When you start your new lawn from grass seed, the most important thing you can do for it is to keep it moist. Overhead watering systems waste water and have a high risk of disease and fungus problems. A better option is a sprinkler head designed specifically for new lawns. It will prevent overwatering, keep water off the foliage, and allow the seedlings to establish themselves without being washed away by wind or heavy rain.
The best sprinklers for new grass seed are those that lay down an even blanket of gentle mist. The mist will soak into the soil more quickly than a spray, so it’s less likely to evaporate or run off the soil. It also won’t disturb tender new plants as much as a forceful spray or stream of water would.
Here are a few things to consider when choosing your next sprinkler system for young grass seed:
Watering new grass
Watering a new lawn is particularly important. New grass has shallow roots and needs frequent watering to develop strong, deep roots.
All newly seeded lawns need frequent watering to keep the top 1/2 inch of soil moist until they’re well established. In general, grass seed germinates in 7 to 14 days; most varieties need at least 1 inch of water per week during this time, if not more.
If you live in a particularly hot or dry area, you might need to increase that amount — generally up to 1 1/2 inches of water per week. If you’re using a sprinkler system, run it each morning for 30 minutes. If you prefer to use a hose or can and want to figure out how long it would take to apply 1 inch of water, place several empty tuna cans around the yard and set your sprinkler running for 30 minutes.
How often should new grass be watered?
The best way to determine how much water new grass needs is by testing moisture levels in the soil. This can be accomplished with a screwdriver or trowel — if the soil is dry 6 inches below ground level, it’s time to water. If the soil feels damp or cool to the touch, wait another day or two before watering again.
Newly planted grass seed needs about 1/4 inch water each day for four to six weeks following germination. You can measure this by setting empty tuna cans or pie plates out in different areas of your lawn and watering until the cans collect 1/4 inch of water.
New grass watering schedule
Water deeply and less often to encourage deep roots.
This schedule is for new grass seed laid in spring or fall.
- Day 1 – Day 3: Water every day for 1 hour.
- Day 4 – Day 10: Water every other day for 2 hours.
- Day 11 – Week 4: Water 3 times per week for 2 hours, preferably on alternate days.
- Week 5 – Week 10: Water 2 times per week for 3 hours, preferably on alternate days.
- Week 11 – Dormancy: Water once a week for 4 hours until the grass goes dormant (stops growing), then stop watering until next year.
When to stop watering new grass seed in the fall
If you are watering new grass seed in the fall, you may be wondering when to stop watering new grass seed. After all, there’s no point in wasting water on a season that will end soon.
When to Stop Watering New Grass Seed: The Basics
Several factors determine when you should stop watering new grass seed in the fall. First, the climate in your area determines the ideal time for sowing grass seed. In some areas, it’s possible to sow seed all year round. In others, it’s only possible to plant grass seed during a specific window of time in the spring or fall.
In general, though, you should stop watering new grass seed once temperatures dip below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 C.)
If planting and seeding during cooler weather, keep in mind that cool-season grasses germinate and grow best at temperatures between 60-75 F. (15-24 C.), while warm-season grasses thrive at 80-95 F. (27-35 C.).
Best sprinkler for large lawn
GrowGreen Sprinkler, Rotating Lawn Sprinkler
GrowGreen Sprinkler, Rotating Lawn Sprinkler, Large Area Coverage Water for and
Condition: Open box
GrowGreen Sprinkler, Rotating Lawn Sprinkler, Large Area Coverage Water Sprinklers for Lawns and Gardens
- POWERFUL & VERSATILE LAWN SPRINKLER: Give your yard maximum even water sprinkling with 80 PSI water pressure, 360 degree rotation, and 32.8 feet spray distance,
- FULLY ADJUSTABLE SPRINKLER: Adjust the sprinkler nozzles to spray in any direction to customize your watering. The sprinkler base is weighted to keep the unit in place and ensure it doesn't move around.
The Rotating lawn sprinkler rotates 360 degrees, and its spray range up to 32.8ft. It is designed to water your lawn automatically, great for watering your lawn, garden, grass, flowers, and plants; A perfect summer gift for the gardener or farmer.
Features include:
- Made of durable ABS plastic.
This lawn sprinkler can be adjustable from partial to full circle. You can set the coverage area (part circle) by rotating the head unit and setting the adjustment pins into one of the many notches on the unit’s base. - Longer service life
Maximum coverage area – Up to 3200 square feet when connected to a standard garden hose. Spray distance – up to 32.8 feet in diameter when the water pressure is normal.**
Best sprinkler for medium lawn
Orbit 58288 3-Arm High-Rise Sprinkler
Orbit 3-Arm High Rise Garden Sprinkler, 56234
Orbit 58288 3-Arm High-Rise Sprinkler
- MEDIUM-AREA COVERAGE: Sprays up to 50 ft. in diameter, covering 1,960 sq. ft.
