Established turf
Water when the lawn shows real stress: footprints remain visible, leaves lose their spring and colour shifts towards blue-grey. Early morning is the best time because evaporation is lower and leaves dry quickly afterwards.
- Aim to wet the root zone, not just the leaves
- Check depth with a trowel after watering
- Use straight-sided containers to compare sprinkler coverage
- Allow the surface to dry between waterings to encourage deeper rooting
New seed and new turf
Seed beds need frequent, gentle moisture in the top layer until germination. As roots develop, reduce frequency and increase the amount each time. Newly laid turf needs immediate, even watering through the turf into the soil below, with special attention to edges.
- Never create puddles or wash seed into drifts
- Lift a corner of new turf to check moisture beneath it
- Reduce watering once the turf resists being lifted
- Follow temporary use restrictions during drought
Make water go further
Mow slightly higher during dry periods, fix compaction in autumn or spring, and add organic matter when renovating poor soil. A dense lawn shades its own soil. Watering cannot compensate indefinitely for a compacted, shallow or badly drained root zone.