Ant Killer For Grass
When To Fertilize New Grass
When learning how to plant grass seed, many people think you should add fertilizer at planting time. This is not a good practice however, because fertilizers can burn tender young grass roots. Instead, top-dress the lawn with compost or use an organic granular lawn fertilizer instead of a synthetic brand. You can start to fertilize new lawns after youve mowed the grass 6 times.
Now that you know how to plant grass seed, its easy to see how doing it right can make all the difference. Follow the steps outlined above and youll have a healthy, thriving lawn instead of one thats struggling.
For more on growing a beautiful landscape, please visit the following articles:
