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Grass That Germinates in Less Than a Week

Seeding a lawn is a race against time to get your healthy grass blooming before weeds can invade and take over the entirety of your landscape. Choosing a type of grass to plant in your landscape should be done with consideration to the particular growing conditions of your area, but also the quickness with which you need the seed to germinate. Most grasses take at least two weeks to germinate, but others can germinate more quickly if properly cared for.

  1. Time to Germinate

    • The only type of grass seed that is guaranteed to germinate in under a week with proper care is ryegrass. Grown as either an annual or perennial plant, ryegrass is used in many decorative applications and for erosion control in parks, golf courses and foraging areas. If kept properly moist and planted at the right time of year, ryegrass seed will germinate in five to six days. Most other grasses, including popular bluegrasses and fescues, take at least 14 days to germinate; some take as many as 28 days.

    Grass Seed Mixtures

    • Ryegrass has its drawbacks, however, and may not be suitable as a lone seed option for your lawn. While it can readily grow in both warm and cold season climates, the grass itself is fine and light. This often results in permanent damage to the grass if it undergoes constant foot traffic, animal waste or heavy mowing. For this reason, ryegrass is often combined with Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue. The ryegrass starts early and stops weeds from poking through, and the later-blooming bluegrass and fescue add resilience and thickness to the lawn for longevity.

    Sowing Ryegrass

    • Sow your grass seed in April or May to encourage warm season germination. When sowing grass seed, the goal is to get a light layer of soil overtop to encourage contact between seed and soil. Use a broadcast spreader at a rate of 5 to 10 pounds of seed per 1,000 square yards of soil. Once the seed is distributed, cover the entire area with a 1/8- to 1/4-inch layer of soil or hay to help keep in moisture and stop birds from eating the seeds. Ryegrass can also be sown as a cool season plant in September and October; but if you are using a grass mixture that includes fescue, it is better to plant early in the year.

    Encouraging Germination

    • Moisture is the most important aspect of encouraging your seed to germinate quickly. Without proper moisture, even ryegrass can take up to two weeks to germinate. The top layer of soil or hay will help to keep moisture, but you will need to water the lawn lightly at least twice per day to keep the soil moist. This is especially important for warm season plantings, when temperatures are gradually increasing by the day. Water in the morning, afternoon or early evening; do not water within two hours of sundown. Excess water that does not evaporate before the cool evening sets in will attract fungal problems.

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Growing Grass
  1. Grass Seed Ratings
  2. Fast-Growing Grass Seed
  3. Grass Seed Erosion Control
  4. Crab Grass Preventer That Won't Delay Grass Seed Germination
  5. Overseeding a Yard
  6. Grass Seed That Grows in the Shade
  7. Fastest-Growing Grass Seeds
  8. How to Pick Grass Seed
  9. DIY Grass Seed
  10. Grass Lawn Seeds
  11. Will Some Grass Seeds Grow Faster Than Others?
  12. Crabgrass Preventer That Won't Harm Grass Seed

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