You purchased new grass seed, planted it, and are now probably wondering: how long does it take for grass seed to grow?
Normally it takes 5 to 30 days for the seed germination process and 45 to 60 days for the lawn to fully establish.
Grass growth rate depends on various factors such as the weather, soil, time of the year, and the type of seed.
Read on to know the tips and tricks to plant grass seeds and grow them faster.
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Table of Contents
Factors That Determine the Growth of Grass Seedlings
Temperature
Adverse weather conditions like extreme daytime temperatures hamper the seed’s growing capacity.
For regions with soil temperatures between 10 and 20 degrees Celsius, cool-season grasses grow the best.
For slightly higher temperatures, warm-season grasses grow well.
Grass-type
Cool-season grasses like Ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, Red fescue grow faster than warm-season grasses like Bermuda grass, Zoysia grass.
All of them vary in the time it takes to germinate. Generally, warm-season grasses take longer to germinate.
For example, the tall fescue variety takes 7 to 12 days to germinate while ryegrass takes 5 to 10 days.
Cool-season grass types grow best in a temperature range of 50 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (10 to 25 degrees Celsius) while warm weather grasses grow best in the range of 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (15 to 25 degrees Celsius).
Related post: How Long Does It Take for the Various Types of Grass to Grow?
Soil
Every soil is different depending on their age, pH, nutrients, and location. It’s good practice to keep the soil well-drained and free of any weeds and moss.
When planting the seeds, make sure they’re neither too deep nor too close to the surface of the soil.
How Do I Speed up Grass Seed Germination?
First and foremost, find the right seed type according to the soil conditions and air temperatures of your area.
Then, purchase the appropriate amount of good-quality grass seed to cover the intended area.
Before planting grass seed, prepare and condition the soil by adding products like peat moss and fertilizers.
You should plant the seeds during spring as spring rains help them to develop faster.
According to the University of Maryland, it is suggested planting seeds from late summer to early fall (mid-August to mid-October) because soil temperature is higher, meaning the potential yield will be higher.
With this in mind, it’s best to choose a month when the temperature is above 10 degrees Celsius.
Maintain appropriate soil moisture at all times. In the beginning, consistent watering of your lawn will help the roots develop properly.
Gradually, you can reduce the timing and frequency of watering as the grass seeds germinate.
Do not overwater your lawn; this can lead to yard fungus and other bacterial diseases – especially do not water your lawn at night.
FAQ
How Often Should You Water New Grass Seed?
Water the seeds consistently – about two to four times a day during the first week or so.
Gradually, as the seeds start establishing, you can reduce the watering frequency to once in the morning and once in the evening.
Will Grass Seed Grow If I Just Throw It Down?
Simply throwing the seed and not performing proper lawn maintenance will not result in properly developed sprouts and roots.
Even if the lawn looks fine at first, over time you will notice the quality of your lawn grass diminish.
When Is The Best Time To Plant Grass Seed?
The warm-season seeds such as those of the Bermuda and Zoysia germinate best when the temperature is above 20 degrees Celsius.
For cool-season seeds like those of Ryegrass, fall is the best time to plant the seeds.
Conclusion
Vibrant lawns provide immense gratification and if you are working to update or develop a new lawn, be prepared to put in the work.
Bottom line, depending on the type of grass you are trying to grow, it normally it takes 5 to 30 days for the seed germination process. Then up to 45 to 60 days for the lawn to fully establish itself.
Related post: Best Time To Aerate And Overseed Lawn
In order to enjoy a green and thick lawn, you’ll need to gather sufficient information on all aspects before investing in the seeds.
If you’re looking for grass seeds to overseed your lawn, we recommend this grass seed. It’s easy to spread and we’ve seen good results after just two weeks.
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Lindsey Hyland grew up in Arizona where she studied at the University of Arizona’s Controlled Environment Agriculture Center. She continued her gardening education by working on organic farms in both rural and urban settings. She started UrbanOrganicYield.com to share gardening tips and tactics. She’s happy to talk about succulents and houseplants or vegetables and herbs – or just about anything in a backyard garden or hydroponics garden.