- TELESCOPING BASE: Sprinkler adjusts from 23 in. to 35 in. in height.
- EVEN COVERAGE: 3-arm twirling action ensures dependable, 360 degree water coverage.
Some of the most innovative and functional products on the market today are also among the simplest. The Orbit 58288 3-Arm High-Rise Sprinkler is an excellent example of that trend it’s one of the best types of sprinklers for new grass seed.
It is a metal sprinkler with three arms that rise to five feet to water your lawn or garden.
The Orbit 58288 3-Arm High-Rise Sprinkler is one of the simplest sprinklers you can buy, and it’s also one of the most effective and popular. Why? Because it works well and because it delivers excellent value for money.
This basic sprinkler offers three spray patterns to choose between full, half, or quarter circle coverage. You can adjust its height from 20 to 48 inches and rotate it 360 degrees to cover any area you desire.
Best sprinkler for small lawn
Melnor 65003-AMZ MiniMax Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler
Melnor 65003-AMZ MiniMax Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler with QuickConnect Product Adapter Watering Set, On Base, Black, Yellow
- Mini sized oscillator with full-size coverage up to 4000 sq. ft.
- Four-way adjustment for precision watering right where it’s needed. Flow-through base allows unit-to-unit connection so multiple sprinklers can be set up throughout the yard
Melnor MiniMax Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler has all the features of a full-size sprinkler in a compact design. The MiniMax Turbo delivers gentle watering to your more miniature garden and flower beds with a maximum coverage area of 3,000 sq. ft.
The Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler with an adapter, which quickly snaps onto your QuickConnect hose end. No tools required, no water leaks, and you won’t get your hands dirty.
Best sprinkler for rectangular lawn
Melnor 65074-AMZ XT Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler
Melnor Adjustable Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler — 4000 Sq. Ft. Capacity, Model XT45000
Melnor 65074-AMZ XT Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler with 2-Way Adjustment and QuickConnect Product Adapter Set, Amazon Bundle
- 20 Precision rubber nozzles provide maximum coverage of a large lawn or garden up to 4, 500 sq. Ft..Backed by the Milnor Limited Lifetime . Melnor stands behind its productsPower Source Type: Manual
- Twin touch adjustment controls the width of the watering pattern to cover the whole yard or a narrow flower bed
The Melnor XT Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler and QuickConnect Product Adapter is a deluxe sprinkler that can water up to 4,200 sq. ft. This model features fully adjustable controls for width, range, and coverage area. The 2-way adjustability includes 20 clog-resistant nozzles for precise watering and a flow control knob for easy adjusting. The turbo motor provides even water distribution and maximum durability. A quick snap-on connector is included for easy installation with any standard garden hose, and a detachable weighted sled base offers stability while watering your yard or garden.
Best sprinkler for narrow lawn
Melnor 65031-AMZ MiniMax Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler
Melnor 65031-AMZ MiniMax Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler on Step Spike with QuickConnect Product Adapter Set, Black, Yellow
- Coverage up to 3, 900 sq. Ft. Great for watering the lawn, newly seeded areas, or a large garden
- Four-way adjustment for Precision watering right where it’s needed. Material-Metal, Plastic
- Zoom control adjusts the overall watering area. Zoom in for a small patch of newly seeded lawn or all the way out to cover a large section of the yard
The Melnor MiniMax Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler is a versatile, adjustable sprinkler suited for small to medium yards. The Turbo Drive motor provides smooth operation that is clog-resistant, even when watering new lawns with heavy thatch. The MiniMax Turbo provides flexible watering coverage with a spray range from 10 feet up to 30 feet wide and 14 feet up to 40 feet long.
An adjustment valve allows for fine-tuning the distance of the spray for more precise watering control. The MiniMax Turbo sets up in seconds on the included step spike or can be used with other Melnor QuickConnect product bases such as the Tripod Base (sold separately) to direct the water where it’s needed most.
With Melnor’s QuickConnect Product Adapter, connecting and disconnecting sprinklers is a snap. Just squeeze and pull to remove watering devices. It’s that easy! The MiniMax Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler comes with a Limited Lifetime Warranty.
