How Much Water Does New Grass Seed Need?
- Newly planted seeds require frequent watering to promote root growth and germination. The soil should not dry out on fresh seeds in warm wind climates. Moisten the seeds every few hours. Once the grass is established, watering may be limited to 1.5 inches per week in cooler climates and slightly more in warmer climates. Fresh sod also requires more water when initially laid. This helps protect the roots from drying out---which causes the plant to die---and allows the roots to grow into the new soil.
- Before the summer heat starts, decide if you will allow the lawn will go dormant. If you want a lush lawn for the summer, let the grass go through a mild drought for the first few warm days. This will allow the roots to grow deeper into the soil, causing the plant ultimately to require less water.
Water the lawn evenly. The use of sprinklers is the most effective way to have even distribution of water. - Grass that goes dormant during the summer requires little work if any. Simply quit watering the lawn and the grass will dry out. Not all grasses can go dormant, so make sure the type of grass planted will be able to re-grow after the summer months have passed.
