[drjoeshmoe]

Just wanted some expert opinions on how much water I should give my Tall fescue.
Location: Bakersfield, CA
next 6 days tems will be low 90's high and low 60's low.

I overseeded tall fescue on the 22nd of last month, after aerating and adding some topper with peat moss, my fading away winder rye came back full, healthy, and green. And my new tall fescue seems to be sprouting nicely, more than an inch from what I can tell.

From the 22nd till now I was watering 3 times a day for 5 minutes each time.
I just scaled it down to 3 times a week, twice a day for 12 minutes.
Does this sound like a good amount? From what I understand, I am going to want to start to water deep and infrequent to encourage deep roots, just not sure if I am pulling back too early?

Thanks for any knowledge.
Joe

 

[chrismar]

I think you're on the right track. I'd leave it where it is until you make the first cut (of the new grass) and then scale it back a little more (maybe once a day every other day) than after 2 or 3 cuts, the deep and infrequent. Once or twice a week for total of 1"/week down.

 

[drjoeshmoe]

@chrismar Could you tell me how long I should hold out until I make that first cut? After aerating and the cooler weather we had, my winter rye got very healthy and is growing fast, I don't want to get too impatient and ruin the hard work.