Grass seed now?

19 years ago

Helloooo! We downsized a garden bed just recently. Yeah, I know that's hard to believe. :) Can we scatter grass seed in the bare spot now? I've heard that you can even leave the seed overwinter and it will germinate in the spring. Is that true?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

cantstopgardening
19 years ago
I've been looking up grass seeding myself, and came up with the ideal time is before October 15th in our area. But a few sites said we could even sprinkle it over the snow, and it would come up in spring.
0
singingsky_z5
Original Author
19 years ago
Thanks much, cantstop! The seed has been spread. Love your name, but I'm sure ready to take a nice rest from gardening until next spring. Never had such a busy growing season before, but it was mahvelous!! The fall work is nearly done, and I hope you really enjoy the beauty of this season, too. Big smile :-)
0
Related Discussions
Grass seed timing- lower NY...
Q
Comments (1)
For seeds in general it is all about soil temperatures, not air temperature. Of course the temperature of the air influences soil temps, but soil doesn't fluctuate like the air, and the soil holds heat much better. For most cool season grasses the soil temps need to be above 50 but below 65 degrees F. The closer to 50 the slower your seed will germinate. I check soil temps using an instant read meat thermometer. Do it first thing in the morning at a depth of about an inch. Even with the air going into the thirties for a few nights you'll find that soil temps won't drop below 50 if they are around 55 like mine are now.
...See More
Purchase grass seeds now
Q
Comments (1)
Just another heads up Well, it looks like Pawnee Buttes has raised prices. We all know SummitSeed had already done that, and so did Arkansas Valley. This year's crop is more expensive than previous years, so get your seeds ordered if at all possible. Another reason is that seeding season is upon us, and that doesn't mean just us. The sod farms, ball fields, and golf courses are also renovating. They purchase in massive amounts, so any previous short supply may soon be no supply LOL. Remember, this thread was about Moonlight being in short supply. Several of you want the Magnificent 3 blend and well........ Good luck to all!
...See More
Good Time to sow grass seeds after the turf application?
Q
Comments (2)
I have Bermuda, the kind that grows vigorously and violently where I don't need it yet dies on the spots where I need it the most. Funny.... and actually ironically. I got the package of weed and feed that says it would kill white clover. However, none of them dies.
...See More
Too late to sow grass seeds now?
Q
Comments (6)
The best time to direct sow warm season grasses such as blue grama is spring. You can sow a warm season grass in summer if you are able to keep them well watered and its not too hot where you are. This is a fast growing grass that establishes quickly and easily from seed. it is best to sow the cool season grasses in fall. The Prairie dropseed needs cold stratification and is very slow going from seed. Its best to purchase plants unless you want to wait a few years for mature plants. Santa Rosa Gardens sells plugs for very reasonable, especially if you wait for their spring or fall clearance sales, although they seem to be out of it currently. Big bluestem is another one that takes quite a while to establish from seed as it spends the first year or two putting down deep roots. You didn't mention one of the most beautiful and best warm season prairie grasses of all. Sideoats Grama. It is fairly fast to establish and forms seedheads rather early so its gorgeous all summer, fall and winter. Pictures do not do it justice, a mature plant is very stiff, impressive and upright and it can get quite large. The seeds germinate in early spring and it establishes fairly fast. Another good one that adds hazy purple color contrast and light effects is purple three awn grass. Its a fine bladed cool season grass that blooms purple fading to beige all spring through summer. Comes up very easily and grows fast.
...See More
cantstopgardening
19 years ago
You're welcome ;-)
0
kellykn4
19 years ago
I put grass seed down about 2 weeks ago, have kept it watered, and nothing is growing! I used perenial (spelled wrong i'm sure) seed. Any ideas???
0
colleen_mi
19 years ago
Kelly, if it has been two weeks, you should see some sprouting any day now. I've had it take as much as three weeks, maybe a little more in this cool weather. Did you cover it with straw or anything? Can you still see that the seed is plentiful? Birds and critters will eat it up.

Also, I'm mostly organic in my yard, but I've planted grass seed with and w/o starter fertilizer, and it definitely grew better with it.

The blades are so very fine when they sprout, sometimes you really have to look closely!

Good luck.
0
DianeKaryl
19 years ago
Grass seed put down at this time in northern zones will not come to anything....its too cold. Grass seed needs temperatures that will cause the seed to sprout. In zone 6....and down....grass seed is best planted before mid September to ensure something comes up.

Not to say you shouldn't put grass seed down when the temperatures drop. Grass seed will sit, awaiting the soil temperatures to warm up and cause it to sprout.

Air temperatures has nothing to do with how a seed can work....the seed is in the ground....so its the ground soil temperature that matters. Otherwise, seed could be seen to pop up when a warm spell arrives in January. Of course, this doesn't happen...the soil is too cold.

The advantage of putting seed down now is the seed will be waiting for the first sign of soil temperatures rising and will be that much more ahead of those waiting til the good weather arrives. Snow melt will aid in giving to the ground that needed moisture to help hasten the seed.
0

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES How to Plant a New Lawn From Seed

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Choose from more grass varieties and save money over sod by starting your lawn from seed

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Purple Needle Grass, California’s State Grass

By Debbie Ballentine

The long-lived, drought-tolerant Stipa pulchra is as admired for its benefits as for its good looks

Full Story

Houzz Interview: Miss Mustard Seed’s Charming Pennsylvania Home

By Adi Tatarko

Full Story

146

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: 20 Gorgeous Perennials to Plant Now

By The Estate of Things

Take advantage of warm spring weather to create a colorful garden with blooming plants, succulents and ornamental grasses

Full Story

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Great Design Plant: Lively Fountain Grass Thrives Just About Anywhere

By Paintbox Garden

Enjoy fountain grass for its exuberant form, long-lasting color and texture for borders and more

Full Story

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Houzz Survey: See What Homeowners Are Doing With Their Landscapes Now

By Annie Thornton

Homeowners are busy putting in low-maintenance landscapes designed for outdoor living, according to the 2015 Houzz landscaping survey

Full Story

SUMMER GARDENING Great Design Plant: Pink Muhly Grass

By Annie Thornton

Bring billowing clouds of pink to your yard with this heat-tolerant, sun-loving ornamental grass

Full Story

EDIBLE GARDENS A Formerly Weedy Lot Now Brims With Edibles and Honeybees

By Mitchell Parker

Photographers transform their barren backyard into an oasis filled with fruit, vegetables, honey, eggs and more

Full Story

BACKYARD STUDIOS 12 Garden Sheds and Cottages We Love Now

By Laura Gaskill

Get inspiration from these inviting backyard spaces that house offices, guest quarters, garden storage and more

Full Story

CENTRAL PLAINS NATIVE PLANTS 10 Top Grasses for the Central Plains

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Low-maintenance grasses provide seasonal interest and wildlife habitat, and aid good design

Full Story

Grass seed now?

Comments (6)

cantstopgardening

singingsky_z5
Original Author

Related Discussions

cantstopgardening

kellykn4

colleen_mi

DianeKaryl

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Grass seed now?

Comments (6)

cantstopgardening

singingsky_z5Original Author

Related Discussions

cantstopgardening

kellykn4

colleen_mi

DianeKaryl

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

singingsky_z5
Original Author