A: I use miracle grow garden soil to plant my grass seed all the time. I first put some down on the bare spot and then sprinkle grass seed on top and press it down. I either put a little soils on top or I put peat miss on top to keep the seed moist.
Seed starting medium needs to be very fine (ie few chunks of bark etc.) and have no added chemical fertilizers. Miracle Gro potting mix is not ideal. You'd be better off getting proper seed sowing mix, especially if seeds are small.
Don't fertilize and seed at the same time. The fert will burn the new roots formed by the seed and kill the grass. Wait until fall and fertilize.
Peat moss is the correct answer. Highway departments use straw because it is cheap and they don't care about weeds, which you will get with straw. If you're going to all the effort of seeding and watering you should do it right and lay a thin topping of peat moss over the seeds. Your new grass will thank you.
Type of Plants: Miracle-Gro is generally safe for many garden plants, including vegetables, flowers, and shrubs. However, certain plants, like succulents and cacti, may not require such high levels of nutrients and can suffer from over-fertilization.
Customers find that the fertilizer works well and produces excellent results. They find it easy to apply, allowing them to fertilize the lawn evenly without burning. The product also helps their grass grow quickly and thickly.
MG is so strong that if used incorrectly, the fertilizer will actually burn the leaves and roots of your plants (you may have already experienced this). Imagine what it's doing to the healthy bacteria, fungi and other soil microbes that are working so hard to provide the nutrients your plants need.
Very Small Patchy Areas: For tiny bare spots (think a few inches in diameter), throwing a small amount of seed and keeping the area moist might suffice. However, even in these cases, lightly raking the soil to create some seed-to-soil contact can significantly improve results.
Does Putting Grass Clippings on Bare Spots Help Grass Grow? While leaving grass clippings on the lawn during mowing (grasscycling) can offer benefits like nutrient recycling and improved soil health, it's not the most effective method for directly promoting grass growth in bare spots.
To give your new grass seedlings the essential nutrients they need for fast growth, apply Scotts® Turf Builder® Starter® Food for New Grass after you've spread the grass seed.
While it might be tempting to fertilize your lawn right after sowing new seeds, it's wise to keep these two tasks separate. Seeds and young sprouts are much more fragile compared to fully established turf, and fertilizer treatments could be too strong for their delicate growth.
Whether you're repairing bare spots, overseeding an existing lawn or starting from scratch, you can generally expect grass seedlings to emerge within seven to 21 days when grown under proper conditions. It may take another three to four weeks of growth before grass is long enough to mow.
It's best to fertilize right after aerating and seeding, allowing the fertilizer to sink into the aeration holes ensuring deeper soil penetration. Proper fertilization encourages a lush, green, healthy lawn that stands out and offers a beautiful outdoor space for relaxation and play.
As opposed to Miracle-Gro which offers synthetic NPK (Nitrogen - N, Phosphorus - P & Potassium - K) and little else, Neptune's Harvest products, made from fresh North Atlantic fish, contain vitamins, micro and macro nutrients, amino acids, and natural growth hormones.
Choose continuous-release plant granules, like Miracle-Gro® Shake 'n Feed® All Purpose Plant Food, for less frequent feeding. Sprinkle the easy-to-use, dry granules onto the soil surface, gently rake them into the top few inches of soil, then water thoroughly to start the feeding process.
You wouldn't want to start seeds in something as dense as potting soil or topsoil because that could impede those little roots. A seed starting mix also really needs to be able to retain moisture, since water is the primary element that wakes a seed up from its dormancy and encourages it to sprout.
Definitely yes! Hand-sowing is the simplest method if you only need to cover a few spots. Take a handful of seeds and spread them over the dead patch, or better yet, involve your kids and introduce them to some basic gardening chores.
Mulching for Seed Protection: After seeding a lawn, a light layer of grass clippings can act as mulch, protecting the seeds from birds, wind, and sunlight.
Remember, lawn grass seeds only need to be lightly raked into the soil, or even just scattered directly on the soil surface. Any seeds buried more than the length of the seed will have a hard time germinating successfully.
And remember that young grass sprouts can be damaged very easily if you step on them. Once you see your new grass coming in, don't forget to water it a couple of times a day, too. And mow your new grass once your 3 to 4 weeks are up.
Overseeding is spreading grass seed over an existing lawn. Done right, it's a straightforward process that gets results. As grasses mature, thinning is normal—especially if you enjoy your lawn and use it often.
The product can be safely used on all lawns, including warm season grass types like St. Augustine and Bermuda, and cool season grass types like Kentucky Bluegrass and Tall Fescue. Miracle-Gro® Water Soluble Lawn Food should be applied every 4 to 6 weeks throughout the growing season to maintain a thick, healthy lawn.
Miracle-Gro® Seed Starting Potting Mix is a great option that's designed to nurture your seedlings.
Miracle-Gro Has No Place in an Organic Garden
If you want to grow an organic garden, you should never use synthetic fertilizers. These are simply products that contain nutrients made in a lab instead of found in nature.