Seeding large lawn - can't keep watered

[Green Boys LawnCare]

I have a customer with a 60,000 sq. ft. field that they want turned into a lawn. They don't have a sprinkler system, and there is no way that they will be able to keep it watered the way I recommend (2-3 times a day for 2 weeks). I was planning to till, grade, and then use a slice/seeder. Any suggestions? Has anyone done this kind of work. Will the grass come up? I know there are people out there with large yards. I just don't know how they get them established, since you can't keep an area that big watered. Thanks for your help.

[TLS]

Your going to have to rely on Mother Nature.

I don't know if you'd need a slit seeder if your tilling though. I'd just spread it.

[Dooger54]

I actually seeded my own lawn this way, almost 3 acres. I was in the same position, no way to get water to all that area. It is surprising how well it did, but you are definitely at the mercy of MOther Nature. If you can time it, try to watch the weather and seed just before a rain is forecasted. That will at least help get things started.

[rcreech]

I always tell people on here that watering all the time on new lawns isn't needed. Yes it can help...but isn't needed.

I seeded 34 acres total last year and one was 11 acres. None of it was watered and it looked awesome this spring!

People land me when I tell them watering isn't needed, but I have 5 years or PROOF!

Seeding is a large part of my business, and I have a lot of confidence in seeding and letting rain take its course!

[PSUturf]

Kill the existing field and slitseed into the stubble. You'll reduce weed pressure by minimizing soil disturbance. The stubble will help prevent erosion if there is a heavy rain right after seeding.

[Runner]

Much better idea.... He did say he had some grading to do though, as well. This may have been part of the reason he wanted to till. Myself, I would advise him to stay as far away from the tilling as possible. At most, if he really HAS to till to regrade, just do as little of areas as possible. He will have thousands and thousands of weeds to contend with if he tills. Another thing he should know. If he sprays with gly (Roundup, or whatever brand), this will outweigh all the work of tilling anyway. I'll tell you another idea that has some surprising outcomes at times...Just mow it down, keep it mowed a few times, and have it sprayed with a selective. You would be amazed at how much good grass you may have out there. My brothers property was 5 acres of field. Just over a half acre was lawn area when they bought the house. Now, they have about 5 acres of nice grass - which used to be field. This is minus the 1/2 acre pond he dug.

[muddstopper]

Runner hit the nail on the head. If the field is already in grass why kill it and start over. Start with a high mowing setting and lower that setting each week until you reach the desired mowing height. You dont want to try to cut it low the first cutting because of all the clippings. You can use a selective herbicide, but consider what time of year it is fast becomeing. Most of the weedy plants will go with the first frost anyways, so you might be better off waiting until next spring before using any herbicides. In the meantime, you can overseed with your favorite grass seed to help thicken up the grass and have it well established before spring.