How to Soak Lawn Seed in Tea

Planting a lawn from seed is the least expensive way to enhance your home or garden landscape with a new lawn. Presoaking grass seeds in a tea solution before sowing will allow them to pre-germinate, drastically speeding up the germination time. Tannins in the tea soften the seed casing, increasing chances of sprouting. Taking the time to presoak grass seed in tea before planting accelerates the germination process, cutting down the amount of time needed before a new lawn fills in.

2 teabags of black tea
2 cups boiling water
Large glass or ceramic bowl
Bucket
Grass seed
Water
Newspaper
Slotted spoon

Instructions

- 1
  Place teabags in the large bowl, without opening them. Pour boiling water over the teabags and allow to steep until the water is cool to the touch. Remove the teabags.
- 2
  Pour the grass seed into the bucket, leaving room to add the tea. Add the brewed tea to the grass seeds and add more water until the grass seeds are barely covered.
- 3
  Cover the top of the bucket loosely with newspaper. Move the bucket to a cool location where it will not be disturbed. Allow the grass seed to soak in the tea solution for up to five days.
- 4
  Cover the floor of a garage, shed or enclosed outside work area with a thick layer of newspaper. Remove the grass seed from the bucket with the slotted spoon and spread in a thin layer on the newspaper to dry. Plant the grass seed when it is just barely dry.

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