The Grass Doctor

Why is my grass not growing?

Abut 2 weeks I ago I purchased Scott Low light grass seed. I raked the grass and placed fertilizer soil down and planted my grass seed. I water the seeds every day and we have had a decent amount of rain lately. I thought possibly the temperature could have been an issue, but I looked at my neighbor (I live in a town home) and her grass is growing. Any ideas? If I need more information, please ask. eek! The bag says 4-10 days. Could it be the excessive rain we received and cloudy weather? I am going to assume I am getting enough light in the area - I have solar lights that light up. I will replant tomorrow. Should I rake up the old seed? The weather for the next 4 days is a lot of sun :).

Public Comments

1. You need to cover the grass seed with a light cover of straw to keep it evenly moist until it sprouts. (The straw just disappears about the time the grass first needs to be mowed.) If you didn't, my guess is that your seed has dried after it began to sprout, or that birds and mice or voles have eaten it all, in which case you'll need to reseed. Grass sprouts best in cool spring and fall, so the temperature is probably not an issue if your neighbor's grass is doing well. You may also have burned the new sprouts with the fertilizer; it doesn't need to be fed until you've mowed it several times. Hope this helps...
2. look at the bag the seed came in. on its back will be the germination 7 to 14 days is about usual for new grass to just start emerging. some grass seed bags have sowing dates that are general. I live in zone 5 Scotts says now is the best time to sow--but the temps have been below freezing every night for the last 10 days. so give your grass another 7 -10 days to emerge. and cut down on the watering you want about 1 inch of water a week. Ohio has had 2+ inches just this week.
3. your best method of germination is as follows- get seed, bagged soil, measuring cup, take 3-4 cups of seed, put in the bag of soil, put same equivalent of water to seed in the bag of soil, mix and stir to make mush, tie the bag off at the top or twist tie it, and place the bag out in the sunniest spot on your lawn for 2-4 days and then spread the soil, this ensures proper humidity, and seed to soil contact. Then don't forget to still keep the seedbed fairly moist. for sun you probably want bluegrass or rye grass. in the shade you want cultivars of fescue
4. A trick....put bag of grass seed in freezer for 24 hours ...then put it out early morning while still cool ...9- 10 am then water.. but don't over water ...specially if it's going to rain....just keep damp....this will fool the seed to get germinating faster.....Also...A fool proof way to get seed starting Quickly ..is use Root magic Seed starter...I used it last year ..and this year on veggies it's 100 % organic ...seaweed & Humic Acid , it's not exspensive and works..... .http://tylerhomeandgarden.com/go-green-lawn-and-garden.html