How long and often do you need to water new grass seed?

You’ve taken the time to test and amend your soil, prepare the ground and then carefully sown your new grass seed, but the question is then how much water should you be providing to give your new lawn the best chance of establishing?

Knowing how often should grass seed be watered until it germinates can be challenging – especially in our varied British climate

In this guide we look at why watering is important, the key stages of germination, how long to water your grass and, crucially, when you should stop watering. This information will help to ensure you can create a lush, healthy and, above all, long-lasting lawn that you can enjoy for years to come.

Why is watering key to successfully growing grass from seed?

The regular watering of new grass seed is critical as it triggers the germination process. By applying the right amount of water, you kick-off a biological process that will cause the seed to swell and then pop out of the seed shell, allowing it to sprout and start putting roots down in the soil, establishing a robust new plant.

This process requires the soil to remain moist throughout and a frequent watering schedule is key to maintaining the proper levels of moisture for healthy growth.

How often should grass seed be watered until it germinates?

You should water the ground immediately after sowing to help the seeds settle into the soil. This initial watering should be thorough, but gentle, to prevent the seeds from washing away or creating bare spots.

In the early stages after sowing, you should then ideally be watering the lawn at least twice a day. Water the lawn in the morning and then again in the early evening.

If the weather is hot, you will need to water seeds three times day and, similarly, if the area you’ve sown the seed is naturally damp, you can scale back on the watering schedule.

Each watering session should provide enough moisture to keep the top inch of soil consistently damp but not waterlogged. This usually means watering for about 5 to 10 minutes, but this can vary depending on how you are applying the water.

Do not allow areas of standing water to build up as this could lead to the seeds rotting.

Ideally use a fine mist or gentle spray option with a hose or use a sprinkler as this will help you to avoid disturbing the seeds.

How long to water new grass seed after germination?

Germination typically takes between a week and 21 days, depending on the grass species and the conditions. Once the seed has germinated you will see the fine green shoots of the grass emerging from the soil and, when you see an even distribution of these shoots across the lawn, you can begin to slowly reduce the watering schedule.

At this stage, you need to shift to deeper, less frequent watering schedules as this will allow the water to penetrate deeper into the soil, encouraging healthy root growth.

When to stop watering new grass seed

As the grass seed becomes established, the plant grows in strength and becomes much hardier. This means water schedules can be reduced further but you can’t stop watering altogether at this stage.

You will still need to maintain a reasonable level of soil moisture and that will depend on the weather conditions. If you are getting regular rainfall, you may not need to water the lawn at all. However, a dry spell will quickly dry out the soil and you should continue with a deep watering schedule that will penetrate into the roots of the grass.

Can grass seed get too much water?

Overwatering can be fatal to a lawn, especially when you’ve just applied grass seed. Waterlogged lawns will suffocate the grass seed, preventing it from growing and, if left to stand in puddles, the seeds will rot.

Similarly, overwatered lawns can cause seeds to wash away or be disturbed which will result in bare patches as the grass establishes.

Too much water can also have the opposite desired effect and cause shallow root growth in the grass. This will result in your grass being weak and unhealthy and it will struggle to recover from foot traffic or mowing.

The key is to ensure your soil is just moist and not drenched. A simple test is too stand on the soil and, if your foot sinks just a little, you have a good level of moisture.

Watering methods – how to keep grass seed moist

For most people, a hose pipe with a simple attachment that enables you to create a spray, is a quick and effective way to water grass seed and keep the soil moist.

However, this can be time consuming and difficult to ensure you are creating an even spread of water, particularly over large lawns. If you are not effectively watering every part of the lawn, some areas will quickly dry out and this will impact grass growth creating patchy lawns.

The most effective way to water new grass seed is to invest in a sprinkler system. These are highly efficient ways to ensure you get an even covering of water over the whole lawn and can also be left alone during watering, freeing up your time to enjoy the rest of your garden.

Conclusion

While there are pitfalls for gardeners who are looking to create a new lawn, grass seed is a robust and vigorous plant that is relatively simple to establish.

With some simple preparation and frequent waterings, you can quickly create a vibrant, lush and healthy lawn that will last for years to come.

By simply applying a regular waterings and avoiding creating puddles, you can be sure your grass seed will germinate.

We have a wide range of grass seeds available to suit any lawn and can provide the advice and equipment you need to create your perfect green space. Get in touch if you need any more information.