The Grass Doctor

Will my grass seeds make it?

Mother Nature has duped me. I live in NH and we had a stretch of really great, unseasonably warm weather. So, I figured I'd try and plat some new grass seed. I prepared the area with a tiller and hauled in some new loam. I seeded with Scott's brand which is a blend of Fescue and then topped it with straw. I have been watering it often to keep the soil moist. All was going well until I looked at the extended weather forecast... and here comes the frost. There were two nights of minor frost just a few days after I laid the seed. Now it's about 60 during the day and mid 30s during the night. At this point I realize I should have waited at least a few weeks if not a month - lesson learned. Do these seeds even have a chance at growing, or is this a lost cause? Peat moss... never thought about that, but makes sense. Thanks for the tip.

Public Comments

1. Maybe. Grass is pretty hardy. BTW I would have used peat moss on top rather than straw. It holds in moisture and heat better than straw. But you probably are early.
2. If the seed hasn't germinated yet, you have a good chance. If it germinated and the seedlings froze, they're dead.
3. I live in CT and always reseed in the fall after the leaves have been picked up and the new seed starts growing in the spring with the old grass you are going to be fine