Grass Seed & Seeding FAQs - GreenView (2024)

FAQs

Grass Seed & Seeding FAQs - GreenView? ›

Grass seed needs to be in contact with the soil and have moisture in order to germinate. You will have better germination rates if you keep the grass seed moist (not saturated). A protective mulch such as GreenView Fairway Formula Seeding Success, which will help to retain moisture between waterings.

Overseeding is spreading grass seed over an existing lawn. Done right, it's a straightforward process that gets results. As grasses mature, thinning is normal—especially if you enjoy your lawn and use it often. Overseeding keeps your lawn competitive and steeped in youth and vigor, without starting over from scratch.

Try your best not to walk on newly seeded lawn areas for atleast 2-3 weeks while moving your sprinkler. the plan! As above, it should be repeated. 2 or even 3 times each day is appropriate if the weather is hot enough to require it.

Very Small Patchy Areas: For tiny bare spots (think a few inches in diameter), throwing a small amount of seed and keeping the area moist might suffice. However, even in these cases, lightly raking the soil to create some seed-to-soil contact can significantly improve results.

Prepare the soil with a good watering before you plant the seeds. 6 to 8 inches is a healthy amount of water for the soil several days before planting. With new grass seed, the aim is to keep the soil moist. Waterlogged soil will suffocate the new seeds.

Whether you're repairing bare spots, overseeding an existing lawn or starting from scratch, you can generally expect grass seedlings to emerge within seven to 21 days when grown under proper conditions. It may take another three to four weeks of growth before grass is long enough to mow.

The best month to put grass seed down depends on the type of grass you have and where you live. The best time to plant grass seed for cool-season grasses is in early fall or around September. For warm-season grasses, late spring or early summer (May to June) is the optimal time.

Young seedlings are easily injured. Newly seeded areas should be restricted from foot traffic for a least a month after the seed has germinated or until the new lawn has been mowed at least a couple of times.

Will grass seed germinate on top of the soil? Yes; in fact, germination will suffer if too much soil is placed on top of the seeds. The experts at Jonathan Green recommend placing a thin layer of mulch or topsoil over them to help keep them moist and warm and promote growth.

What happens if I put too much grass seed down? ›

Quality grass seed labels include guidance on optimal seeding rates to maximize your results. Don't overdo or cut corners. Too much grass seed causes undue competition for resources such as light, water and nutrients, and grass seedlings struggle as a result. Too little seed leaves lawns thin or bare.

Very little soil is actually needed to cover the seeds, typically about ¼- inch, so simple raking will do the trick. If the seeds are not properly protected by existing grass or a thin layer of topsoil, they may dry before germination or be washed away by rain.

Grass seed needs to be protected from the elements, such as sun, wind, or rain. A thin layer of topsoil can suffice but should not be too thick; otherwise the seeds could wash away or dry out before germinating.

Before applying broadleaf weed control to newly seeded grass, you must wait until the newly sprouted grass has been mowed three times or wait at least 30 days, whichever time frame is longer. If applied too soon after grass germination, broadleaf weed control will kill or weaken young seedlings.

Seed first, then apply pre-emergent at least 6 weeks later to allow for lawn establishment. Or seed at least 3 months after the pre-emergent has been applied. Principle #2: Pre-emergent must be mixed correctly and applied evenly over the target area for best results.

Keeping grass seeds and seedlings constantly moist but not soggy is critical to successful grass-seeding efforts. Water newly seeded areas two to three times a day with a light spray to keep the seeds moist. Stop watering when puddles begin to appear on the soil surface.

Seeding in the late-summer/early-autumn period is an optimal moment to jumpstart your lawn, with moderate temperatures and rain aiding germination. To ensure successful seeding when planting in early spring, it's important to consider soil temperature and moisture levels before beginning.