After planting a new lawn, watering it is very important to its success. Grass seeds require moistened soil to germinate, and the soil must remain moist throughout this delicate stage of the lawn's beginnings and development. Keep in mind that too little water may prevent the seeds from germinating and growing into new grass, while too much water can drown out the seeds before they have a chance to grow into a luscious lawn.
For Bare Soils
Keep the soil of newly seeded areas dark and moistened with water, but the areas do not have to be watered deeply yet, since the new seeds have yet to develop roots. It is important to protect a newly seeded area that is not planted in existing grass. Watering gently and avoiding movement across the area will prevent the rootless, developing lawn from soil erosion and damage.
When watering a newly seeded lawn, moisten the soil down to 2 inches deep, but do not overwater. The moistened soil will create an ideal environment for the new grass seeds to sprout into seedlings, and it will support the development of its roots. According to Purdue University, once the new grass grows to 2 inches tall, this is the time to moisten the soil to more than 2 inches deep to encourage a healthy rooting system.
At first, a new lawn may need to be watered up to four times a day, but this frequency can be gradually reduced to one time a day, and then to two times a week as the lawn's roots develop. According to Purdue University, after a few mowings during the growing season, the new grass may be watered even less frequently, but requires deep watering to support the grass's roots.
When to Water
Amongst the concerns with watering a newly seeded lawn is when to water. The most ideal time to water the lawn is pre- or post-dawn, when the sun is not too high; this allows the lawn to receive its nutrition from the roots and from its leaves through photosynthesis for the greater part of the day. Water the lawn alternatively in the afternoon, after the sun's peak hours, when morning waterings are not convenient.
The worst time to water the lawn is at night, when the sun is not able to dry off the surface area. Wet seeds, seedlings or new grass may be susceptible to fungus, other diseases or pests.
Developing a new lawn from seed takes consistent care and monitoring to yield a thick, green lawn. Prior to planting and watering your grass seeds, make sure your soil has the right pH balance and adequate nutritive properties to maximize the effects of adequate watering and to support the development of a new lawn.