Water is what initiates germination of the new seeds and is vital to establishing a healthy new lawn. Once the seeds germinate, they must stay wet or the seedlings will die. This can be achieved by watering at least 1-2 times a day to a depth of 1-2’’ (meaning that the top 1-2” of soil are dark and moist but not soggy). The mulching straw that was placed over the bare areas helps to retain moisture and keep the top layer of soil from drying out too quickly.

 

       Soggy, muddy dirt will just make the seeds rot so don’t over water either. You do not want to see puddles.

 

       Autumn is the ideal time to start new grass here in CT. With the warm days and cooler nights, the young seedlings will thrive. We also see dew each morning which will assist in the water requirements but is not sufficient on its own.

 

       As the grass gets longer it will require less water so you can adjust your watering schedule as needed.

 

       You should see a fuzz of green on average within the first 10 days and then expect it to slowly fill in over the following 2-3 weeks. Your first lawn cut is normally 3-5 weeks after seeding but is dependent on the height of the new grass.

 

       The big take away here is to try your best to keep the soil moist and give the grass everything it needs to thrive.