Grass germination moisture level - Ask Extension
What is the ideal soil moisture content for grass seed germination. I have looked online but cannot find any information for grass germination. All I ...
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Grass germination moisture level #880974
Asked August 10, 2024, 8:52 PM EDT
What is the ideal soil moisture content for grass seed germination. I have looked online but cannot find any information for grass germination. All I can find is stuff like “keep the soil moist” but since i have soil moisture sensors (both analog and digital) am looking for a number. Let me know if there is one number for all grasses or if it varies by type (fescue, blue, etc.)
Thanks much,
Phil ( An ‘88 Terp)
Fairfax County Virginia
Expert Response
Hello Phil,
We recommend that you check with your local Extension service (probably Virginia Tech), but UMD does not have moisture sensor data for this aspect of lawn care in home settings. Moist to the touch (at or near the surface for germinating seed, and a few inches below the surface for established turfgrass) is usually sufficient for home lawn irrigation. (Perhaps an agent at either University that specializes in turf care on sod farms, or an irrigation specialist, would have more specific information, but we are not aware of local research on this subject.)
Miri
We recommend that you check with your local Extension service (probably Virginia Tech), but UMD does not have moisture sensor data for this aspect of lawn care in home settings. Moist to the touch (at or near the surface for germinating seed, and a few inches below the surface for established turfgrass) is usually sufficient for home lawn irrigation. (Perhaps an agent at either University that specializes in turf care on sod farms, or an irrigation specialist, would have more specific information, but we are not aware of local research on this subject.)
Miri
Thank you for the information! I appreciate it.
You're welcome.
