First Week

• The first week after planting, moisture levels need to be constant for proper sprouting. Water lightly--in the daytime--and only enough to keep the surface layer damp.
  
  

After Emergence

• While the grass is less than an inch tall, watering once on cloudy days and twice on sunny days should be enough. Over-watering may physically damage the lawn by displacing sprouted seed and earth.
  
  

Maturing Grass

• When the grass is one inch in height, cut back watering to once a day. Grass roots never occupy more than the top few inches of soil, so just water enough to keep that zone damp.
  
  

First Mowing

• Grass should be several inches high before the first mowing. Stop watering a day or two before to let the ground firm up, and cut no shorter than two-thirds the height of the grass.
  
  

Mature Lawns

• When the grass fills in, watering amounts depend on local weather. Established lawns become dormant during droughts, but new lawns have less drought resistance.