Does Grass Seed Get Too Old to Use? | Jonathan Green (2024)

FAQs

Does Grass Seed Get Too Old to Use? | Jonathan Green? ›

If stored in a cool, dry place, grass seed can last for two to three years, but you may not get the same results as you would when planting fresh seed. As the seed ages, the percentage of seeds that will be able to germinate diminishes, forcing you to use more seed than normal to get adequate coverage.

Grass seed germination rates decline within two to three years, but when kept in ideal conditions, it can still be viable for up to five years. Store grass seed in a sealed container in the driest, coolest spot in your home.

If you have old grass seed and you need to re-seed an area and you're unsure if your seed is viable, here are a few tests to tell if it is still good: Do the float test: Put a small handful of grass seeds in a glass or bowl of water and see how many float. If more than 80% float, then most likely your seed is good.

Look closely at the grass seed.

If it's discolored or has fungi on it, it is no longer usable and you should throw the seed away.

If the seed is planted too shallowly, it will dry out quickly and won't be able to germinate. If you think this may be the problem, dig up a small section of the affected area and check the depth of the seed. If it's too shallow, replant the seed at the proper depth and water it well.

If stored in a cool, dry place, grass seed can last for two to three years, but you may not get the same results as you would when planting fresh seed. As the seed ages, the percentage of seeds that will be able to germinate diminishes, forcing you to use more seed than normal to get adequate coverage.

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.

A germination test is the only meaningful measurement of seed viability, since it doesn't really matter how old the seeds are. If they germinate well, they're good, even if they're old. And if they don't germinate well, they're not good, even if they're fresh.

Test your grass by cutting a few seed heads in different areas of your lawn. Check the color of the seeds: If they are green, they're not ready. If they're tan, orange, or golden, take it one step further: Squeeze the seeds. If a seed feels soft and squishy (like a tiny piece of dough), then it needs a bit more time.

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.

Can Scotts grass seed go bad? ›

If stored in a cool, dry place, grass seed can last for 2-3 years. However, the germination rate (the number of seeds that will grow) will decrease over time, so you may not get the same results you would if you were using fresh seed. For best results, use fresh product and try to plant it within a year.

After you finish laying down the grass seed and lawn food, cover both with a thin layer of soil to help keep the grass seed from drying out and washing away.

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.

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.

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

Will grass seed grow if you just throw it on the ground? Definitely yes! Hand-sowing is the simplest method if you only need to cover a few spots. Take a handful of seeds and spread them over the dead patch, or better yet, involve your kids and introduce them to some basic gardening chores.

Grass seeds stored properly can last between 2 to 5 years. Humidity can cause seeds to mold or rot, so it's important to avoid areas with high moisture levels.

Some old seeds will stay good and germinate for up to 5 years or longer, while others are only viable for a year or two. On average, old seeds will still sprout for about three to four years after their “packed for” date – especially if they're stored in ideal conditions.

Does grass seed need to be covered with soil? Not really. However, covering it with straw mulch will reduce how much is eaten by the birds. If you don't want to mulch it, then a very light cover of soil will help germination and reduce how much is eaten by birds.

If you're wondering how cold is too cold for grass seed germination use our rule of thumb and check the weather reports. If the daytime temperature is below 60^°F then soil temperature is below 50^°F, making it too cold; if there is frost or still a danger of frost, then it's too cold.