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Sprinkler Settings After Overseeding

16 years ago

I just overseeded my lawn. The original seeding was done earlier this summer. I have a sprinkler system and have a question about how to set the system now that I have some established grass and some new seeds. I am aware that new seeds like to have the soil surface damp at all times (2-3 short waterings each day) and the established grass likes to have less-frequent, deeper waterings (i.e. once a day or every other day for longer time periods). What would be an ideal compromise following the overseeding? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Joel

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Comments (5)

dschribs
16 years ago
I got this info from this site. Hope it helps...

water 15-20 minutes twice a day for two weeks
water 20-30 minutes once a day for one week
water 30-45 minutes once a day every other day for one week
water 30-45 minutes once a day twice a week for one week
move into deep irrigation, increasing the time to provide 1 inch of water all over and decreasing the frequency to just once a week.

Starting off, the schedule supplies roughly 1/4 inch of water, then increases that amount while decreasing frequency of application at the same time. Like practically everything that concerns lawn care, this schedule is a general guideline and should be modified to accommodate your specific conditions. The lengths of time should be modified if you have an automatic sprinkler system since that will not take as long to provide adequate moisture. So, decrease amount of water (time) but maintain frequency as is. The tuna cans test is recommended. If it is still especially warm, you may want to irrigate 3 times a day (10-15 minutes if necessary) for that first couple weeks. Your objective is to keep the upper 1 inch of soil moist and not let the seeds dry out.
jweiner
Original Author
16 years ago
Thank you - however, these are the guidelines for a newly seeded lawn. As I described in my original question, I just overseeded an existing lawn.

Joel
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I understand your frustration. I am having the opposite experience. I seeded 11 days ago, and the weather has been in the low 90s, full sun, not a drop of rain since. Going on 3 weeks now with no significant precipitation of any kind. The weather people are a bunch of borons - it was supposed to be high 70s/low 80s this week, which is why I seeded. As a matter of fact, they forecasted 82 degrees and rain on Sunday for Wednesday and it was 91 full sun. I think in North Korea they hang you for much less. Seedling growth is stunted and I'm starting to lose some to the heat, even the mature grass isn't growing. Very frustrating. End of rant
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dschribs
16 years ago
I'm following this on my overseeded lawn and it seems to be working great.
turf_toes
16 years ago
jweiner,

It doesn't matter. The water is to get the seeds to germinate. The seeds need the water regardless if it is an existing lawn or a new one. (Your problem, of course, is that the existing lawn will grow like crazy because of the water). But the seeds need the water to grow. Otherwise, your germination rates will be lower and some of the seeds you spread will go to waste
darius_07
16 years ago
You need the seeds to germinate, that's the number one priority. So for a short time, the watering schedule won't be ideal for the established lawn. That's OK, the lawn can take it. If you don't baby those seeds along, they will die.

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