Will Grass Seed Grow If Not Covered?
Will grass seed grow if not covered? Yes; but there is more to know when seeding your lawn. Grass seed is resilient. Some seeds on the soil’s surface will sprout in spite of harsh treatment, but the germination rate will diminish and you will waste your investment and hard work. Explore these lawn seeding tips from the experts at Jonathan Green.
For more than 100 years, Jonathan Green has been working to bring beautiful dark-green lawns to our clients using only the highest quality materials. Since 1881, we have been experimenting with turfgrass varietals to breed our genetically superior grass seed. We are dedicated to providing our clients the absolute best, so all of our products are rigorously tested to make sure they perform to the highest standards.
Prepare the Soil
It’s not necessary to buy new topsoil or any special form of soil to cover your newly planted grass seed. If you spend time to prepare the soil you have, your new grass seeds will sprout.
First, the pH of the soil needs to be between 6.2 and 7.o. To test the pH of the soil, you can purchase a pH tester from any local hardware or garden supply store. If the soil does not fall within this range, we recommend that you treat it with MAG-I-CAL®. This specially formulated compound treats the soil to lower or raise the pH as needed. For pH that falls below 6.2, use Mag-I-Cal® Plus for Lawns in Acidic & Hard Soil. For pH that is above 7.0, use Mag-I-Cal® Plus for Lawns in Alkaline & Hard Soil. These treatments can be applied right before seeding.
Once you have addressed the pH level of the soil, it should be loosened and aerated to promote the best root growth. This can be done with Love Your Soil®. This product is an innovation in soil treatment because it activates the microbes within the soil. Once activated, the microbes enable nutrients to be easily absorbed by the grass roots, resulting in stronger, heartier grass. Like the MAG-I-CAL® treatment, you can put down Love Your Soil® right before laying down the grass seed.
Seed the Lawn
When seeding a brand-new lawn, you should start with the best. Our Black Beauty® Ultra Grass Seed contains species diversity. All of the grasses are naturally dark green in color and are drought tolerant and disease resistant. This mixture grows lawns that are similar to what is found on sod farms.
If you simply toss the grass seed onto the soil, you will end up with poor germination. Thoroughly rake the area to remove any loose debris and to create grooves in the soil. These grooves will help increase the seed-to-soil contact that is imperative for germination.
If you want to help keep the grass seed and the seed bed moist, sprinkle Jonathan Green Top Dress™ Seedling Cover and Growth Accelerator on top. It is a completely weed-free mulch that does not have to be raked up like straw. Green-Mulch™ is completely safe and biodegradable and will disappear into the soil within a month’s time.
Next, you can use a lawn spreader to put down the grass seed. Very little soil is actually needed to cover the seeds, typically about ¼- inch, so simple raking will do the trick. If the seeds are not properly protected by existing grass or a thin layer of topsoil, they may dry before germination or be washed away by rain. When seeding an existing lawn that is thinning, raking won’t be necessary because the seeds will move between the blades of grass.
Mentioned Products
If you need more information about whether grass seed will grow if not covered, or about how to prepare your soil and seed your lawn, visit us online at JonathanGreen.com or locate your nearest independent retail store where you can always find reliable lawn and garden advice.