How to Water a Lawn Without Stepping on It (4 simple ways)

Creating a perfect lawn is far from easy. It takes hours of research to find the perfect type of grass, the best seeder, and premium fertilizer. It would be a shame to let all that effort go to waste by stepping on a newly-sprouted lawn. So, what should you do? When should you water a new lawn? When is a lawn safe to walk on? And what are the best ways to water it without stepping on the sprouts? This article will tell you everything you need to know about taking care of your new lawn and when you can start enjoying it.

Ways to Water a New Lawn Without Stepping on It

Grass sprouts are fragile. If you’ve re-seeded your entire lawn, that means you must find a way to water your lawn without stepping on it.  Here are a few tried and true methods of watering your lawn without ever setting foot in it.

All timed settings should be thus to prevent fungi and other overwatering problems: once in the morning between 4–10 AM, then a second watering around noon. This way, your lawn will absorb most of the water it needs during the day, and you won’t need to water it at night.

Hose

The simplest way to water your lawn without stepping on it is to use a hose with multiple settings. Pick the setting that best suits your lawn. You want a spray that covers as wide an area as possible. Make sure you can cover every inch of your yard without stepping on the grass.

Also read -> How to Water a Lawn Without a Hose ( 5 Simple Ways)

Sprinkler

One of the best methods to water a new lawn is with a sprinkler on a timer. They are affordable, easy to set up, and readily available. Set your sprinkler(s) to cover your entire lawn for 5–10 minutes, twice a day. Leave a container out to make sure your lawn is getting enough water. If you use multiple sprinklers, the sprays should intersect so that you cover everything. But be careful; without timers, you can easily overwater the lawn.

Soaker Hose

Soaker hoses are generally used more commonly for gardens than lawns, but they can also water lawns without you needing to touch the sprouts. They can water the roots directly. Water from a soaker hose does not get blown away by the wind as a sprinkler might, does not stay on the foliage, and does not evaporate easily. They are also very cheap and will save you money by not wasting any water. The main issue is coverage: you will need more soaker hose to cover the entire lawn than if you use a system of sprinklers.

Irrigation Systems

If you have the time, money, and DIY skills to do it, the best way to water your lawn is by setting up a home irrigation system. These use a system of pipes, tubes, and valves to keep the soil moist from the bottom-up instead of the top-down. This involves setting up a watering system.

There are two different kinds of irrigation systems: drip and underground. Both varieties involve mapping, assembling pipes, and so on. They both require a ton of planning. But once you have them, they are easy to adjust to your lawn needs.

Drip irrigation involves drip tubing—a more precise version of the soaker hose mentioned earlier. The benefits are largely the same: you are above to water a large area of plants, in this case, grass, very close to the ground. Of the two irrigation systems, this one is much easier for the average person to do. But the biggest drawback is also the same as the soaker hose: you will need a lot of drip tubing to cover your entire lawn.

Setting up an underground watering system is as complicated as it sounds. It requires measuring the water meter, the service line, and the flow rate, as well as a lot of digging. You must map out your system before buying the pipes and valves. This is usually only worth doing if you have a wide, sprawling lawn.

Please also make sure that your irrigation system is legal before you start digging; some areas have laws against them. But if you manage to install them, they can increase the value of your house, too. It’s worth considering.

One more general consideration: although this article details new lawns, be careful not to run over any watering systems with your lawnmower in the future. This can range from unpleasant if you run over a hose to devastating if you hit a sprinkler head. Underground irrigation does not risk getting run over.

When to Water a New Lawn

If you have researched watering your lawn, you know that lawns do not need as much water as many give them; they only need 1–1.5 inches per week. Many people significantly overwater their lawns. This can lead to fungal infections and root death.

However, that is not the case with a new lawn. New lawns need substantially more water. They need to be watered twice daily for approximately ten minutes each session. This is best done in the morning between 4–10 AM for the grass to absorb the most water.

Ideally, the soil of a new lawn should always be moist. The seeds could die if the soil dries out. It should not be a swamp–just wet enough to not be dry. But there are reasons not to step on your new lawn, so you must achieve that perfect moisture level without setting foot on the grass.

Will Stepping on New Grass Kill It?

Grass sprouts are vulnerable. Merely walking on them can disrupt their growth, but may or may not kill them. You are looking at a delay, at minimum, if not death. It is best not to walk on new grass until after 3–4 weeks. After that, enjoy your new lawn!

What Happens If You Don’t Water New Grass?

New grass needs a lot of water—twice daily, compared to once weekly for mature lawns. Without water, the sprouts will die. The soil must be kept moist for this reason. A new lawn requires more care than an older lawn, so please do not tread on it and keep pets off of it as well.

Conclusion

Much like new babies and new kittens, new lawns require special care. You need to be able to water your new lawn without stepping on any of the new sprouts. While you could water from the perimeter of your yard with a hose, there are better, safer ways to make sure your sprouts stay hydrated. Sprinklers and soaker hoses are popular. If you have the time and money, you could invest in an intricate irrigation system before you start planting. Your new lawn will be worth the wait, so think before you plant.

Also read

How Long Does It Take For New Grass To Grow?

How to Use Rainwater to Water Lawn (Step by Step)

How to Water Your Lawn While on Vacation (5 Simple ways)

How to Water a Sloped Lawn ( Tips and Guide)

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