How to Grow Grass Seed
Growing grass from seed is a great way to make your property look beautiful. A freshly cut, uniform green lawn can make a house feel like a home. Walking out in the warm afternoon barefoot and feeling the soft grass cradle your feet can brighten just about anyones day. By researching seed types and knowing what type of lawn preparation you are ready to do, growing grass seed can be an easy weekend project.
Seed Needs
There are four main things grass seed will need to germinate properly and grow into a luscious lawn: Moisture, warmth, oxygen, and light. The seeds need to have enough moisture throughout the process. Too much, the seeds may rot. Too little, and they can dry out. You will want to plan on watering regularly to keep the soil damp. The soil temperature varies with the grass you are planting, so make sure to check with what your seed thrives in. Remember soil temperatures are usually cooler than air, because the moisture evaporating has a cooling effect. Always consider the oxygen the seed will be getting. Too much water or a compacted ground can keep grass from properly breathing and growing. While all areas of your lawn appear to get daylight, direct sunlight is needed for strong growth. Make sure you know the kind of light your lawn gets when selecting a seed.
Planting on Bare Soil
If you are able to till the area and plant on a prepared seed bed, you will get the best results. By tilling and killing all the other weeds and adult plants, the seeds won't have to compete for food, water and sunlight. The tilled area will also be refreshed with oxygen. However, the main drawback here is that you have to till up an entire lawn area, and you will have a bare dirt patch until the new grass can establish itself. Make sure to cover the lawn with straw if you chose this route to protect the new seedlings.
Planting on Existing Grass
While planting on existing grass is some what harder, it is what most people do to refresh a lawn. The key is to increase the soil/ grass contact. Try seeding at a higher rate, or aerating the grass to help soil contact. Even simply raking the area to remove dead mater before seeding can help the seeds take root. The key is to give good access to soil, with some species like rye grass growing just by having surface contact.
