Best way to water a new lawn?

tuffnelljohn

Hi all,

I have a new lawn. Its about 115 sq metres. 

Ive been told to water 1 minute per sq metre twice per day. Thats about 4 hours of watering per day!

Ive spent the last couple of days watering it using a hose, but there must be a better way!!? 

tuffnelljohn

Perhaps something like this will do the job? https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hozelock-Ltd-2972P0000-Rectangular-Sprinkler/dp/B000PBWCBE/ref=asc_df_B000PBWCBE/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=231845867220&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3810062337441537015&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045302&hvtargid=pla-307069574601&psc=1&th=1&psc=1

Loxley

Sprinklers and cross your fingers that we have some wet weather.

tuffnelljohn

Indeed. Ive just checked the forecast and next rain is due next saturday! 

The worse things about stood with a hose for 2 hours is - no matter if the sun is out - it gets really quite cold! Especially because your hand gets wet on holding the hose. 

I make sure I have a good podcast to listen to.

KT53

Rectangular sprinkler is certainly the way to go with that shape of lawn.  When we had ours done I moved the sprinkler roughly every hour to a new section.  I would have thought twice a day would only be needed if weather warms considerably.

tuffnelljohn

KT53 said:

Rectangular sprinkler is certainly the way to go with that shape of lawn.  When we had ours done I moved the sprinkler roughly every hour to a new section.  I would have thought twice a day would only be needed if weather warms considerably.

Thanks. Ill think Ill get one. (Ill probably have to wait until the lawn is safe to walk on before I can actually start to use it).

The forecast for the next week is - although sunny/overcast - is sub 10 degrees. So perhaps I can get away with just one watering per day? 

Tack

Hopefully somebody more expert in new lawns will be along to advise on the frequency of watering but once a day seems plenty to me in these conditions. Those rocker sprinklers can be adjusted so they only water to one side so you shouldn't need to walk on the lawn.

tuffnelljohn

Ive just bought that Hozelock rectangular sprinkler. It seems to come top on all the review sites (if you believe those!). Unfortunately I wont get it until next saturday! 

Next few days seem to be a bit chillier, so Im hoping just 1 watering a day will be sufficient.

Allotment Boy

Is it seed or turf?  Either way a good soaking twice a week should be plenty unless we get record temperatures,  or it's a very windy site.  Ironically the wind will dry it more than heat, at this time of year. If you keep watering the top the roots will never go down and establish , the idea of a good soak is  as the water goes down the roots track after it.  

Chris-P-Bacon

Soaker hose with a timer? Set it to come on during the night.

tuffnelljohn

I suppose it is quite windy as theres a flood plain/field next to it.

Its turf. It was laid 3 days ago. I dont mind erring on the side of caution for the first week. But I would kick myself if I didnt water it enough and the turf shrank and I had to fill the gaps in with seed.