Grass not growing - Ask Extension
Hello there so I did all the steps to kill old grass and plant new grass. But it’s been over three weeks and still really patchy looks awful. I wate...
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Grass not growing #872693
Asked June 11, 2024, 6:59 PM EDT
Hello there so I did all the steps to kill old grass and plant new grass. But it’s been over three weeks and still really patchy looks awful. I water three times a day. Any helpfull hints
Lane County Oregon
Expert Response
So the yard was full of weeds so i killed it with weed killer some vinegar after it was dead I had a manual thatcher and tore into it pretty well had the yard chewed up pretty good no green. Then I got lane forest products grass start laid it down about an inch inch and a half. Got the dirt flat then seeded parineal rye grass seed with my spreader. Have been watering heavy theee times a day. Weeds came up first but it’s growing good in about 40 of the yard. I just want to know what I can do. I reseeded and 4 days ago but could really use some Help.
Grass seems to grow well where we don't want it and not always well where we want it! Grass also is often slower to develop on renovated sites. You may need to overseed again to help close the gaps.
I'm assuming you waited at least 14 days after applying weed killer to plant grass seed. If it was earlier than that, it could have some negative effect on grass seedlings. Most grasses will take 5-10 days to germinate if the air and soil temperatures are optimal (air 60+ deg F, soil 50+ deg F).
Here is a helpful Oregon State Extension publication - "Practical Lawn Establishment and Renovation" - https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/ec-1550-practical-lawn-establishment-renovation
Check the following sections of the above publication:
- seeding rate (should be 5-10 lbs per 1000 sq feet for perennial ryegrass)
- light mulching - helps keep the moisture in
- irrigation - Keep the seed bed moist (water 2-4 times a day until soil glistens (not too heavy)
I'm assuming you waited at least 14 days after applying weed killer to plant grass seed. If it was earlier than that, it could have some negative effect on grass seedlings. Most grasses will take 5-10 days to germinate if the air and soil temperatures are optimal (air 60+ deg F, soil 50+ deg F).
Here is a helpful Oregon State Extension publication - "Practical Lawn Establishment and Renovation" - https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/ec-1550-practical-lawn-establishment-renovation
Check the following sections of the above publication:
- seeding rate (should be 5-10 lbs per 1000 sq feet for perennial ryegrass)
- light mulching - helps keep the moisture in
- irrigation - Keep the seed bed moist (water 2-4 times a day until soil glistens (not too heavy)
