Thread: Lawn experts, I need help!

The heat in the soil will help germination of the seeds but water is also required but not so it's drenched. The water will actually help and aid the sun in heating the soil.
The top may look dry but check a few inches down where it counts. Same for when you water, sometimes it looks wet but it's only on the surface..especially after a long hot spell as a "waterproof crust" developes.
Also water is needed for fertilizer, it can be too harsh and will not activate properly without it.
If your lawn goes belly up don't blame me though..

Gary

Don't let the soil dry out for 30 days. Don't drench it, but a light watering a couple times a day is optimal when your trying to get grass seed to take.

Jeff

I'm thinking you should switch that regime. I've always been taught that you never want to let water sit on your lawn or in your lawn root systems overnight, it can cause fungus to grow in your root system.

Water heavily in the morning so it has time to soak everything up through the day. Give it a light watering in the evening if you have to but don't drench it.

-- Gary F.

I will agree with gfoster on that point. Another option is not watering
at all if its still even slightly damp.


Terry

Originally Posted by gfoster

Water heavily in the morning so it has time to soak everything up through the day. Give it a light watering in the evening if you have to but don't drench it.

-- Gary F.

Ughhhh it goes against everything I've learned about grass... From what I know you're NOT supposed to water it in the morning b/c that can lead to scorched grass. Does anyone have a take on that?

The only reason I'm doing this is b/c city bylaws demand a lawn and the patch of bare earth was looking very ugly. I'm not one of those fanatics who declare war on dandelions and install a $5000 sprinkler system. In the 8 years that I've lived in this house, I only watered the lawn twice (when we had a long hot dry spell, which was scorching all of the grass) and never fertilized it. The reason I'm being so absessive now is that I want to have this grass grow properly and not worry about it any more other than spending 45 seconds once a week, mowing it.

Firestart,

It doesn't seem that the scorched grass would be as
big a problem in the spring time. Of course I don't
really know how hot it gets in your neck of the woods
during the spring time. I can't imagine that it would get
any hter there than here where I live in West Virginia.

I would say as long as it is damp, even slightly damp
that it should be OK. And if it's damp then I wouldn't
water, just for the sake of watering.


Terry

Watering in the AM won't scorch anything. Don't make mud, just don't let it get dusty. 30 days will ensure it has plenty of time to establish some roots.

Jeff

Another thing to consider. How often during the Summer
months does it come a really hard rain in the AM and then
the sun comes out. I've seen this happen many many times.
And my grass has never been scorched, not even newly
planted grass. Just relax, the grass will be growing in
no time.


Terry

Thank you gentlemen. I'll try to maintain a comfortable level of dampness and won't mow that part of the lawn until the end of May. Ofcourse it will be kept nice and fertilized during the initial growing period, so it better take and ake well.

When it grows to the point when you think it needs mowing, then go ahead and mow it. If your mower can do it, mulch it rather than blowing it out the side or bagging for the rest of the season. The tiny clippings will help things along, both in seeding it in thicker and in helping the soil to retain moisture.

Jeff