Excessive rain can be a setback when you're trying to grow new grass, but it doesn't have to be! Best practice is to avoid overseeding a soggy lawn. Instead, wait for the lawn to dry, and check to make sure there's no rain in the immediate forecast when you plan to seed.
You really want slow steady rain over long period of time, perfect for overseeding, as opposed to torrential downpour which causes several problems and results in wasted $ on seed and maybe starter fertilizer too washing away.
If you decide to seed your lawn before top-dressing, it's best to wait until the soil is dry. Wet soil can cause the seeds to clump together and not germinate properly. If you seed your lawn when the soil is dry, you can spread the seeds more evenly and ensure that they have enough space to grow .
So, why is the rain much better than the tap water? Rain is better for grass than watering because the rain doesn't contain chlorine, fluoride, and other chemicals. The rain also typically has a better pH for the lawn, helping it grow quickly. Rain evenly coats the lawn, providing near-perfect hydration to the soil.
When it's time to plant, plant the seed. The seeds will sit in the soil until it rains, and then the grass will germinate. Waiting for rain only delays your planting time and can lower your chances of establishing a strong grass stand before winter. Plant by mid-September and drill the seed into the soil.
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.
If it's sunny, 90 degrees and windy, you should be watering at least 3 times a day. Rain is a great way to get water on new grass seed but be careful! A light rain in the morning will dry out by the afternoon. Make sure the grass seed stays damp the entire day.
What Happens If a Day of Watering Grass Seed Is Missed? Missing a day of watering in the critical germination phase can impact the health and growth of your new grass. If the soil dries out, it can halt the germination process or kill the young seedlings.
Given enough rain grass can easily grow three to six inches in a week.
Will it wash out? Should I re-apply my fertilizer? The answer not very cut and dry, but here is the bottom line: The vast majority of the time, rain after a fertilizer application is not a problem at all. In fact, it is usually a good thing.
Overseeding can help you get back to the thick, lush, green lawn you're looking to achieve. By spreading grass seed over your existing lawn, you can thicken up the thin areas and get your lawn looking terrific again. (This is different from reseeding, which is when you start over and plant a completely new lawn.)
Watering is critical! New grass cannot germinate unless it is kept moist. Once wet, it needs to remain wet or it will die, so daily watering of the seeded area is essential.
Precipitation can slowly drown your seedlings and a torrential downpour has the potential to wash away germinating seeds, damage the delicate foliage of young plants, or even knock over precious tomato plants and mature herbs and greens.
Mow the lawn prior to overseeding. Water the lawn to moisten the soil, but make sure it's not soaking wet.
Too much grass seed causes undue competition for resources such as light, water and nutrients, and grass seedlings struggle as a result. Too little seed leaves lawns thin or bare.
If you get enough water into your soil, it may start to cause the grass roots to rot. This also causes fungus to grow, as extreme moisture is the best habitat for funguses. You may notice signs of disease because yellow or brown spots begin to appear all throughout your lawn.
It's best not to overseed a wet lawn.
In conclusion, consistent watering is crucial for the growth and survival of grass seed. While newly planted seeds can survive for one day without water, it's best to maintain a regular watering schedule to ensure optimal germination and growth.
Answer: there are probably several reasons why the grass looks greener. Yes, the nitrates added to the soil helps, but so does the rain itself, especially if it was previously dry.
Lightly rake the seeds into the soil. Water thoroughly and keep the area consistently moist until the grass is established.
Normally a lawn should be watered deeply but infrequently, but when you are watering for new grass seed, you must water every day. Set automatic timers for about 5 to 10 minutes, early in the morning, and again at mid-day. Watering done by hand or hose-end sprinklers must be consistent and evenly applied.
Once you finish spreading the seed, use a rake to lightly work it into the soil at a depth of about 1/4 inch. Don't bury the seeds any deeper; grass seed needs adequate light to germinate quickly. After raking, pass over the area with a roller, which helps ensure the good seed-to-soil contact your new seed needs.
When watering a new lawn, use just enough water to keep the soil moist at seed depth. Standing water or prolonged heavy rain could ruin some of the seed or possibly wash the seed away. If overseeding a lawn where you have established grass, be sure to keep the seed moist by watering lightly twice a day.
You can still reseed areas of your lawn on a hill or sloped terrain, but you should consider adding some form of mulch to prevent the new seed from washing away. Like tall blades of grass, mulch will disrupt the flow of rainwater so that new seed is less likely to wash away.
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.