Temperature – Soil temperature plays a major role in the growth of grass. When soil temperatures reach 50 degrees, grass will start to come out of dormancy and grow. Between 50 and 75 degrees, cool season grasses will grow most vigorously.
Spring seeding and dormant seedings won't germinate until soil temperatures are above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. A range of 50-65 degrees is optimal (measured at a depth of 2 inches). Once we reach this soil temperature, the process of germination will begin.
As seasons change, resources such as sunlight and ideal temperatures cause growth patterns in the grass to change, too. Grass grows particularly fast during late spring and early summer in response to adequate amounts of water and sunlight and warmer temperatures.
Warm-season grasses are originally from tropical areas of the world and, once established, are able to thrive in scorching sun and high temperatures. They grow most actively when air temperatures are warm, between 70 and 90 degrees F.
If the daytime temperature is below 60°F then soil temperature is below 50°F, making it too cold; if there is frost or still a danger of frost, then it's too cold. If it's too cold, the grass seeds will likely rot. Here at Jonathan Green we have helped people sow and cultivate lush green lawns for over six generations.
If you must mow your lawn after a frost, the best practices are to ensure that your lawn does not have a lot of moisture from snow or ice and make sure to not mow the lawn when the temperatures are below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Mowing for the last time should occur when the grass has stopped growing, which happens when soil temperatures dip below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Remember, soil takes longer than air to retain or lose heat, so cooler soil occurs after not just a cold day or two, but a good stretch of days with chilly temperatures.
Reinvigorate Your Lawn
By spreading grass seed over your existing lawn, you can thicken up the thin areas, and your lawn will start to look terrific again.
The best month to put grass seed down depends on the type of grass you have. The best time to plant grass seed for cool-season grasses is in early fall or around September. For warm-season grasses, late spring or early summer is the optimal time.
Watering on a hot summer afternoon is a horrible idea. The liquid will evaporate too quickly and may not reach your grass's roots, so heat and irrigation shouldn't go together. Instead, the best time to water grass during summer is in the morning. The ideal time for morning watering is before 9 AM.
The months of spring, that is March to May, are the best suited for the growth of grass, as in this time there are pleasant temperatures along with sunshine, which facilitates the process of photosynthesis and also ensures adequate water supply from the ground.
The four major factors that determine turf grass growth are sunlight, moisture, carbon dioxide and soil temperature. Other growth influencers include the: Amount of nutrients available in your soil. Kind of soil in your yard and its pH level.
Cut your lawn to possibly the shortest height you have all season. The ideal height is around 2 1/2 inches. Cut it too low and the grass might not be long enough to photosynthesize and provide nutrients to the roots. Too high and the frost might become matted after a snowfall.
Shaded grass grows more slowly than grass in sun. While fertilizer can spur growth, stressed grasses can't handle the same amounts as healthy, sun-fueled lawns. Similarly, slow-growing grass generally needs less water. However, competing trees roots can limit available water and nutrients.
Previously, it was believed that no grass growth whatsoever occurs during the whole night. Recent studies on the growth cycle of grass have concluded this to be somewhat untrue. Most grass growth occurs during daylight, when it is undergoing photosynthesis, but it will still grow in the evening time.
Once temperatures reach 77 degrees, it becomes too hot for root growth, and root growth ceases. When temperatures reach 90 degrees, it becomes too hot for shoot growth and the grasses stop growing and begin to fall dormant, with the surface grass turning a brown hue.
If it pushes down 6 to 8 inches without much resistance, you have the proper water saturation. Water new grass seed for 5 to 10 minutes immediately after planting to gently moisten the first several inches of soil.
Grass seed is surface sown, meaning lays and roots on top of the soil, so it does not need to be buried. It's usually broadcast over the ground with a hand or rotary spreader. In order for that seed to sprout, it needs good soil contact, which makes soil quality a major factor in growing a healthy, uniform lawn.
With new grass seed, the aim is to keep the soil moist. Waterlogged soil will suffocate the new seeds. It is best to water the grass seedlings 2 to 3 times a day for about 5 to 10 minutes each time. This way you replace any water that has evaporated without oversaturation.
Seeding to Revive Dead Grass
Seeding a dead lawn is effective but is also the slowest option. You will need to prepare the soil by removing the dead grass and then enriching the soil ahead of laying down new seeds. After the seeds are planted, you will need to fertilize and nurture your grass until it reaches maturity.
Angelov points out that the grass lawn is made up of millions of tiny individual plants that are matted together. “When the seed germinates, it spreads the root down,” he says. “Each seed shoots up one blade of grass, and then they spread like a carpet.”
Yes, you can seed over dead sod in a process called overseeding. Instead of going through the trouble of uprooting the entirety of the dead sod, you can utilize it to regrow new grass instead. When you seed a dead lawn grows new grass in three to four weeks time.
In addition, compacted or waterlogged soil can make it difficult for roots to spread and absorb nutrients. The grass will appear to grow very slowly, which gives rise to a patchy and unhealthy lawn. Soil pH is another factor that can affect lawn growth.
Temperature – Soil temperature plays a major role in the growth of grass. When soil temperatures reach 50 degrees, grass will start to come out of dormancy and grow. Between 50 and 75 degrees, cool season grasses will grow most vigorously.
If the grass is too wet, you shouldn't mow and if it's too dry you shouldn't either. Remember, mowing is a stressful event for your lawn. If you mow when it's already under stress, such as during dry spell or drought, then it will become even more stressed. You don't like to be stressed and neither does your poor lawn.