Lawn care guides

A complete guide to watering your lawn

Watering is the single biggest factor in how well new turf takes, and how good an established lawn looks through a Brisbane summer. Here’s how we recommend watering, from the day your turf is laid to years down the track.

Watering a new lawn

Freshly laid turf has very short roots and relies on you for all its water. It needs watering a couple of times a day, every day, for the first couple of weeks, until it roots into the soil underneath. Once the roots take hold, your lawn is on its way to becoming established and you can start watering less often.

Important tips for new lawns

• Water a few times a day, every day, for the first couple of weeks.
• Water in the morning first, then again through the day as needed.
• Keep the ‘feet’ of the turf (the soil and roots underneath) damp at all times so the roots grow down into the soil.
• Water evenly with a sprinkler or irrigation system so every roll gets the same amount, including the edges and corners.

New lawn watering schedule

Use the daytime temperature and wind to find your row, then follow the columns as your lawn settles in. To check whether your turf has rooted, gently lift the corner of a roll. If it lifts easily, it hasn’t taken yet. If it holds firm, the roots have grown into the soil.

Keep foot traffic, kids and pets off the new lawn as much as possible until it has rooted, and don’t mow until the turf won’t pull up when you tug a corner.

Watering an established lawn

After about 5–6 weeks your lawn should be established. From here, the aim changes: instead of keeping the surface damp, you want to train the roots to grow deep, where the soil stays cooler and moister for longer. A deep-rooted lawn copes far better with heat, dry spells and water restrictions.

• Water deeply, less often. One or two good soakings a week in hot, dry weather is better than a light sprinkle every day. Short, frequent watering keeps roots shallow.
• Wet the root zone. Aim to wet the top 10–15 cm of soil. To see how long that takes, put a few empty containers on the lawn while the sprinkler runs and time how long they take to collect about 15–20 mm.
• Let it rain. Skip watering after decent rain and check the soil before you water again.
• Watch the hot spots. Areas near driveways, paths and north- or west-facing walls dry out faster and may need extra water.
• Mow a little higher in summer. Longer leaves shade the soil and help it hold moisture.

Many of the varieties we supply, like zoysias and hybrid buffalos, are bred to need less water once established. See our turf varieties for details.

The best time of day to water

Early morning is best, ideally before about 9 am. It’s cooler and usually calmer, so less water is lost to evaporation and wind, and the grass dries off during the day.

Avoid watering in the evening where you can. Grass that stays wet overnight, especially in Brisbane’s humid months, is more prone to fungal disease.

The exception is new turf. In its first weeks it needs water whenever the soil underneath starts drying out, so follow the schedule above and water through the day on hot days.

How to tell if your lawn needs water

Overwatering causes problems too. Soggy, spongy ground, mushrooms, moss or yellowing grass can mean the lawn is getting more water than it needs, so cut back and let the soil dry a little between waterings.

Seasonal watering in Brisbane

South East Queensland has hot, humid summers with storms and mild, dry winters. Adjust your watering through the year rather than sticking to one routine.

Spring (September – November)

Often the driest and windiest time of year, with temperatures climbing fast. Your lawn is waking up and growing, so increase watering as it warms up. This is also a great time to lay new turf.

Summer (December – February)

Hot days push water needs up, but summer storms can do the job for you. Check the soil and the forecast before watering, water early in the morning, and skip it after a good downpour. New turf laid in summer needs close attention on days over 30°C.

Autumn (March – May)

Temperatures ease and growth slows. Cut back gradually, watering only when the lawn shows signs of being dry.

Winter (June – August)

Warm-season grasses slow right down and need much less water. An established lawn may only need watering every couple of weeks in dry spells. New turf laid in winter still needs regular watering, but usually less often than the schedule above, so let the soil moisture guide you.

Always follow any water restrictions that apply in your area.