Growing a beautiful new lawn from scratch is a cost-effective way to makeover your garden. Not only do lawns offer fantastic kerb appeal, but grass in a back garden creates a convenient spot for the whole family to enjoy while also improving biodiversity.
Whether you are undertaking a grand garden renovation or want to fill in sparse areas of grass to improve the overall look of your lawn — everything relies on the successful germination of your grass seeds.
If you've never sowed a grass lawn before, here is everything you need to know to ensure successful seed germination.
Grass seed germination: An overview
Naturally, everyone who tries to grow a lawn wants that lawn to be healthy and also grow fast.
The stage at which grass seeds sprout into grass plants is called germination, and it's important to get this right so that your lawn flourishes as intended.
Once you've selected yourlawn grass seed, you will need to follow techniques specific to the grass type to ensure successful germination.
Grass seed germination methods
Depending on whether you're a beginner or want to try an advanced method of grass seed germination, there are two main ways of going about the process.
Traditional planting - Starting with the most familiar method, planting involves cultivating and preparing the soil before distributing the grass seeds evenly. The soil is then lightly raked over so that the seeds get some coverage from the soil. The ground will need to be lightly watered twice a day for around the month until the lawn becomes fully established.
In short, the traditional method leaves germination to nature, with some human intervention to ensure optimal ground conditions. Pre-germination can also be done prior to planting to speed up germination, which we'll cover in depth below.
Stratification (cold stratification) - Stratification involves storing grass seeds at cold temperatures between 0 °C and 5 °C for several weeks, which encourages the seeds to break dormancy and germinate.
How long does grass seed take to germinate?
Grass seeds typically take between seven to ten days to germinate. The grass seed germination time can vary depending on the grass species and overall planting conditions.
What can affect grass seed germination?
Just like any other type of plant, grass seeds also thrive better when placed under optimal conditions.
The germination process is no exception, and alongside pre-germination, it can be best encouraged by optimising or considering the following aspects:
Type of grass - Grass species span the general grass seed,shade tolerant grass seed, hard wearing grass seed, and ornamental grass send. Different grass seed types have different growth rates.
Soil conditions - Cultivation before sowing seeds and ensuring good soil moisture is essential for germination and will impact how long grass seed takes to grow. Soil moisture can be improved through watering or misting the soil as needed.
Temperature - The ideal grass seed germination temperature ranges between 15-24 °C for cool-season grass and between 24-32 °C for warm-season grass. If the soil temperature is too warm or hot for the grass type, germination will be inhibited. In the UK, lawn seed should be sown either in early spring or early autumn when the soil temperatures are warm but not too hot.
Light - Grass seeds have differing light and shade tolerance. The exposure to sun or shade must be optimised to the seed variety.
Oxygen - As with all living organisms, grass seeds need oxygen to thrive, including throughout the germination process. Seeds take in oxygen during the germination process through tiny openings known as micropyles. Watering the seeds helps diffuse oxygen into the seeds.
How to speed up grass seed germination through pre-germination
One of the best ways to speed up grass seed germination is to pre-germinate your grass seeds before planting.
Pre-germination involves soaking the seeds in water for between 12-24 hours. Doing so will soften the seed coat and initiate germination. This means that when the seeds are planted, they will have already started to sprout by the time they receive nutrients from the prepared soil, which will speed things along.
Aftercare - What to Do after sowing lawn grass seeds
✅- DO water your seeds twice a day for 3-4 weeks, taking care not to oversaturate the ground while ensuring that the soil remains moist to encourage germination and overall growth.
✅- DON'T walk on your lawn for the first few weeks until it is fully established.
✅- DO overseed sparse areas with seed so that you can repair any patchy spots for a more uniform look.
✅- DON'T forget to protect against birds and pests by applying a thin layer of mulch or protective netting over seeds until germination takes place.
✅- DO maintain your new lawn withlawn treatment to prevent moss and encourage the long-term health of your lawn.
Starting a lawn from seed FAQs
Want to know more about grass seed germination? We've answered some of the most common queries below.
Does it matter which grass seed I buy?
Yes, it does, as grass seeds are different in climate, shade and sunlight tolerance, traffic tolerance, disease resistance and overall maintenance requirements. Please see our grass seed product pages to help guide your purchase.
How often do you water grass seed after germination?
It is recommended to water grass seeds twice a day for 3-4 weeks, depending on the weather. Keep in mind that the seeds need moist soil conditions but should also not be over-saturated. Think all things soil moist rather than soil drenched!
How to speed up grass seed germination time
Using pre-germination techniques such as soaking seeds in water 12-24 hours before planting can encourage fast germination.
Is perennial ryegrass good for lawns?
Yes, perennial ryegrass is ideal for lawns with its dark green leaves, which are glossy on one side.
Will grass seed germinate on top of the soil?
Yes, grass seeds will germinate if placed on top of the soil. But without raking over the soil to provide some coverage from the elements, the germination process may be slower, or the grass may grow patchy.
Can you walk on grass seed after two weeks?
Try to avoid walking on a lawn for the first 6-8 weeks whenever possible. This is because a lawn that has recently been sown will be more delicate until it has time to become established.
What are cool-season grasses?
Cool-season grasses famously include the Kentucky bluegrass. In the UK, examples of cool-season grass include Agrostis, Poa, Festuca and Lolium.
Shop grass seed at Gardeners Dream
Now you know what's involved in germinating grass seeds, all that's left is for you to purchase some top-quality grass seed mixes for your project!
At Gardeners Dream, you'll find a wide range ofgrass seeds for sale that are geared towards the British climate. Shop grass seed mixtures and lawn care accessories on our website and get free delivery on UK orders over £50.
Have any questions about your grass seeds purchase? Please contact our customer care team, and we'll be in touch shortly.
