Can You Put Down Too Much Grass Seed? | Jonathan Green (2024)

FAQs

Can You Put Down Too Much Grass Seed? | Jonathan Green? ›

If you put down too much grass seed, you will encourage competition that will cause your grass seedlings to struggle after germination because there will be excessive competition for sunlight, soil nutrients, and water. You'll know if you seeded too heavy when the grass grows in very thick patches.

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.

Always follow the guidelines recommended on the seed bag. Some grass seeds can cover 1000 square feet with just 1 pound, while other types need a pound for every 200 square feet. If your question is, “does a 50-pound bag of grass seed cover the area I want” then read the bag. Don't just buy a bag and hope it's enough.

If you simply toss the grass seed onto the soil, you will end up with poor germination. Thoroughly rake the area to remove any loose debris and to create grooves in the soil. These grooves will help increase the seed-to-soil contact that is imperative for germination.

Watering your new seeded lawn is not as simple as dumping a ton of water on it every so often. Too much or too little water are both unsuitable conditions for your lawn to grow. Overwatering can wash away seeds that have not yet taken root. Too little water will dry out the little sprouts and they will die.

Normally a lawn should be watered deeply but infrequently, but when you are watering for new grass seed, you must water every day. Set automatic timers for about 5 to 10 minutes, early in the morning, and again at mid-day. Watering done by hand or hose-end sprinklers must be consistent and evenly applied.

Effects On Germination Rate And Plant Growth

Failing to water grass seeds for an extended period can negatively impact germination rates and plant growth. The longer a seed goes without moisture, the greater the chance of death or dormancy before it can even sprout.

Can I Just Throw Grass Seed on Bare Spots? Throwing grass seed onto bare spots will result in little-to-no germination and will not help to repair lawn spots. If you want to fix patches on grass, you need to properly prepare the bare spots before laying down the seed.

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.

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.

How often should grass seed be watered until it germinates? ›

In general, water new grass seeds two to four times a day for 5 to 10 minutes during the germination period. In most climates, grass seed germination takes about one to two weeks. Continue to water daily until all the grass seeds have sprouted.

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.

Morning dew sticks around longer in the absence of extreme summer temperatures, so seeds get the perfect amount of moisture for germination.

When you just sprinkle grass seed on an existing lawn, it ends up just sitting atop of the soil and a lot of it may never germinate. Then homeowners end up asking the question, why can't I get my grass to grow? In reality, the best practice is to have lawn aeration performed followed by overseeding the lawn.

Normal fescue new lawn seeding rates are 5 to 10 pounds per thousand to begin with, so 15 pounds per 1,500 square feet works out to 10 pounds per thousand. It's at the top of the normal seeding rate, but that's still fine. If some smaller areas went a little higher, that won't be a problem.

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.

Thin or Sparse Grass: Can be due to too little seed being applied, poor areas of soil, or poor germination. To solve: 6 to 8 weeks after initial seeding add a thin layer of soil and apply more seed.