how often to water kentucky bluegrass seed

Prepare Seed Bed

1. Minimum 4-6 inches good topsoil
2. Pick out stones
3. Work soil and rake out lumps

Spread Starter Fertilizer

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12-22-10

Spread Seed

Spread evenly at the rate indicated for the variety.

Lightly Rake

Rake seed and fertilizer into the top 14″ of top soil.

Erosion Control

• Spread CoverGrow or
• Lay down Futerra or straw blanket

Water! Water! Water!

1. Water often after sowing to keep soil wet while avoiding puddles (10-20 minutes). Depending on how hot or dry the weather is, this is usually done 2-3 times a day. Continue this regular watering for 10 to 2 weeks. (Ryegrass should be becoming green by now.)
2. After the first 10 to 2 weeks, water once or twice a day for 30-45 minutes each time. (After roughly two weeks of watering, bluegrass will begin to grow.)
3. Reduce the frequency of watering after 3 to 4 weeks, but increase the duration the sprinkler is on. (After around 2-3 months, water 1-2 times per week with 1 inch of water each week.)

After 3-5 Weeks (if spring seed)

Apply another application of starter fertilizer

Newly Seeded Lawns

Water often and gently after planting until the area is mowed once, keeping the top 1 – 2 inches of soil damp but not soggy. When it rains, adjust your watering schedule.

• Too much water will cause the seeds to rot.
• Seedlings will perish if the soil dries up during germination.

*Kentucky Bluegrasses need a minimum of four weeks of regular watering to sprout.

Watering multiple times each day for up to 30 days may be necessary to keep the seedbed wet. Watering may be required more often during warmer weather.

Deep and less frequent watering will help the roots to grow deeper into the soil, enabling the plants to become more drought tolerant as they mature.

Shallow, frequent irrigation results in plants with shallow roots and poor drought resistance.

Watering is best done early in the morning when temperatures are low, winds are light, and evaporation is at its lowest.

Established Lawns

Existing lawns need 1 inch of water each week during busy growth seasons, but during droughts, 1/2 inch of water every other week will keep the crowns hydrated and assure green-up once the autumn rains arrive.

Related Questions

• How often does Kentucky bluegrass need to be watered?

  Consider the following facts: Most lawns need 1 to 12″ of water each week, however Kentucky bluegrass requires at least 2″ per week, and often as much as 2 12″ per week during the summer.

• Can you over water Kentucky bluegrass?

  Cool-season grasses, such as perennial ryegrass and Kentucky bluegrass, need daily irrigation. Too much water inhibits healthy grass growth and leaves the lawn vulnerable to pests and illnesses.

• How much water does Kentucky bluegrass need a week?

  Kentucky bluegrass lawns need careful water management. During normal conditions, a typical KBG grass requires at least 1 inch of water per week from irrigation or rainfall. Increase KBG mowing heights to 3 to 4 inches during times of high heat and little rainfall.

• Should I water grass seed every day?

  Water new grass twice a day (or more if the weather is dry) to maintain the top two inches of soil wet at all times. Water everyday until all of the grass seeds have germinated, at which point you may start a regular watering routine.