Watering Info

Once a landscape project and/or lawn is installed, watering is the responsibility of the client and the deciding factor on the success of the project when it comes to living plant material or seeds. Sprinkler systems, properly installed, can be very useful in keeping plant material alive, without the labor of hauling hoses about.

Seed Installation

With spring and summer seed installations, expect weeds-sometimes a little, sometimes alot. Properly watering the new lawn will help avoid a lot of weed issues. Watering needs to be consistent-you must keep the soil moist at all times in seed lawns. It is absolutely essential that the lawn be kept moist before, during and and after the germination of the seeds. Watering should be done frequently, and of short duration.There should be no puddling, and the soil should be dark brown with moisture after watering, not grey with dryness, as you can lose up to 35% of your germinating seed per dryout-which means your lawn can die out completely with 2-3 dry outs.

Water with Frequency

When the lawn is young, the roots underdeveloped, and in hot or windy weather it is sometimes necessary to water up to 5 times per day; while in cool and calm weather, only once or twice is required. Weather is the most important factor when it comes to watering frequency. Your watering habits will change day to day, as weather conditions and temperatures dictate. Once the lawn is established, and has been cut 3 or 4 times, then the Grass will be strong enough to use herbicides to remove those pesky weeds. It is also at the point where frequency is reduced, and the duration of the watering is increased, as the roots are growing deeper into the ground, and water needs to get deeper than it did when the roots were very shallow.

Fall installations are more favorable to lawn installation-few weeds germinate in the fall, there is more moisture in soil, and cooler temperatures make it a great time to seed.

Sod Installation

Sod needs to be moist completely, including the underlying soil to allow for good root to soil contact.

DO NOT DEPEND ON THE WEATHER TO WATER YOUR LAWN!

You must exercise common sense based on the above guidelines.

Watering trees and shrubs are different than watering a lawn-longer duration, less frequency is the name of the game for trees and shrubs. Drip irrigation is the correct way to water woody ornamentals to prevent disease and health issues.

DO NOT WATER JUST BECAUSE YOU THINK IT IS TIME!

You need to test the soil each and every time you are about to water by sticking your finger into the soil in several locations around the plant. It is as easy to kill a plant by over watering as it is by underwatering.

If it is wet, leave it alone. If it is moist, leave it alone. If it is dry, water the plant by filling the planting bowl(you should have a raised mound of earth around the exterior of the new planting holes to ensure that the water is contained and making it down to the roots) around the plant up to three times when you water to make sure that the plant receives adequate water.

It is a natural process for the root system to dry somewhat to absorb oxygen-constant wetness leads to root rot and plant death.

If you have any questions, call NLC for more information. We want you to be successful-to accomplish this, you need the correct information above, and to realize that your part is an essential one in the success of your lawn, trees and shrubs.

Northeast Landscape Contractors, Inc.
314 Clark Street, North Andover MA, 01845
Tel: 978-794-1010 Fax: 978-794-3780
Office Hours: Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm