How to Water Grass Seeds

When planting a lawn, the time immediately following seeding is the most crucial for success. Foot traffic, wind and water all affect the distribution of seeds, and must be minimized in order to have an attractive, uniformly planted lawn. The appropriate application of water is the most important factor in maintaining even seed distribution, so choosing the right sprinkler head is crucial. Light mulching also helps by minimizing wind disturbances and maintaining even soil moisture during germination.

Straw mulch
Oscillating sprinkler

Instructions

- 1
  Run straw or hay through a chipper to create mulch. Chipping the straw creates lighter mulch that will not obstruct the sunlight from the grass seed. Approximately one bale of straw is needed for every 50 square feet of lawn.
- 2
  Sprinkle the straw mulch over the newly seeded lawn. Mulching helps distribute the impact of the sprinkler water, lessening the likelihood of pooling or erosion. As the straw mulch breaks down, it releases nutrients into the soil to enrich the growing grass.
- 3
  Divide the planted area into four sections to ensure even watering. Place an oscillating sprinkler in the center of each section for 10 to 15 minutes, rotating it from section to section for one hour. Oscillating sprinklers work best for watering new grass seed because the constantly moving stream of water allows the moisture to soak in with minimal pooling.
- 4
  Repeat the watering process in the morning and evening while the grass seed germinates.

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