How Long Can Grass Seed Go Without Water? Seeding Your Lawn

If you’ve ever wondered, “How long can grass seed go without water?” the answer is not for long, that’s for sure! Grass seeds need water to grow, and although they can go without water for a while, they will eventually die if the ground is not moist. Read this guide to find out the complete watering schedule of grass seeds.

How Long Can Grass Seed Go Without Water?

Grass seeds that are newly planted and yet to germinate will go barely two to three days without water; after this, they will begin to desiccate and start drying. On the other hand, grass seeds that have germinated and developed into blades will go on living without water for several weeks. This is because water is most crucial for germination to occur and seeds to sprout.

A newly-planted lawn needs to be watered at least once a day for three weeks. After that, you should be able to water every other day or every two days. The time it takes for grass seed germination depends on the type of seed, the temperature, and the amount of moisture. Some seeds can take up to two weeks to germinate, while others can take as little as one day.

Continue reading for important information you need to know regarding grass and its watering needs.

– Multiple Times a Day

In order to make sure your seeds don’t die due to dryness, you must water them multiple times per day during germination. This is the period right after you plant the seeds in the soil. The soil should remain constantly moist within the first two inches.

You will most likely need to water grass seed three to four times in a single day at the very least. Each watering session should take a minimum of five minutes to be effective. That is why sprinklers come in handy when planting grass seed.

The rationale behind such high water demand is that the seeds need moisture in order to germinate and sprout grass. Having proper hydration also goes hand in hand with rapid and fast absorption of nutrients from the soil.

– Add a Layer of Mulch To Help Retain Moisture

The topsoil is the part in an existing lawn from where the seeds draw moist moisture, and this is the layer that is most vulnerable to desiccation because of its exposure to air and direct sunlight. That is why adding a layer of mulch to the top of the soil is a avery good idea.

You can use a number of materials to be used as mulch — paper, wood shavings, and grass clippings to name a few. The mulch layer should not be too thick, otherwise air and oxygen will have a hard time reaching your seeds.

On the plus side, this mulch layer will prevent water from evaporating too fast from the soil. Your frequency of watering grass seeds will be reduced and you will not have to worry too much about them drying out like before.

– Dry Seeds Can Go a Long Time Without Watering

When it comes to dry seeds prior to planting seeds, these can be stored for a very long time without water. You can store them for up to two years in most cases.

If the seeds in question are of very good quality and of a grass type that is long-living, they might live up to 10 years straight. Overall, the seeds will continue to lose 10 percent of their germination rate per year, even when stored under the most perfect conditions. 

Just take care to invest in the most high-quality seeds that you can find. Take care of the temperature and humidity levels around the stored seeds to make them go longer without water.

– Don’t Plant During Wet Seasons

Planting seeds during wet seasons is not advisable because it may cause the seed to become waterlogged. You should store your seeds in a cool and dry place, preferably in a sealed container. These factors need to be kept in mind while planting a seed in the wet season.

• Soil Type 

Seeds should be planted in moist soil that is rich in organic matter. The soil should also be loose and well-drained so that water can easily move through it.

• Seedling Type 

You should also consider the seedling type when planting seeds during the wet season because different seedlings require different watering methods. For example, some seedlings need more water than others while some need less water. Others need no water at all until they sprout their first leaves. 

• Drowning Grass Seeds

Yes, it is possible to drown grass seeds too. This mostly happens during the wet seasons or when the sprinklers are left on all the time, especially at night. The water does not have enough time to evaporate in this case and becomes accumulated within the soil. 

In a lot of cases, this drowning leads to the washing away of the seeds. They are exposed to the surface where they become food for rodents and birds. They might even go into dormancy and refuse to germinate.

Frequently Asked Questions

There must be lots of questions going through your mind about this topic. We have strived to bring you an expert answer to the most frequently asked one in the section below.

– Do I Have To Water Grass Seed Right Away?

Yes, you need to water the soil immediately after you plant grass on your lawn. Take no more than 10 to 15 minutes after planting before bringing your hose out. 

Keep on wearing for at least five minutes so that the first three to five inches of soil get soaked through with water thoroughly. Your seeds need plenty of water to germinate and sprout.

– Drying Out

How quickly these seeds dry out depends on how quickly the soil dries out. This, in turn, depends on the weather and atmospheric conditions of the day. The sunnier it is, the more rapidly the water will evaporate from the soil. 

Similarly, windy weather conditions are also responsible for drying out seeds faster than average. Another major factor is the overall humidity of the region where you live. 

If your location happens to be a dry one, you will need to water your grass more often and for longer periods of time to save it from drying. The air is generally drier during wintertime as compared to summers too, but temperatures are lower and water takes longer to evaporate.

Conclusion

Let’s recap what we have learned so far:

• Grass seeds that are newly planted and yet to germinate will go barely two to three days without water; after this, they will begin to desiccate and start drying.

• Grass seeds that have germinated and developed into blades will go on living without water for several weeks.

• It is best to store seeds in a cool, dry place.

• Seeds should be watered every few days depending on their specific needs.

• It is important to know when the seed needs water so do your research for a seed you’re looking to plant.

And with that, we have come to the end of the guide. We hope you found the article insightful and whatever you have learned from here will come in handy when planting and growing your own grass seeds.