How Long Can Grass Seed Go Without Water?

All green, healthy grass around your compound is a sight to behold, and it’s a sign of hard work. You have to water, weed and mow the grass at the right time to maintain its sheen. Whether you’re reseeding or doing your lawn for the first time, water is a crucial component. If grass seeds stay dry after planting, it will affect the germination process. 

As you know, watering the grass can be an uphill task, especially if you’re a busy person, which can make you skip doing so. But how long can grass seed go without water?

This majorly depends on the climatic condition around you. But it’s advisable to water it daily for it to thrive.

If this question keeps bothering you, this guide has your back as we’ll delve deeper into it.

Will Grass Seed Grow Without Watering?

Before you water your grass, you’ve got to consider the climatic conditions of your area. You can skip some days without watering the lawn if it has rained recently. This means the ground must be moist to help maintain the growth process. The moisture will help the grass have enough oxygen and hydrogen, which supplies nutrients from the soil.

Water facilitates germination, soaks the husk, and provides nutrients and moisture to the seed’s embryo. This will go on until the embryo develops roots and blades. But it’s advisable to water the grass seed daily to enable them to thrive.

How Long Can Grass Seed Go Without Water?

If the grass seed is yet to sprout, it can go for about one week without water. However, when it starts to germinate, you’ve got to water constantly to help increase the growth process. It’s advisable to water your grass seeds twice daily during this period (in the morning and evening).

If you’re in a dry area, it’s best to increase the watering sessions to 3 or 4 times daily to prevent them from dying. Then take around 5 minutes to water the grass seeds in every session. This will enable the soil to be moist about 2 inches deep, improving nutrients and moisture absorption rate.

Remember, during this crucial growth stage, the grass tends to be at its weakest point as the root tendrils grow and require enough water. Water will help in cell expansion and rehydration. If you don’t water the grass seeds in this stage, they’re prone to die, which is disadvantageous on your side. But watering the grass seeds won’t last for long since the grass will be grown after three or two weeks.

Factors That Affect Watering Schedule

Some factors will affect your watering schedule, so you need to be alert about them. The factors are;

The Outdoor Conditions

If it’s dry, you have to water the grass seeds frequently to maintain the moist condition of the soil. But when it’s raining, your watering schedule will have to be reduced as the rain will keep the soil wet for some time.

Also, the winds will interfere with your daily routine. On a dry, windy day, the soil tends to lose moisture faster, and the seeds can also be blown away, forcing you to reseed. However, if the soil is wetter, the grass seeds will sink deeper into the soil and protect them from being swept away. It’s advisable to water the grass seeds regularly on dry and windy days/week to protect them.

The Variety of The Grass Seeds

There are different varieties of grass seeds that determine their growth rate. Grass seed that takes less time to germinate will reduce the number of days you will have to water them. So, after your grass grows to around 1 inch, you will not have to maintain the regular watering schedule. But the slow-growing grass seeds will make you water for more days which can be tiring.  

Can You Over Water Grass Seed?

Yes, there are instances when you can unknowingly overwater your grass seeds. When this happens, it will result in:

Reduced Growth Rate

If you overwater the grass seeds, the soil around the grass will become soggy and waterlogged. This can interfere with the grass growth rate as mud will cover up the seeds, making you wait longer to see the desired results. What’s more, excess water will cause soil depression, making it more compact. You will have challenges correcting the areas with deep footprints, so avoid making the top layer of soil wet.  

Seeds Will Be Washed Away

In some instances, the excess water can wash the grass seeds away, giving you additional expenses. If the grass seeds are washed away, it can result in uneven patches on the lawn as they’ll redistribute in clumps.

Additionally, the seeds might go to waste if your lawn is in a sloped area where they’ll be washed down the hill. What makes the seeds get washed away is that their roots are not well established or strong enough to hold strong when the water levels increase.  

Deep Lying Seed

Overwatering the grass seeds will also make the seeds buried deeper into the soil. This will prevent the sprouted grass from receiving sunlight, affecting its growth. Deep lying grass seed will also take longer to appear on the ground surface, interfering with your plans. Too much water can also make the seeds rot if they’re deep in the soil, making you repeat the process(reseed).

Fungal Infections

Fungi like moist areas, so if you overwater your lawn, especially after reseeding, it will affect the grown grass. The yet-to-sprout grass seeds and those with no established roots will also decompose or break down because of fungi. If you don’t realize you’re overwatering your lawn on time, the fungal infection will spread all over, forcing you to treat the whole of it.

It’s advisable to avoid such problems by creating your watering schedule and sticking to it. Also, don’t overwater in any of the sessions and do it for about five minutes until the soil becomes moist to a 1-inch depth.

But you can increase the watering frequency depending on the soil on your lawn. Once your grass grows to around 3 inches, and you start to mow, reduce the rate you water them. After the first mow, you can water the grass once a week, depending on the weather conditions in your area.

Bottom Line

Your grass seeds need enough water to help them grow and flourish. So, set a watering schedule like twice a day and stick by it. However, you should avoid overwatering as it has adverse effects on the plant and can give you additional work. 

Read More: Can You Mow and Fertilize on The Same Day? (Answered)