Watering Your New Lawn

 

We expect 80% - 90% seed germination after a new lawn installation. We do expect some thin spots. All new lawns need additional care during the first year of establishment. We will make one return visit to apply more seed and starter fertilizer 3-4 weeks after the initial seeding is completed. New lawns take some time and patience. Here are some of the things you can expect:

• The seed itself can take anywhere from 7 days to 2 or 3 weeks to germinate, depending on seed type and weather conditions.

• Having some weeds germinate along with the grass is to be expected, especially during a spring seeding or if new topsoil is brought in or if the existing soil is disturbed. Some of these germinated weeds will disappear with the first mowing. Others will remain along with the new grass.

• It is important not to apply any weed control products until the new lawn has been mowed 3 or 4 times and is mature enough to not be damaged by a weed control application.

• Weed problems are greatly reduced with late summer or early fall lawn installations.

• A new lawn needs a lot of water.

• Watering is the responsibility of the property owner.

• The seedbed should be kept moist to ensure good germination. At the outset this probably means watering every day.

• After the seed has germinated you can back off to watering two or three times a week.

• We recommend the use of an oscillating sprinkler, as it is difficult to apply enough water by hand. You probably need to leave the sprinkler on for a half hour to an hour per location. The watering should be gentle and stop before puddling occurs.

• We suggest a new lawn receive a minimum of 1 inch of water per sprinkler location per week. During hot and dry periods more may be necessary.

• We do not recommend watering after sundown; this can promote fungus growth on new seedlings.