Walking on Newly Seeded Area

[ultravista]

I seeded a large portion of my back yard last Saturday (09/24) with K31. With no irrigation, I hand water with a hose making sure to broadcast the water as evenly as possible. Due to the size of the seeded area, my options for reaching the far-side is limited to walking on the seeded area. Watering is 3 times a day.

There is no established grass in the area - 100% on bare dirt.

Should I avoid walking on the seeded area? It is difficult to properly water the farthest area without walking out there.

Looking for advice.

[turf_toes]

To paraphrase John Wayne, a man’s (or woman) gotta do what a man’s gotta do.

If it’s the only way to ensure water for the grass, that’s what you’ll have to do.

[ultravista]

is it harmful to the seeds or newly sprouted seeds? None have sprouted yet,

[turf_toes]

Not to the ungerminated seeds. But once germinated you could damage newer seedlings. But you’ll have to make a call on whether you want to risk that.

[Marinegrunt]

When I did a reno I purchased actual inground sprinkler heads and used them above ground. The idea behind this route is that you can change the nozzles out in order to customize the spray pattern to your lawn. I have about 10k worth of lawn but I was able to position all of them along the perimeter. Most big box stores sell sprinkler heads if that's something you want to try. If it's not a large area you could probably get away with just a couple heads. It would save time watering and prevent you from walking on the seedlings.

[Green]

Keep it to whatever minimum level you can. And note germination starts when the white root (radical)...emerges about twice as early as the green plant part.

[ultravista]

When I did a reno I purchased actual inground sprinkler heads and used them above ground.

Your PVC was above ground? Did you cement the fittings?

[turf_toes]

Lots of folks run hose lines to these modified inground sprinkler heads. It’s an inexpensive, albeit temporary, solution to irrigation issues. If you search the site, you’ll find many posts

Here is just one (though this one suggested burying the hose, which, in my opinion is a mistake. If you are digging a trench to bury your hose, you might as well replace the hose with cheap poly pipe.

viewtopic.php?f=31&t=25231&hilit=Hose+hunter+heads

[Marinegrunt]

When I did a reno I purchased actual inground sprinkler heads and used them above ground.

Your PVC was above ground? Did you cement the fittings?

I didn't use pvc. I just used garden hoses since it was temporary. If you did use pvc you would have to cement the fittings or you could use Sharkbite fittings.

Someone on here about 4-5 years ago used pvc above ground for a temporary system on their reno. I think the member was Syntaxx but could be wrong.

[flyin-lowe]

I've seen pictures where the footprints were visible when the grass first sprouted because walking on it caused better seed to soil contact. The places where they stepped came up better. I've also seen the same with tire tracks.