Don’t Wait for Rain | GO Seed (2024)

FAQs

Should you put down grass seed before rain? ›

Look out for an unusual cold snap, heat wave, or significant wind and rain events. While a good soaking can help seeds germinate, a downpour can cause seeds to erode or migrate. It is best to plant grass seed before a steady rain, not right before or after a heavy one.

In conclusion, consistent watering is crucial for the growth and survival of grass seed. While newly planted seeds can survive for one day without water, it's best to maintain a regular watering schedule to ensure optimal germination and growth.

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.

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

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.

Water in the early morning and late afternoon, before and after the worst heat of the day. This will allow the water to seep into the soil before evaporating and also helps to conserve water. Avoid watering at night because the water will sit on the grass for too long and promote the growth of mold.

What Happens If a Day of Watering Grass Seed Is Missed? Missing a day of watering in the critical germination phase can impact the health and growth of your new grass. If the soil dries out, it can halt the germination process or kill the young seedlings.

Grass seed is past its best

'Germination failure could be because the seed wasn't stored properly and got wet or moldy,' says Rhys Charles. 'If the seed is old or has been exposed to moisture, it may not be viable anymore. Try storing the seed in a cool, dry place and see if that makes a difference.

When watering a new lawn, use just enough water to keep the soil moist at seed depth. Standing water or prolonged heavy rain could ruin some of the seed or possibly wash the seed away. If overseeding a lawn where you have established grass, be sure to keep the seed moist by watering lightly twice a day.

A healthy lawn starts with ensure the seed is securely in the soil. Use the back of a plastic rake or a hoe to gently work the seeds into the soil. “You're not pushing the seeds in,” Angelov explains.

Can you 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.

Seeding a dead lawn is effective but is also the slowest option. You will need to prepare the soil by removing the dead grass and then enriching the soil ahead of laying down new seeds. After the seeds are planted, you will need to fertilize and nurture your grass until it reaches maturity.

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.

Is too much rain bad for grass seed? Typically, yes. Heavy rain often leads to soil erosion, which means the top layer of soil is worn down by water. If you seed right before a rainstorm, your fresh grass seed could get washed away through erosion.

In general, ten minutes of watering per session (morning and evening) will provide enough water to keep the top couple inches of soil moist. As your new grass seed grows and flourishes, you can water deeper and less frequently – this will encourage established grass roots to extend deeply into the soil.

Heavy rain can dislodge seeds (especially small ones, like lettuce), reduce the necessary air pockets in your soil for seed respiration, and promote fungal issues like damping off (which can prevent germination, kill germinant plants, and lead to low quality in the survivors).

When watering a new lawn, use just enough water to keep the soil moist at seed depth. Standing water or prolonged heavy rain could ruin some of the seed or possibly wash the seed away. If overseeding a lawn where you have established grass, be sure to keep the seed moist by watering lightly twice a day.

Sow some right before the promised rain and another batch right after the rain so both batches of seeds can lodge in moist soil from the first rain and then get another sprinkling with the next rain to settle the seeds in even further.

Simply insert a long screw driver into the ground. If it pushes down 6 to 8 inches without much resistance, you have the proper water saturation. Water new grass seed for 5 to 10 minutes immediately after planting to gently moisten the first several inches of soil.