What's the fastest growing grass seed?
Ryegrass, annual ryegrass can germinate in as low as 4 days and perennial ryegrass from 5-7 days.
Do I need to cover grass seed?
Yes, it is highly recommended covering the seed with soil or peat moss for best results.
What's the best time to plant grass seed?
Spring or fall when soil temperatures are at least 10 degrees celcius and air temperatures do not exceed 25 degrees celcius.
How often should I water grass seed?
Very often, constant moisturre is required. If the seeds are covered, 2-3x per day should be sufficient.
Seed selection.
When choosing seeds for the fastest-growing lawn, seed selection is the single largest contributing factor. For cool season grasses, perennial ryegrass is your best option because it germinates quickly (5-7 days) and is a fairly robust grass type. Annual ryegrass can also be mixed in to provide faster germination, a lower cost, and an early cover at lower temperatures; but it will only live for one season and does it look as aesthetically pleasing in a lawn. Avoid using Kentucky bluegrass or fescues, as they require more time to germinate. It’s important to note however, Kentucky bluegrass is the best base grass type for a lawn in Ontario because of its cold tolerance and thick sod-forming habit.
Grass grows best with a seed cover
To help seeds germinate quickly, it’s important to keep them moist and warm 24/7. Covering them with a thin layer of topsoil or peat moss will maintain the moist and insulated environment they need to germinate. Peat moss is the better option here because it holds more moisture than soil and has fewer weed seeds on average. It is also slightly less expensive and easier to work with for most people, in most cases applying it by hand is sufficient.
Starter fertilizer
A low dose of lawn fertilizer can speed up the germination process but this only applies to a synthetic source of fertilizer because it dissolves quickly. When using a starter fertilizer, choose one that is granulated to spread easily, most fertilizers will work so the numbers on the bag aren’t as important as the dosage. Follow the recommendations for seeding if the label has one, or apply 1/4 amount needed for an established lawn recommendation.
Phosphorus for root growth
Phosphorus is touted as the rooting nutrient but in reality, it is equally important to shoot development. It’s important to note that 90% of the applied phosphorus becomes unavailable within one week which is about the time it takes ryegrass to germinate, so there is no need to pay extra for a “rooting fertilizer”.
For bald spots
If you have only a few, pre-soaking your grass seeds overnight before planting can help speed up the germination process.
Spreading the seed at the correct application rate
When establishing a new lawn, it’s recommended to apply 6-8 pounds of seed per 1,000 square feet when overseeding with ryegrass. To overseed a lawn the recommended rate is 4-6 pounds per 1,000 square feet. You can use google earth to easily calculate the size of your lawn with the tracing feature.
When to plant grass seed Ontario.
Ryegrass will not germinate with soil temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius. Although planting grass seeds before ground temperatures reach 10 degrees won’t harm the seeds, they will remain dormant and susceptible to wind and water carrying them away from the soil surface. Furthermore, they are at risk of becoming food for hungry birds.
Cons of only using ryegrass
While ryegrass is great for fast germination, it’s important to note that it has its limitations. It will thin over time unless you’ve selected a creeping variety and it is slightly lighter in colour than Kentucky bluegrass.
Plant hormones.
For experienced gardeners, the use of plant hormones like gibberellic acid can help speed up the germination process. However, it’s important to note that this hormone should only be used on newly seeded lawns and at very low rates, as it may have unintended consequences on existing grass. Don’t overdo it!
Summary
Growing grass quickly isn’t difficult, by following these tips, you can create a beautiful, lush lawn in less time. Keep in mind that starting your lawn from seed will not happen in a day, so don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t happen right away.
TLDR
Remember to follow these steps: Selecting the right seed, and covering seeds to keep them moist and warm is important. Using a starter fertilizer isn’t necessary but can speed up the process. Pre-soaking seeds for bald spots is also beneficial. For those with experience, plant hormones can be used to speed up the process, but caution should be exercised to avoid unintended consequences.
“While using ryegrass can help speed up the process, it’s important to be aware of its limitations.”
“Consider using other grasses for a more diverse lawn if you’re willing to wait a little longer”
“If you have only a few bald spots, pre-soaking your grass seeds overnight before planting can help. (This will speed up the germination process.)”