How long for grass seed to germinate?

Discussion in 'Lawns' started by beany_bot, May 13, 2010.

  1. beany_bot

    beany_bot Apprentice Gardener

    Joined:
    May 5, 2010
    Messages:
    2
    Ratings:
    +0
    Simply put how long does grass seed take to germinate.
    It just an All purpose lawn mix. type you buy boxed in dobbies or what have you
    Mine has been down a week now and no sign of germination, I have been keeping it moist but it has been rather cold this week (1-10degrees C)
     
  2. Marley Farley

    Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    Messages:
    30,589
    Occupation:
    Grandmother Gardener Councillor Homemaker
    Location:
    Under the Edge Zone 8b
    Ratings:
    +14,123
    Hi beany-bot & [​IMG]... It usually takes 7to10days but as you say it is very cold at nights again now at present which will slow it right up I think.. I would be patient for a bit longer yet.. Don't water when it is this old at night.. If no change when the weather warms back up again then I would re-seed again... Gras is tough stuff stuff once established but the seed is not keen on cold weather.. :thumb: Hope that is some help..!!
     
  3. roger06

    roger06 Gardener

    Joined:
    May 17, 2009
    Messages:
    85
    Ratings:
    +5
    I've been repairing some patches and they're only showing signs of growth three weeks on...
     
  4. NeilC

    NeilC Gardener

    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2009
    Messages:
    57
    Ratings:
    +0
    Normally 10 days this time of year. You will be surprised that one day it looks bare and the next you will see a green haze. Don't panic.
     
  5. Melinda

    Melinda Gardener

    Joined:
    May 28, 2010
    Messages:
    1,004
    Location:
    Lahndan Tahn
    Ratings:
    +437
    Am I ok to ask a similar question on this thread? Seems silly to start a new thread for same topic.

    Lawn watch: Day 8!
    Tomorrow will be day 8 waiting for my new lawn to appear!

    While Im waiting I wanted to ask about the seed bed.

    I have taken great care to prepare it thoroughly, it has been double dug (it was a paved area for a great many years), compost added, left fallow and weeded. Raked, raked and raked again and fed with growmore a week before sowing.

    Im continuing to fish out the small stones which keep appearing every time I put the sprinkler on.

    Question, am I ok to walk over it? Its a heavy clay loam and I cant help thinking that me tramping back and forth hindering germination.
     
  6. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

    Joined:
    Jun 3, 2008
    Messages:
    30,684
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Surrey
    Ratings:
    +45,634
    Best not to walk on it until the seed has germinated and established itself.
     
  7. Melinda

    Melinda Gardener

    Joined:
    May 28, 2010
    Messages:
    1,004
    Location:
    Lahndan Tahn
    Ratings:
    +437
    Thanks for the prompt response and the advice!

    It seems like I would have been better served joining up a week ago :)

    If there is still no sign tomorrow- should I give it a light raking?
     
  8. father jack

    father jack Apprentice Gardener

    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2010
    Messages:
    17
    Ratings:
    +0
    Hi

    once you ruffed up the bare patches with a rake and spread the seed did you cover it with lawn sand or compost? if so lightly rub your finger over a small patch and see if there's any signs of life

    a few days ago i did this and to my suprise the grass had lifted a small 1 inch peice of compost off the ground it was like a small top hat so it might be doing the same as mine and just taking its time
     
  9. Melinda

    Melinda Gardener

    Joined:
    May 28, 2010
    Messages:
    1,004
    Location:
    Lahndan Tahn
    Ratings:
    +437
    It was covered in garden soil, still no sign of any grass :(

    How long does grass seed remain viable in a box under the stairs?!
     
  10. Melinda

    Melinda Gardener

    Joined:
    May 28, 2010
    Messages:
    1,004
    Location:
    Lahndan Tahn
    Ratings:
    +437
    *Geordie accent*

    Dia 10 of Melinda's Grass Vigil.

    5 anorexic blades of grass have appeared.

    And she does a victory dance around the garden.

    Hurrah!
     
  11. Melinda

    Melinda Gardener

    Joined:
    May 28, 2010
    Messages:
    1,004
    Location:
    Lahndan Tahn
    Ratings:
    +437
    Day 12- we are up to 14 bits of grass.

    *whistles*
     
  12. Melinda

    Melinda Gardener

    Joined:
    May 28, 2010
    Messages:
    1,004
    Location:
    Lahndan Tahn
    Ratings:
    +437
    Day 406.

    Look at this and weep all of you with beautifully striped bowling greens.

    [​IMG]

    Yes, I can feel your envy from here.
     
  13. roger06

    roger06 Gardener

    Joined:
    May 17, 2009
    Messages:
    85
    Ratings:
    +5
  14. Melinda

    Melinda Gardener

    Joined:
    May 28, 2010
    Messages:
    1,004
    Location:
    Lahndan Tahn
    Ratings:
    +437
    Turf?! Hold on now, lets not be hasty- it greening up!

    Im not saying you could see it from a third floor window, but it'll thicken up. Eventually.

    Ahem.

    [​IMG][​IMG]

    This whole thing has been an exercise in patience for me!
     
  15. Doghouse Riley

    Doghouse Riley Head Gardener

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2009
    Messages:
    3,677
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    "Pleasantly unemployed."
    Location:
    The Tropic of Trafford, England.
    Ratings:
    +4,411
    "It's a known fact" that grass seed on bare lawn patches will "just sit there" whilst small clumps of grass in nearby borders will steadily appear.

    I do quite a bit of "transplanting." If a small bare patch appears on my lawn, usually through the actions of a squirrel or a bird, I look for one of these tiny clumps in the borders that can appear every few days at this time of the year, lift it, make a small hole in the lawn and poke it in. Much quicker to establish itself than the grass seed I put down.

    Of course, if you play golf, a few swings with a lob wedge in the light rough will produce some divots... But you mustn't steal golf courses.
     
Loading...

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice