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Why Won’t My Grass Seed Germinate? (+ Solutions)

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Once you’ve put your grass seed in the ground, the period it takes them to sprout and germinate can feel like watching a pot. As the common saying states, it never boils, and if you make certain mistakes during your planting seasons, the seeds can keep you in suspense for weeks.

That is several weeks of just waiting to ascertain whether you planted them the right way or if the growing conditions even support successful germination.

See, grass seed germination isn’t a complex process, but lots of factors affect the successful growth (or lack thereof) of these seeds. With that in mind, this guide will detail several reasons “Why Won’t My Grass Seed Germinate” as you were expecting.

Why Wont My Grass Seed Germinate 1
Patchy grass from seed – via Reddit

Why Won’t My Grass Seed Germinate

Be Mindful of Pests

First and foremost, if you’ve tried seeding several times in the same area but nothing is germinating, your answer could be small pests hiding in the ground. Note that some areas of your home are more prone to insects and pests than others. For instance, be wary of planting your grass seed near wooded areas.

Why? Well, wooded areas are usually populated with wildlife that loves preying on your freshly planted grass seed. A trick I recommend if you have to plant near wooded areas is to place down baits for your predators.

Too Much Rain

Due to unpredictable weather and heavy rainfalls, your grass seeds might have been washed away by the rains. Usually, the rain will move the seeds to the lowest spots of your lawn or garden and leave the high spots with little to no germination.

So, if that’s what has been occurring in your case, tilling the replanting the seeds could help you attain your desired lawn results. Just ensure that you water the area sporadically, so the seeds aren’t swept away before they germinate.

Avoid Dry Grass Seeds

Although too much water may be detrimental to the organized germination of your grass seeds, letting your grass seeds dry out due to under watering and poor planting practices is equally dangerous.

The goal when planting your grass seeds is to ensure they’re not left on the surface, as this is what will cause them to dry out too fast.

Instead, cover your grass seeds using a layer of dirt, as this will permit them to stay moist and absorb their much-needed nutrients from the soil.

In addition to that, if you won’t be able to water the area you’ve planted your seeds several times each day, you’ll need to provide a partial shade to help the soil dry slower.

Why Wont My Grass Seed Germinate 2
via Reddit

You Might Have Missed An Area

When planting grass seeds, it is extremely common for spreaders to miss several areas.

With that in mind, if you’ve been watching the affected sites for up to seven days and still there is no germination, then it’s a sign that the spots were either missed or the person laying the seeds faced other complications. This is particularly true if seeds planted in nearby areas germinated perfectly.

The best way to avoid this issue is to thoroughly follow up to the site, carry out your own inspection, and ensure that the grass seeds have been evenly spread across the area.

You Planted Without Regarding Proper Timing

Speaking from experience, I know how hard it can be not to go ahead and resolve a patchy lawn in front of your law firm, office, or office as soon as an issue arises.

That said, you will still need to hold off replanting seeds in the area until the proper time. Proper timing in the realm of grass planting is essential for greater success.

With that in mind, grass seeds growth phases occur in several seasonal cycles, which generally vary depending on the region. As a general rule of thumb, you want to time your grass seed projects and ensure they coincide with their respective growing cycles.

Take the United States, for instance. Here, fall is the best season for planting grass seed. Furthermore, cool-season grass seeds, such as tall fescues and Kentucky Bluegrass, tend to peak in growth during this same season, thanks to the climatic conditions present at the time.

Properly timing when you plant your grass seeds also results in less input of maintenance and resources.

You Skipped Soil Tests and Recommendations

When it comes to improving your grass seeding success, it’s essential to confirm beyond a reasonable doubt how the soil you’re planning on planting the seeds reacts to specific conditions.

In addition to that, understanding the soil’s PH as well as the nutrients grass seeds require to germinate permits you to appropriately pick the right resources you need to achieve your dream lawn.

Soil testing, for instance, eliminates guesses and offers you the precise answers you need regarding what products you should acquire. Note, though, that you’re advised to carry out soil testing through reputable soil laboratories.

Applying the recommendations you received from the soil lab also helps you avoid unnecessary setbacks and obstacles.

For instance, when I first planted grass seeds, and they failed to germinate, I learned that since I did not know the health of the soil in my home, I had accidentally used fertilizers that harmed the grass seeds’ growth rather than help them.

Planting the Wrong Grass Seed

There are wide ranges of grass seeds, and each one has its own tolerance levels and preferences. Finding the right grass variety for your soil is vital to ensure they not only germinate but that the area achieves your desired look (eventually.)

Grass varieties best suited for sandy soil also exist, so only go for varieties that grow for your region’s conditions if you want a natural advantage.


Final Thoughts

Even though insufficient moisture is the most common reason your grass seeds won’t germinate, there are many different explanations for why you may face such complications. I hope this guide has been able to help you answer your difficult question and offer you a solution.