Reasons why your grass seed isn’t growing this summer (2024)

FAQs

Reasons why your grass seed isn’t growing this summer? ›

'There are several possible causes that may prevent the grass seed from growing, such as poor soil quality, inadequate sunlight or water, temperature extremes, bad seed, and pests,' says Susan Brandt, Co-Founder of Blooming Secrets.

Water is necessary for seeds to germinate, but too much water can hinder germination. While watering newly planted grass seed is good for growth, overwatering will drown the new seeds, making them float to the surface instead of taking root in the soil. This is why excessive spring rains can delay germination.

Two of the most common factors that slow down grass growth are cooler than normal temperatures and overwatering from heavy spring rains. You can't necessarily avoid cooler than normal temperatures or heavy rain, but it's a good idea to look at the long-range forecast before planting.

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 right amount and timing of watering is key to growing your grass from seed. Water is crucial for plants, but overwatering can prevent grass seed from rooting into the ground. On the other hand, too little water can hinder growth and turn your yard brown. Most yards need around an inch of water a week.

Mostly, extreme temperature and lack of consistent moisture are likely causes of seeds not sprouting or seedlings withering.

Use a "mist – lightly water – deeply water" process like this: After seeding and fertilizing, you'll want to keep the top inch of soil moist until the seeds start to germinate (aka sprout). This means misting the area once a day, maybe twice if it's unusually hot out there—but don't let the area get soggy.

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.

If the seed's sprout is pushing up through the soil, it has successfully germinated. If there are no sprouts after two weeks, check the seeds. If the seeds still look the same as when they were initially planted or are covered in mold or a fuzzy texture, something has gone wrong, and they might not germinate properly.

If you plant too late, the seedlings may die (if they sprout at all). The second-best time to plant cool-season grass is spring after the soil has warmed up to 50 to 60 degrees. Usually, the soil reaches this temperature around April, so you may want to plant your grass seeds from April 1 to May 15.

Can I just throw grass seed on bare spots? ›

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 a warm temperature to germinate and grow. The ideal temperature range for grass seed is between 55-85°F (12-29°C).

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.

If conditions are less than ideal grass seed can fail to germinate. 'Grass seed needs a healthy, nutrient-rich soil to grow,' says Stacie Krljanovic. 'If the soil is compacted, lacking in nutrients, or too acidic, the grass seed may not be able to grow properly.

Grass needs ample sunlight, good soil and adequate water to thrive. Even if you water your lawn regularly, another problem could be holding it back. Grass needs about five or six hours of direct sunlight every day. So, shady spots below your trees or on the side of your home aren't a good environment for grass growth.

Sunlight. To grow, all grass seed needs some level of sunlight to produce chlorophyll and stimulate photosynthesis. When spring comes along and the tree canopy increases, less sunlight gets to the grass plants. If your shaded area receives only one to two hours of sunlight a day, you may have trouble growing grass.

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.

Grass seed is surface sown, meaning it lays and roots on top of the soil, so it does not need to be buried. It's usually broadcast over the ground with a hand or rotary spreader. For that seed to sprout, it needs good soil contact, which makes soil quality a major factor in growing a healthy, uniform lawn.

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.