The short answer – is yes. Grass seed can grow if you just throw it on the ground, but the success of the germination will be much different compared to when you do the right preparation and sowing technique.
While the grass seed should germinate if you just throw it on the surface, you should know that there are a few negative effects of planting the seeds in this way. It could harm the speed and success of germination and may leave you with patchy and uneven coverage.
If you want to create a vibrant, thick, and lush green lawn you should follow the correct preparations and sowing guides. This can take time and effort, but the results will be much more rewarding compared to scattering seeds on to the soil.
Sowing a new lawn from scratch
When you are planning to sow a new lawn from scratch, you have the advantage of having a blank canvas to work from. You will also be able to carry out an investigation of your soil type and choose a seed that will work best for your soil. When you are sowing from scratch, you should choose a grass seed that is fit for your needs and will suit the level of usage your grass is going to get.
Preparing your soil for sowing
To ensure that you have the most successful germination possible, you should make sure that you prepare a perfect seedbed for sowing.
To do this, we recommend following these steps;
- Dig the soil over to a depth of 20-25cm
- Remove any weeds, stones, and debris from the seedbed.
- Allow roughly 2 weeks for your seedbed to settle and remove any returning weeds during this time
- Firm the ground by shuffling in small steps across the seedbed
- Rake over the soil in several directions to create an even seedbed
Before you begin sowing, you can opt to use a fertiliser. You should try our QUICK RELEASE: Pre-Seed Fertiliser which will help to increase the rate of grass establishment and help to strengthen the roots of new seedlings to come.
Sowing the grass seed
After you have completed the steps to creating the perfect seedbed, you are now ready to start sowing your new grass seed.
- For new lawns we recommend a sowing rate of 50g per m2
- We recommend using a spreader but if you are doing it by hand, use string to divide the area into sections before sowing your seed. This helps to control the amount of seed you sow.
- You should aim to sow the seed between 5mm and 10mm deep under the soil.
- Rake the soil lightly over the seed and then walk lightly across the seedbed to firm in the seeds.
- Continue to water the seeds each day (unless there is rain) to help with germination.
To learn more by heading over to our grass seed advice page.
FAQs
Let us start with the simple question, will the seed grow if it is just thrown on the ground? The simple answer is, yes.
Will grass seed work if I just throw it down? ›
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.
Can you just throw grass seed in bare spots? ›
Reseeding: Revitalizing Your Entire Lawn
This process involves spreading grass seed over the entire lawn area, not just the bare spots, to ensure an even, lush appearance. Late spring or early summer is the ideal time for reseeding warm-season grasses, while cool-season grasses should be sown in the summer or fall.
Can you just throw seeds on the ground? ›
Wildflower seeds don't need to be planted in holes; however, they should be tapped down to encourage growth. After you've scattered them over the soil, use the back of a shovel, your hand, or your foot to gently press them into the ground.
Will grass seed grow if thrown on top of soil? ›
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.
Will throwing grass seed grow if not covered? ›
Will grass seed grow if not covered? Yes; but there is more to know when seeding your lawn. Grass seed is resilient. Some seeds on the soil's surface will sprout in spite of harsh treatment, but the germination rate will diminish and you will waste your investment and hard work.
What happens if you don't rake in grass seed? ›
Raking is necessary because the seeds need to come in contact with the soil to germinate properly. Grass seed is typically spread on the lawn using a Jonathan Green Deluxe Broadcast Spreader and this does not ensure good contact between seed and soil.
Can you throw grass seed on existing lawn? ›
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.
Can you put down too much grass seed? ›
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.
What is the best way to put down grass seed? ›
Spread grass seed with a push or hand spreader (note our tips for spreading grass seed above). Next, rake it in. Mulch with a thin layer of weed-free straw such as wheat straw. As an alternative, you can use a seed starter mat or seed blanket to help keep the seed and loose soil from washing or blowing away.
Just rake the soil lightly with rake or hand fork to loosen it, scatter the seeds, and rake again to cover them. Even if the slugs get some – or most – of the plants, there should be plenty left to flower. Or you can even forget the raking and just fling!
Can seeds go straight into soil? ›
Growing from seeds indoors is one way of starting your garden. Another option is to tuck seeds directly into soil outdoors. Planting seeds this way is called direct sowing, and it is an easy process that yields great results.
Does throwing seeds work? ›
Some seeds will germinate and become successful plants if thrown on the ground. Most will not. They may have never been viable. Animals, especially birds and small rodents, will eat many.
Can I sprinkle 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.
Why is my grass seed not germinating after 2 weeks? ›
Conditions are too wet or dry
Like any seed, grass seed needs to be in contact with moisture to germinate. Water activates the enzymes within the seed encouraging them to release energy and create enough pressure for a shoot to burst through the seed coating.
What should grass seed look like after 2 weeks? ›
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.
Can you just throw grass seed on existing grass? ›
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.
Can you plant grass seed without tilling? ›
Over-Seeding: A Quick & Easy Fix
It's also an easy and effective way to strengthen your grass – without the need of tilling the soil, removing roots or removing old grass. Over-seeding gives your yard the robustness it needs to fend off weeds, pests and fungus, as well as improve drought tolerance.
Should you water right after putting grass seed down? ›
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.
What to do after throwing grass seed? ›
You must keep newly seeded lawns moist with light, frequent watering in order for the seeds to germinate. Keep the soil moist (but not saturated) until the new seedlings are about 1 inch tall. Be careful: Too much water can rot the seeds or wash them away.
