Germinating grass seeds takes some patience. It can even take several weeks before the first stalks appear, during which no care errors are allowed. With the right care, germination can even be favored. In order for the grass seeds to germinate faster, however, many factors must be taken into account, such as the regular supply of water.
Seeds
The germination time is also determined by the choice of grass seeds. Basically, a distinction can be made between expensive products and very cheap seeds. In this case, the price does not have to be the deciding factor in how well or how quickly the seeds germinate. Often, even cheap seeds have the edge and need fewer days to germinate. However, a short germination time is not always a quality feature. Grass seeds that grow quickly often do not form a uniform image, which results in an unsightly lawn. A slightly longer germination period can therefore be an advantage so that the lawn develops evenly.
Note: Expensive quality seeds have the advantage that they usually have a better germination rate. This can
there is no need for time-consuming re-sowing.Sowing time
Theoretically, grass seeds can be applied all year round and even in winter. At very cool temperatures, however, the germination time is significantly extended, as the delicate green would freeze to death, although the seeds themselves are frost-resistant. For germination as quickly and evenly as possible, the soil temperature should be at least 10 ° C. Of course, there should also be sufficient moisture, as constant irrigation is often difficult, which is why it makes sense to choose those months when there is a lot of rainfall.
The ideal time is therefore in spring from April to May and in late summer from August to September. In both periods the temperatures are not yet very high, which means that the seed or the seedling does not run the risk of drying up. In addition, more rainfall is to be expected during these months, which means that additional irrigation does not have to be provided.
Tip: A warm and rainy period should be chosen for sowing. As a result, the seed usually has everything it needs and the workload
is reduced.Germination time
There is no general answer to the question of the duration of germination. It mainly depends on the quality of the seeds and the weather. This results in a time span of seven to 21 days for the germination period.
Shorten germination time
Even if the seeds should be given sufficient time for healthy development, it may be necessary to speed up the germination time. With a few tricks, the time can be reduced by a few days to a week. A faster germination time is based on three pillars:
- preparation
- sowing
- care
The better the soil is prepared, the easier it is for the seeds to develop. With an even sowing, the seeds can not only develop better, but also a nicer lawn appearance is achieved. Long-term care, especially the supply of water, can protect the sensitive seedling and promote its growth.
Soil preparation
Basically, a fine and even soil is an advantage for the grass seed. To do this, it must be prepared accordingly, for which the following devices are required:
- Spade or a cultivator for larger areas
- Rake
- Possibly. Spirit level
With the spade resp. The soil is loosened and finely crushed by the motor hoe. Then everything is smoothed out with a rake and the seeds are sown. Finally, the grass seeds are pressed firmly with a roller. In between, the surface can be checked again and again with a spirit level
be checked so that bumps are banished from the lawn if possible.In the course of soil preparation, it is particularly important that weeds and stones are removed. Stones, in particular, can become a problem later when the lawn is being mowed. Unevenness should be avoided if possible. This makes it more difficult to use the lawn later. In addition, waterlogging can form in the hollows, which can lead to the sward dying off.
sowing
After the soil has been optimally prepared, the actual sowing can begin. Care should be taken to ensure that the seeds are spread evenly. If the seeds are grown too thickly, the seeds hinder each other's growth and the germination time is extended.
Sowing can be done by hand, but it will be more even with a suitable seed drill. This also prevents clumps from forming, which prevent each other from germinating. After sowing, the seeds are pressed firmly with a roller. This prevents the seeds from being washed away by rain. In addition, the individual seeds have good contact with the soil and can develop beautiful roots.
Care after sowing
After sowing, the most important task is not to let the seed dry out. Since the germination period can take up to three weeks, the lawn should be watered constantly during this time. A lawn sprinkler is ideal for this, with which the lawn is watered once a day. However, the irrigation time should be limited to ten minutes. This prevents waterlogging and the seeds from dying off.
