How to Water Grass Seed
To get a full understanding of why this watering method is so important please read All about Grass Seed Germination if you haven’t already done so.
Check for Good Moisture in the Soil
Once the ground is prepared check there is plenty of moisture in the ground. It should be moist down to at least 10cms. You can check this by opening up a small hole and checking the soil is the same dark colour all the way down and has a stickiness to it which water imparts. Your hands should get dirty easily. You don’t want boggy or saturated!
If you are going to be using a polythene covering to protect your seed, then follow the pre-seeding watering step then only start watering again when you remove the cover. This will be at 1” to 2” (2.5-5cms).
Pre-Seeding Watering
If you’re not happy it is moist enough start watering the prepared ground for several days. You want it wet but not muddy. Now let the surface dry for half a day so that you can walk on it without the soil sticking to your shoes. Wear smooth soled shoes to reduce disturbance of the soil surface.
The Day of Sowing your Grass Seed
Get your seed into the ground and immediately give it its first shower. As in the top image a fine spray pointed upwards showers the grass like light rain. You don’t want a heavy jet of water or too much water that starts moving the seed around. A light shower to wet the surface is all that is needed.
Watering before Germination
You absolutely must not let the seed dry out, so depending on the weather you may not need to water at all but if you hit a warm dry spell you could be watering every couple of hours!
Once again, any watering should be like a light shower to wet the surface. Stop when pooling starts.
Grass Seed Germination
At this point the grass seed has sent down root shoots and if it doesn’t get moisture at this stage it will shrivel and die and you have to start again. Keep watering as in the previous step until you see a green sheen across the spoil surface.
Green Grass Shoots Watering
Give yourself a pat on the back, your seed is now out of intensive care. Be aware though that not all of your seed will have germinated so frequent watering is still required but now your soil will start to stabilise with the new seedlings so you can water a little more heavily and less frequently.
Grass Seedlings 2-3cm
This will happen very quickly particularly if you were wise enough to use a pre-seeding fertiliser. If you’re over seeding, a seasonal fertiliser would be more appropriate and is best applied now or in the next week.
Continue to water daily and a little more deeply.
Grass Seedlings 5-8cm
Time to give the lawn its first cut. Do not water before hand and let the lawn dry a little. Mow in the afternoon on a dry day, with a high setting and sharp clean mower blades. Mow slowly, no racing or sharp turns; everything is still soft and tender. Give the lawn a good watering afterwards and continue watering every other day until the next cut.
You now have a New Lawn
Water the lawn at least once a week for a few weeks and more often if the weather is dry. The lawn will now thicken with regular mowing which should still be every week. Keeping the mower on a high cut through the first summer will help the roots get deep into the soil and thus reduce the amount of watering.
See Mowing the Lawn and also Watering the Lawn
Products to Get your New Lawn Seedlings Growing Fast
More Grass Seeding Techniques and Problems
-
![How to Plant Grass Seed for Guaranteed Success]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsA step by step guide on how to prepare the ground, sow your grass seed, protect and nurture it to create a brilliant lawn in a matter of weeks.
-
![All about Grass Seed Germination]()
Planting and growing a lawn from grass seed requires warmth, moisture and air to ensure success. Learn what's needed for a great lawn in quick order.
-
![Seed vs Turf]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsTemperature and moisture are the two main factors when it comes to planting and germinating grass seed whether that's for a new lawn or when over seeding.
-
![When to Feed New Grass]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsFor convenience you can fertilise the seeded lawn area on the day of sowing however, due to changing weather patterns this may not always be best.
-
![Why Grass Seed doesn’t Grow!]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsGrass seed is easy to germinate and grow into a lawn if you get the planting, moisture and temperature right. Here are some very common grass seed sowing mistakes.
-
![Stop Birds Eating my Grass Seed]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsWhether you're planting grass seed for a new lawn or just seeding a few patches birds can be a problem so here are some ways to stop birds eating your seed
-
![The No 1 Best Way to Protect Grass Seed]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsCovering your precious newly planted grass seed with polythene sheeting is not only an effective protection from birds but also drying winds and torrential downpours. Very cheap, easy to lay and speeds germination.
-
![How Long Will Grass Seed Keep For?]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsIn general grass seed will keep for up to 5 years if fresh to begin with. The biggest influence on germination is how well it is stored not the age.
-
![Is my Grass Seed Dead?]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsA simple test for viability. This test can be performed on grass seed that has been sown or is yet to be sown. Ideal for checking if old seed will germinate.
-
![I've got Weeds in my Lawn after Seeding]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsWeeds in newly seeded soil is normal. Digging, scarifying or new soil wakes dormant seeds. Most will disappear with the first cut but some require weed killer.
-
![When can I Start Mowing my New Grass?]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsCare must be taken when cutting a new lawn for the first time as the grass is tender and the roots are shallow. Sharp mower blades and dry grass are essential.
-
![When can I Walk on my New Lawn?]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsThe best way to decide is not by time but by the condition of the grass. Grass seed or turf laid in perfect conditions in April in Cornwall will establish twice as quickly as that sown in Aberdeen.
-
![Winter Lawn Damage]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsDuring winter several things can go wrong with your lawn from grass thinning a little, complete loss of grass in some areas to an invasion of moss and strange coloured patches in the lawn.
-
![Grass Seed for Dry Areas]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsSandy or poor soils and the drier east of the country are presented with a challenge when it comes to lawn care. Choosing drought tolerant grasses will help.
-
![Grass Seed for Clay Soil]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsWhen dealing with clay soil, it's important to choose grass seed varieties that are well-suited to these conditions. Here are a few grass seed options that tend to perform well in clay soils.
-
![What Lawn Seed for Shaded Areas]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsChoosing grass seed for wet shade, building and fence shade, dry shade from trees and partial shade from objects distant from the lawn
-
![Grass Seed for Under Trees - Dry Shade]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsThis is a dry place where trees or other plants out compete the grass for ground water and may also prevent showers reaching the lawn.
-
![Grass Seed for Heavy Shade or Wet Shade]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsAreas of lawn where little light gets to the grass for long periods usually from autumn through to spring.
-
![Slow Growing Grass for Lawns]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsFor slow-growing grass varieties suitable for UK lawns you can consider the following options though there are considerable downsides!
-
![Should I let my Lawn go to Seed?]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsLetting your lawn go to seed is a personal decision that depends on your preferences and goals for your grass. Nature vs nurture!
-
![Can I mix Grass Seeds Together?]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsLawn seed will already be a mixture of a variety of grass species. Mixing two together before sowing just halves the benefits and doesn't increase them.
-
![Over Seeding a Lawn]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsOver seeding with grass seeds that are different to your existing grass will change the composition of the lawn. Expect a 10 to 20% change each over seeding.
