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New turf - watering advice

matthewrochematthewroche Posts: 31
in Problem solving
Hi all, I laid new turf on Saturday onto 4 inches of new top soil. It was delivered on Friday with the intention of laying straight away but the weather was so bad we had to wait the following day.

We haven’t had any rain since Saturday, but I’ve been watering twice a day for around 15-20mins a time, morning and night - using a hose rather than a sprinkler system.

Some of the edges are changing colour and there is some shrinkage in places. I was initially worried about over water but now I’m thinking I should be watering more.

It’s sunny all day tomorrow and I’m panicking I’m not watering enough and would be grateful for some advice. Thank you.


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  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Watering lightly isn't ideal, and 15 to 20 mins would only be enough for a small part of that area.
    Once every couple of days for about half an hour to an hour on a section around 4m x 4m would be about right. 
    If you were able to water the entire area in that 2nd pic at one go, it would need about an hour every couple of days, ,depending on your weather.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • matthewrochematthewroche Posts: 31
    Thanks for the reply, it’s 40sqm to give some context. So if I continue to do it twice a day - how long should I be aiming for? 30+ mins each time?

    Do you think it’s looking unhealthy? I’m praying for a good bit of rain so it gets a bit greener!
  • rossdriscoll13rossdriscoll13 Posts: 234
    @matthewroche when watering a new lawn ALWAYS use a sprinkler.  You need to water so that it gets down past the roots of the turf into the soil.  What you are aiming for is to get the roots established into the soil.  New turf that is shrinking or turning brown is due to insufficient water.  Also when it rains  don’t necessarily think that that is enough to water your lawn.
  • matthewrochematthewroche Posts: 31
    rossdriscoll13 said:
    @matthewroche when watering a new lawn ALWAYS use a sprinkler.  You need to water so that it gets down past the roots of the turf into the soil.  What you are aiming for is to get the roots established into the soil.  New turf that is shrinking or turning brown is due to insufficient water.  Also when it rains  don’t necessarily think that that is enough to water your lawn.
    Please could you advise of a specific type of sprinkler which would be best? Apologies, but very new to this!

    If I was to start using a sprinkler instead, hoping I’m not too late to turn it around?
  • rossdriscoll13rossdriscoll13 Posts: 234
    @matthewroche you want to use an oscillating sprinkler.  I use a Hozelock.  Move it around to different sections of your lawn to make sure water reaches the entire lawn.
  • matthewrochematthewroche Posts: 31
    edited April 2023
    Thank you, I will pick one up tomorrow. Is there a rule of thumb how long to leave them on for new turf? And for once/twice a day?
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    If you consider that when it's raining properly, and steadily  [ ie not a wee light sprinkle] for an hour or so, that's the sort of watering it needs.
    If you lived in the west of the UK, you would rarely, if ever, need to water new turf at this time of year. If you're not getting that sort of regular and persistent rainfall, you need a sprinkler for that sort of time   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • matthewrochematthewroche Posts: 31
    It usually rains all the time in Cardiff, but has typically dried up since I laid turf!! 😆
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    if you're getting a dry spell, you need to water thoroughly. We currently have a very welcome dry spell here too.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • rossdriscoll13rossdriscoll13 Posts: 234
    @matthewroche an easy way of checking if you have reached the right amount of watering is to place an empty mug on the ground in line with the sprinkler.  Once the mug has filled up with between 2 to 3 inches of water that’s when to stop watering.  Time how long it takes the water to reach that level and then you’ll know how long to water for in future.
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