Waiting for a grass to germinate is just like watching a suspense movie. Everypeek seems to be taking a lifetime! Where you right with your time estimate? Did all your seeds grew as expected? Now you doubt if you did it right. Various types of grass have established different growing speeds. Let us find out more about it.
How Long For A Grass To Germinate?
It really depends on what kind of grass you planted. It many take a long time but some sprouts just within a week. Below is a list of grass types with their corresponding expected germination time.
Type of Grass | Expected Germination Time | Cool season (60-75 Deg. F) Warm season (80-95 Deg. F) |
|---|---|---|
Bent Grass | 10-14 days | Cool |
Bermuda Grass | 10-30 days | Warm |
Buffalo Grass | 14-30 days | Warm |
Centipede Grass | 14-21 days | Warm |
Fescue | 7-14 days | Cool |
Kentucky Bluegrass | 14-30 days | Cool |
Rough Bluegrass | 7-10 days | Cool |
Rye Grass | 5-10 days | Cool |
Bent Grass 10-14 days Cool Bermuda Grass 10-30 days Warm Buffalo Grass 14-30 days Warm Centipede Grass 14-21 days Warm Fescue 7-14 days Cool Kentucky Bluegrass 14-30 days Cool Rough Bluegrass 7-10 days Cool Rye Grass 5-10 days Cool
You need to remember that even though you planted just one type of grass, it will not grow at the same time. Once your grass starts to sprout, expect 2-3 cm grow rate per week. If you have waited long enough basing on above guideline, try to check your soil moisture level or temperature. It may be the cause of the delay.
Significant Aspects For A Successful Grass Germination
- Water- Do you know the basic rules of watering freshly planted seeds? You just need to keep at least top two inches of the soil damp but not squishy. If you see wet puddles on the surface, that means you have overwatered it. Frequent watering the area with small amount is more advisable.
- Soil Temperature- too little moisture will dry out your seeds. Dried seeds are dead. You can’t revive it by watering. On the other hand, too much moisture will rot your seed. It will inhibit sprouts from taking the air they need to thrive.
If you like much better result, try watering the soil area before spreading the seeds. Two days advance the most is great to prevent dry spots.
This would mean also that the season is spring, summer or early autumn. Never winter! And of course, lawn must be free of moss, weeds, and diseases.
This would mean also that the season is spring, summer or early autumn. Never winter! And of course, lawn must be free of moss, weeds, and diseases.
Understanding Soil Temperatures
Let us learn more about this area for better planting success. Know that there two types of grasses according to temperature. It is the cool season grasses and the warm season grasses. It does not directly refer to the season but the area where the grass best grows.
- So, warm season grass thrives in the warm areas while the cool season grass thrives in the cooler area of the country.
- Cool season grasses are fast to germinate and sprout while warm season grasses are slower. Soil temperature is crucial if you need your grass to live. One common failure in germinating is wrong timing in spreading seeds. Seeds have an outer shell that keeps them from germinating except conditions are exact. NEVER plant early.
Reference:
- Cool season grasses- ideal soil temperature is minimum of 45-55 deg. F
- Warm season grasses- ideal soil temperature is minimum of 55-65 deg. F
If you don’t have a soil thermometer, you can use the air temperature as follows:
- Cool season grasses- ideal air temperature is minimum of 60-75 deg. F
- Warm season grasses- ideal air temperature is minimum of 80-95 deg. F
Some simple tips to help you out:
- When buying your seeds, check the germination rate on the label. This will show you the percentage of the germinated seeds according to their lab tests. Choose the highest percentage. A rating of 90-95 % is recommended.
- Each year you keep your bag of seeds in your storage area, will lessen the germination percentage by 25%. Plant them as early as possible or buy them when you are ready to do so.
- When you have stored a bag of seed long enough, test it by getting a handful and blow softly across the top. If they fly away, they are dead.
- You can do over seeding method to have a lavish lawn and fill in thin spots. This will prevent weeds from colonizing your area. Grow both cool and warm grass together.
Pre-Germination For Faster Lush Lawn
If you’re the kind that does not have a lot of patience when it comes to waiting, this is the method for you. Pre-germination means sprouting the seeds in the absence of soil. Then let it grow on soil afterward. This way, you won’t wait too long to see green grass on your lawn.
The process is so simple.
- Just put your seed in a burlap bag, let it plungetotally in a tub filled with room temperature water. Close the lid of the tub and keep it in a dark place. Leave it. Ideal area temperature should be 67-75 deg. F.
- Daily, get the bag and drain for an hour. Replace fresh water in the tub and place the bag again, close the lid and back to the dark area. Do this for a week.
- On the 7th day, check for sprouts. If there are, get the bag out and let it drain well. Tip the water from the tub and replace it with compost or sand. Scatter the seeds all over and let it dry for an hour.
- Blend the seeds with all the sand or compost. Spread it all over your prepared area. Use a rake to allocate it evenly. Water just when needed and in a few days, you will have a green lawn.
So now you know how long for grass seed to germinate. It is not as simple as you think, is it? It involves a lot of factors to get there. Follow through all the tips and methods that I have provided and you will have your dream lawn.
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