Grass Seed...? How long does it take to GROW?

[AKL_Megs]

... How long until it starts to grow? (Or better yet, how long until you know your yard is a lost cause? )

We have a few dead spots on our front lawn from where the snow got it. We are fairly certain this is what killed the grass, since it is where we piled the snow over the winter (we also dug up all around the yard checking for grubs... there were none).

It was already dead when we fertilized, and the rest of the grass is green as could be.

We raked the dead grass away, bought some ryegrass seed, and put it down early last week. DH's been watering it daily, and the weather has been mild.

It doesn't seem to be doing anything at all. I know these things take time, but I am impatient.

How long should we wait before we just go out and buy a few strips of sod?

 

[D&DDisney]

It takes grass a good 14 days to germinate. Especially if the temps are not that warm during the day.
One thing I found that will speed up the process is get some old sheer curtains (or buy a cheap new one). Cut to fit and put that over the area you are trying to grow the seed. Pound in stakes at the corners. This will act as a greenhouse but still allow air and water to go through. When I have my grass covered it germinates within a week. Grows better too.

Remember, always keep the seed wet/damp.

Hope that works for ya.

 

[AKL_Megs]

It takes grass a good 14 days to germinate. Especially if the temps are not that warm during the day.
One thing I found that will speed up the process is get some old sheer curtains (or buy a cheap new one). Cut to fit and put that over the area you are trying to grow the seed. Pound in stakes at the corners. This will act as a greenhouse but still allow air and water to go through. When I have my grass covered it germinates within a week. Grows better too.

Remember, always keep the seed wet/damp.

Hope that works for ya.

That is actually a really great idea! It gets full sun, so this "covering" won't kill the seed, will it?

Thanks for your response!

 

[D&DDisney]

That is actually a really great idea! It gets full sun, so this "covering" won't kill the seed, will it?

Thanks for your response!

Will NOT kill the seed. It really works well, especially in sun. Will heat up the area above air temp and protect it during cold nights. It is better than straw and keeps the seed from washing away when you water it.
My grandmother taught me this.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Go buy some sod. If you can't make it this long there is no hope.

Sod is cheap and easier to fill in with you lawn.

 

[AKL_Megs]

Go buy some sod. If you can't make it this long there is no hope.

Sod is cheap and easier to fill in with you lawn.

It's not me so much as it's DH... he keeps looking at the seed like

I am impatient because I am tired of hearing about it. If it's going to take forever, I would just like to get sod and get it done with!

I am going to try the covering. Our yard will look crazy for a while, but hopefully it works!

 

[D&DDisney]

It's not me so much as it's DH... he keeps looking at the seed like

I am impatient because I am tired of hearing about it. If it's going to take forever, I would just like to get sod and get it done with!

I am going to try the covering. Our yard will look crazy for a while, but hopefully it works!

Give it another week covered and wet. I guarantee you'll see results.
Let me know how it goes.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

It's not me so much as it's DH... he keeps looking at the seed like

I am impatient because I am tired of hearing about it. If it's going to take forever, I would just like to get sod and get it done with!

I am going to try the covering. Our yard will look crazy for a while, but hopefully it works!

Yes seed takes forever. Try it out and you can always get sod at anytime.

 

[AKL_Megs]

Give it another week covered and wet. I guarantee you'll see results.
Let me know how it goes.

Will do! Wish us luck!

 

[AKL_Megs]

Yes seed takes forever. Try it out and you can always get sod at anytime.

Can you tell my DH that, because one of his buddies told him, "Aw, that stuff grows like WEEDS! It'll be sproutin' in a couple days!"

A week later...

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

Have you ever tried to watch water boil? Yeah, it's like that.

 

[cabanafrau]

The ground itself isn't really warm enough yet for the grass seed to germinate. If I remember correctly, it needs to be 60 degrees plus to germinate.

 

[golfgal]

Did you just sprinkle it on top of the current grass, if so, it probably won't grow. Get a bag of potting soil or compost at the garden store and cover the sees with 1/2" or so of dirt. Water frequently and it should start to germinate in a week or so. I agree about the sod though. A roll or two of sod will cost less then buying seed and dirt.