Now that your lawn has been seeded, you may be wondering what you can do to help the new seed germinate. The first step is to provide plenty of water. With new seed, you should always use light, frequent watering (at least once a day). You should water enough to keep the top 1″ to 2″ of soil moist, but not overly saturated. If the seedbed dries out, germination can be reduced considerably. You should see the first signs of germination within 7 to 14 days if you water properly and continue to see germination for 4 to 6 weeks. If you only notice germination only in the holes left by the aerator, you may not be watering enough. 

 Late summer and early fall can be particularly hot and dry in this part of the country. Now more than ever, your turf needs thorough and consistent watering.

Your lawn needs water in the root zone, not just at the surface. How long it takes you to water correctly is determined by what kind of soil you have and how long it takes to get it properly saturated. Your soil can be classified as: clay (dense soil with few air spaces and very small, tightly packed soil particles); loam (an open mix with adequate air space for water and nutrients to move); or sandy (very loose and open with little water-holding ability). The type of soil makes a big difference in how often you should water.

If you didn't see a single, ugly crab plant, it doesn't mean you're immune this spring. The strength of crabgrass is in its numbers. Each plant that grew in your neighborhood last year produced as many as 4,000 seeds before it died. Those seeds may have found their way into your lawn on the soles of shoes, by being blown on the wind, or by birds.