How Often Should You Water New Turf?

We recommend you water your lawn at least twice a day in warm weather (preferably morning and evening) until it is well established. Many homeowners make the mistake of thinking they can have a morning or evening off if it’s raining, however, this doesn’t necessarily mean your turf will get enough water, so always be sure to check that the rain has soaked through into the soil. If that’s not the case, it’s time to reach for the sprinkler or hose. On cooler days, watering just the once per day is sufficient, and with every period of watering, it’s essential to make sure the edges are watered thoroughly too.

Watering tips to nurture a healthy lawn

On average, most lawns require 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week to stay lush and green, but different types of soil absorb and retain moisture differently. For example, sandy soil absorbs water very quickly and needs less water more frequently, whilst loam generally absorbs water evenly, without puddling. But as a rule of thumb, 1.5 inches of water per week is ideal, and this can come from watering or rainfall.

As your new turf absorbs plenty of water, you’ll notice that it grows very quickly but you don’t have to be afraid to mow the lawn after just a few days. As soon as the lawn grows over 1 inch, place the lawnmower blades on the highest setting and gradually reduce this down to the optimum height (15-25mm). You can then continue to water your lawn until it is well established.

How often should I water a well-established lawn?

Once your lawn is healthy and well established, you may only need to water it once a week or once a month in exactly the same weather conditions. The ideal frequency will depend on a number of factors, such as your location, soil type, grass type and exposure to sun and wind. There are, however, a few telltale signs to lookout for that suggest your lawn needs watering, such as a change in colour or a lack of ‘springiness’ when walked on.

It’s important to remember watering too often, too little or at the wrong time of day promotes disease, moss and weeds, but once you get into the routine of watering, you’ll reap the rewards with a lawn that’s fresh, healthy and vibrant. If you need any further advice on watering, mowing, feeding or ongoing maintenance, please download our step-by-step guide, which runs through the different stages of creating the perfect lawn in more detail.