Best sprinkler for a new lawn
GARDENA 1973 Aquazoom 2700-Square Foot Oscillating Sprinkler
GARDENA 1973 Aquazoom 2700-Square Foot Oscillating Sprinkler with Fully Adjustable Width Control
- Even watering: The nozzles of the oscillating sprinkler continuously ensure even and precise lawn watering on areas between 96 sq ft and 2700 sq ft while preventing puddles or dry patches forming
- Versatile: With 2 different adjustment options, alter the watering range to fit your garden using the built in sliders, and modify width for precise watering using the width controllers
The Aquazoom 2700-Square Foot Oscillating Sprinkler with Fully Adjustable Width Control is great for watering large, irregularly shaped areas. This oscillating sprinkler features a fully adjustable width control to fit your yard’s needs. Simply adjust the width control lever to the desired width and the patented Aqua Zoom technology will take care of the rest.
With this sprinkler, you can water up to 2700 square feet at a time, while being able to adjust the spray distance from 20 feet to 60 feet. The sliding rail makes it easy to customize your watering pattern so you can fit any lawn or garden shape.
The GARDENA Aquazoom 2700-Square Foot Oscillating Sprinkler with Fully Adjustable Width Control has an anti-leak system, a built-in cleaning needle, and a sturdy metal spike that helps keep it in place during use. It also comes with a 2-year limited warranty.
Best sprinkler for odd-shaped lawn
Nelson Traveling Sprinkler
Nelson Traveling Sprinkler RainTrain 13,500 Square Feet Yellow (818653-1003)
- Cast-iron body with chip resistant, powder-coat paint
- Coverage up to 13,500 square feet
- Travels up to 200 feet
- Adjustable aluminum spray arms provide coverage range from 15 feet to 55 feet in diameter
- Automatic shut-off
The Nelson Traveling Sprinkler RainTrain makes watering the lawn a snap and is the best sprinkler to water grass seed.
. It is a self-propelled traveling sprinkler that will cover up to 13,500 sq. ft. with its adjustable aluminum spray arms. The sprinkler features a die-cast zinc body and a powder-coated finish for long-lasting use and durability.
The RainTrain covers up to 200 ft. of the watering path, moving along at variable speeds up to 200 ft./hr., changing directions automatically when it encounters an obstruction in the path or end of the hose. This makes the RainTrain perfect for watering large lawns, and even gardens, while you are busy doing other things.
Best sprinkler for sloped lawn
Melnor 65067-AMZ Pulsating Sprinkler
Melnor Inc Pulsating Sprinkler Metal Sle3900H
Melnor 65067-AMZ Pulsating Sprinkler with QuickConnect Product Adapter Amazon...
Condition: New
Melnor 65067-AMZ Pulsating Sprinkler with QuickConnect Product Adapter, Amazon Bundle, Metal Base
- Waters up to 85' diameter
- Durable all metal sprinkler head
- Sturdy metal base
- Quickly connect and disconnect the sprinkler with an included Quick Connect Product Adapter (Requires Quick Connect Product End Connector sold separately)
Pulsating sprinklers are a great way to water plants without turning them off completely. The spray is strong enough to wet the leaves and stems, but gentle enough that the leaves don’t get soaked through and start drooping. They’re also very useful in pots and other small spaces where watering with a traditional hose would be impractical or difficult.
Pulsating sprinklers are usually used to water flowers, but they can also be used on the patio, deck, or porch, where a typical sprinkler would get too close to the seating area.
They’re not limited to ornamental plants; they can be used for a variety of purposes, from watering small vegetable patches to rinsing laundry on the line. Pulsating sprinklers are also very efficient and can use as little as 1/4 of a gallon of water at a time.
Best lawn sprinkler for windy area
Gilmour WS46GT Whirling Sprinkler
Gilmour WS46GT Whirling Sprinkler
- Green Thumb, whirling rotary sprinkler
- Designed with a square pattern
- Provides coverage for up to 45' x 45' of area
- Has weighted wheel base, for the ultimate stability, and durability for outdoor use
- Comes with metal three arm head
The Gilmour WS46GT Whirling Sprinkler has four-position adjustments to customize your watering coverage. You can choose from a full circle, two-quarter circles, three third circles, or a rectangular pattern that covers up to 4,250 square feet. This sprinkler is adjustable from 40 to 360 degrees and rotates in a whirling motion that provides even water coverage.
Features include:
- Adjustable sprinkler head with four-position selectors (full circle, two-quarter circles, three third circles, or rectangular pattern).
- Rustproof poly construction.
- Flow thru design for continuous operation.
- Chrome-plated spike with thread for stability.
All best sprinklers for best grass seed featured here sorted by price:
When planning a new lawn, you need to consider how much work you want to put into it. To save yourself time, consider choosing one of the seed-and-watering-system combos available. These systems will help you achieve the best results and will only take up a small area of your yard or garden. If you’re looking for convenience and simplicity, the above products could be perfect for your needs because they are the best sprinkler for watering new grass seeds. To get more views on this type of sprinklers it’s best to research you can have a look at how they work here.
