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How often should you water your lawn?
Follow our tips below on how often to water grass seed to ensure your lawn has the water it needs to sprout from the ground and grow green and healthy as quickly as possible!
How often should I water my lawn in the UK?
Your lawn needs water from the moment you put the grass seeds in the ground to help them germinate. This means you need to water your lawn every day (with plenty of water) for the first 6-8 weeks after sowing grass seed. Watering your lawn frequently—done by nature or you—will keep the soil moist so your grass grows luscious and green. If you have an existing lawn and your area is going through a dry spell (like in the summertime), then make sure you give it a good soaking at least once a week.
Our video below will get you up to speed on how to water your lawn to get it growing as best it can:
When is the best time to plant a new lawn?
The best time to plant a new lawn is in spring and autumn. These seasons give the best growing conditions since temperatures are not too hot or too cold, and it frequently rains during this time in the UK. Keep reading our advice on how often to water grass seed in spring and autumn to help you get the best out of lawn watering!
When is the best time to water grass?
Watering your new lawn in spring
It would be best to aim to water your new lawn every day for the first six weeks from planting your seeds. This six-week period is how long it takes for your grass to grow fully, and it will be ready for its first mow afterwards! You can hold off lawn watering on days when it’s forecast to rain outside.
Watering your new lawn in autumn
Since rain is much more common this time of year, you won’t need to set aside as much time to water your newly planted grass seeds. But you still need to ensure your soil is moist and doesn’t dry out. So, ensure you water your seedlings daily and water them well for the first six weeks.
How often to water grass seed on an established lawn?
Even though your lawn has fully grown, it will still need watering from time to time. This is especially important in times of drought and during the summer when temperatures are warmer and when rainfall is less common.
When to water an established lawn in spring and summer
You should water your lawn with a lot of water, but not too often in the spring and summer months. This will help your lawn’s root system to develop, and since you’re not watering every day, it encourages the root system to dig deeper into the soil.
In contrast, if you water regularly and with a smaller quantity of water, then the roots will not grow as deep, which will cause your lawn stress in drought and summer heat while also encouraging weeds to grow, and it increases the chance of grass diseases.
Tips for lawn watering grass seed this time of year:
- Give your lawn a good soaking every 7-10 days
- You want to see minor puddles appearing on top of your soil
- Water your lawn in the late evening when the sun has gone down, and it’s cooler outside
- You can instead choose to water early in the morning if you don’t plan to mow that day
- If it’s very warm outside or during a heatwave, do not water on these days as the water will quickly evaporate
Watering your established lawn in autumn and winter
Your grass will grow slower as the colder weather creeps in, and it tends to rain more frequently, so watering your lawn is unnecessary this time of year.
What is the ideal amount of water for a lawn?
Typically, around 1-2 inches of water is perfect when watering new seedlings and an established lawn most of the year! When planting new grass seed, this keeps the soil moist but not saturated in water! For an established lawn, this amount of water will keep it green, hydrated and lush.
If you realise that in the hot summer heat, your seedlings or soil appear to be dry shortly after watering or if your established lawn isn’t improving, then you will need to increase how frequently you’re watering it!
When to stop watering grass seed?
You can stop watering your lawn on days when heavy rainfall is expected; this is because nature will do all the necessary work for you. If you notice pools of water forming on your lawn, this is a sign that you're overwatering, and it's time to stop and let your grass breathe. It's best to leave it a week before watering again since you don't want to risk making your grass sick due to overwatering.
Now you know how often to water grass seed. However, please get in touch if you have any questions about growing grass seeds or wildflowers or would like advice when using lawn food in your garden, and we will be happy to help.
We have also included a few useful guides on general lawn care to help you keep your lawn in pristine condition:
