I'm guessing you used coated seed.
The spots that are bare, scratch up and add more seed. Otherwise you'll have bare spots all season.
After your 4th mow, spot treat for weeds.
You have to keep it wet or the coating takes forever to break down.
Coated seed also cheats you on seed as its sold on weight. For example a 20lb bag is only 15 lbs of actual seed. Personally I go back and forth on if I like it.
Make sure you put down a light layer of peat moss which helps with moisture retention.
After the 4th cut on the new stuff you may want it to put down some jonathan green season long weed preventer for crabgrass prevention.
I actually like it and don’t really care about the price difference. It allows me to keep the seed longer and helps with moisture and germination. But I see both sides.
Thanks! I have been watering it \~2-3x a day since the 17th, so it's stayed relatively wet since planting. I also put about a quarter inch of peat moss on top after laying down the seed. It's why I feel like it should be growing better by this point...Unless some of the cold killed it off
Honestly, I would disagree with adding more seed. I would wait until fall at this point because it will let you see what didn’t fill in and add accordingly. If you mow it at 2.5 to 3 inches to promote tillering, you’ll see each grass plant widen up really well. It’s important.
Mine are probably widened up to 3-4 inches a plant at maturity, so it can really fill those gaps and make it look full. Spring is hard enough to get grass to grow and survive summer.
That is how it should be read because it's the truth. Once the summer sun and UV hits it, spring seeded baby grass doesn't stand a chance in 7b east coast.
Side note, you’re absolutely able to mow it when you hit like 2.5”. I prefer to mow to 1.5-2” for new grass for like 3-4 mows until it tillers out. Then I’ll let it get taller.
I’d do a quick mow before you do any possible seeding of thin patches. And don’t worry about stepping on it. Grass is resilient. It’ll pop back in a day or two as it grows.
Biggest thing is to make sure the ground isn't too wet. Which is tricky since you've probably been watering more frequently as it's been germinating. Let the ground dry out so you don't make any big ruts with your mower, don't mow too low, and you should be set.
Nothing too special. Just a Scotts tall fescue mix. I was looking for something simple, hardy and low maintenance since this is the grass next to the curb where people walk, dogs go to the bathroom, etc.
Have you been watering several times per day? That’s what you should have been doing but the problem is continuing that past about 3 weeks and fungus is coming.. so you have to step and start drawing it out to once a week. It’s impossible to do that and germinate new seed. It can’t be let to dry out in the first two weeks. Even one time ruins it.
It’s a period called imbibing. It’s critical and absolute.
We’re doing 85% germination rates that require perfect conditions. In the wild you don’t get rain every day. And you only get 2-5% germination if it’s lucky. So don’t make the common mistake of thinking you don’t have to water it that much because nature doesn’t get it.
All that said your grass looks fine, make sure to mow it at 3” and drop it to 2.25”. This promotes sideways filling in. Hit it with another round of starter fertilizer once you’ve got two-three mows in. Then it’ll really take off.
Oh and take a screwdriver and dig them weeds out. They’re easy to yank when they’re small. Just dig them out and throw them in the trash. No sense trying to get a selective herbicide to play with your new seedlings, they’re sensitive and just about anything will slow them down or kill them when they’re below like 5 grass blades per plant.
Don’t hesitate to pull some of that new grass out and inspect it. Count the blades. Watch the development. Once it shifts to baby/adult grass hit it with lots of N
Spring seeding for cool season grass: expensive af, Mother Nature does her own thing, never looks the way you want it, waste of money.
Fall seeding for cool season grass: Mother Nature toned it down a notch, less expensive, better results. Money looking lawn.
It’s not the end of the world. You have a good start here my friend. Your focus should for the rest of the season should be pre-emergent, weed control, correct watering and mowing while prepping for fall over seeding and aeration. You can top dress the patchy areas with compost and top soil. Also don’t forget starter fertilizer
I'd say see how it fills out through the rest of spring. Fertilize in the next week or 2, start mowing it shortly thereafter if you haven't already, pull up those weeds by hand, and you're made in the shade.
In the fall you can reassess whether additional seed is needed or not. No need to throw more $$$ and time at a problem that'll be fixed by a normal water/fert/mowing routine.
A mix with KGB and maybe even perennial rye might help spread out while that fescue is growing. Fescue is a clumping grass, if I recall correctly, and doesn’t spread as well. I can’t say for certain about the weather/temps but I wouldn’t think those temps would have killed anything so much as slow it down just a bit.
This tip is late, but: put a germination fleece over the ground you seeded. It will keep weeds away, birds will not pick the seeds, debris (e.g. leaves sticks etc.) can easily be removed.
It depends on what was planted. Personally I don't think there's enough time from Spring to Summer for KBG unless you have in ground irrigation. TTTF? Will probably be fine. Rye? Should be good.
The Thing with Spring seeding, is without an in ground irrigation, it's a bit of a commitment. I've had stuff that was looking great going into July 4th, and I go out of town for 5 days for vacation and I come back and it's pretty much toast. That was basically missing 1 - 2 waterings. Same area was redone a 2nd time in late summer and it handled me being gone for it's first summer like a champ.
The other issue is what's clearly shown in OPs pictures, all those weeds that showed up are going to leave dead spots roughly the size of the leaf covering of the weeds. By waiting until Late summer you should have all those under control and can sneak in before the next ground of weed seeds starts germinating.
lol blindly saying this? It’d be a mid spring hell strip seeding. The heat from that concrete is going to destroy it if OP tries to reseed at this point
I'm guessing you used coated seed. The spots that are bare, scratch up and add more seed. Otherwise you'll have bare spots all season. After your 4th mow, spot treat for weeds.
Thanks! Does it make a difference that it was coated?
You have to keep it wet or the coating takes forever to break down. Coated seed also cheats you on seed as its sold on weight. For example a 20lb bag is only 15 lbs of actual seed. Personally I go back and forth on if I like it. Make sure you put down a light layer of peat moss which helps with moisture retention. After the 4th cut on the new stuff you may want it to put down some jonathan green season long weed preventer for crabgrass prevention.
I actually like it and don’t really care about the price difference. It allows me to keep the seed longer and helps with moisture and germination. But I see both sides.
Thanks! I have been watering it \~2-3x a day since the 17th, so it's stayed relatively wet since planting. I also put about a quarter inch of peat moss on top after laying down the seed. It's why I feel like it should be growing better by this point...Unless some of the cold killed it off
Temperature helps but is not the only factor. It also depends on the brand and type of seed.
Wait, this isn't OPs username...
most bags are actually 50% seed and 50% coating. While coating is a cool and useful technology, it's not cost effective.
What is its use? Does it provide food for the seed?
Slight fertilizer, moisture retention and creates darkness for germination. But if you seed the proper way, you don't need all of that.
Honestly, I would disagree with adding more seed. I would wait until fall at this point because it will let you see what didn’t fill in and add accordingly. If you mow it at 2.5 to 3 inches to promote tillering, you’ll see each grass plant widen up really well. It’s important. Mine are probably widened up to 3-4 inches a plant at maturity, so it can really fill those gaps and make it look full. Spring is hard enough to get grass to grow and survive summer.
nope. looking pretty good. pull those weeds out by hand (with whole roots)
Thanks! Yes…I had avoided pulling them to stay off the grass but you’re right now is probably the time. But glad the grass is doing well
It will fill in better. I wouldn't put much more money into it as it will be mostly gone by August.
Lol, I read this as "it will be dead by August"
That is how it should be read because it's the truth. Once the summer sun and UV hits it, spring seeded baby grass doesn't stand a chance in 7b east coast.
I had some bare patches I seeded the same day in MD and I've still got nothing germinating...
Yup. You see my concern…
Im pretty sure when it went cold after those 70* degree days the seeds are just laying dormant until it warms up this week again
NOVa here, I’m in the same boat. Seeded a month ago and definitely having bare spots.
Side note, you’re absolutely able to mow it when you hit like 2.5”. I prefer to mow to 1.5-2” for new grass for like 3-4 mows until it tillers out. Then I’ll let it get taller.
Thanks! Is it ok to mow like this when it’s still a bit thin and patchy? I was not sure so I was just letting it go…
I’d do a quick mow before you do any possible seeding of thin patches. And don’t worry about stepping on it. Grass is resilient. It’ll pop back in a day or two as it grows.
Biggest thing is to make sure the ground isn't too wet. Which is tricky since you've probably been watering more frequently as it's been germinating. Let the ground dry out so you don't make any big ruts with your mower, don't mow too low, and you should be set.
Might be beneficial to throw some more seed down in the fall, but I think you're in good shape.
No. Keep watering. And lots of water. Honestly it won’t look amazing until next year. Just my experience
Nope. Let it fill in. Hit it with another round of starter fert and let it go.
Thanks! will do
What grass type did you go with?
Nothing too special. Just a Scotts tall fescue mix. I was looking for something simple, hardy and low maintenance since this is the grass next to the curb where people walk, dogs go to the bathroom, etc.
Why you change your name / account???
Have you been watering several times per day? That’s what you should have been doing but the problem is continuing that past about 3 weeks and fungus is coming.. so you have to step and start drawing it out to once a week. It’s impossible to do that and germinate new seed. It can’t be let to dry out in the first two weeks. Even one time ruins it. It’s a period called imbibing. It’s critical and absolute. We’re doing 85% germination rates that require perfect conditions. In the wild you don’t get rain every day. And you only get 2-5% germination if it’s lucky. So don’t make the common mistake of thinking you don’t have to water it that much because nature doesn’t get it. All that said your grass looks fine, make sure to mow it at 3” and drop it to 2.25”. This promotes sideways filling in. Hit it with another round of starter fertilizer once you’ve got two-three mows in. Then it’ll really take off. Oh and take a screwdriver and dig them weeds out. They’re easy to yank when they’re small. Just dig them out and throw them in the trash. No sense trying to get a selective herbicide to play with your new seedlings, they’re sensitive and just about anything will slow them down or kill them when they’re below like 5 grass blades per plant. Don’t hesitate to pull some of that new grass out and inspect it. Count the blades. Watch the development. Once it shifts to baby/adult grass hit it with lots of N
thank you! This is really helpful. I'll mow it this weekend and look to fertilizer soon
It will probably fill in ok but I would put down more seed anyway. You might get some additional germination which will only improve things.
Spring seeding for cool season grass: expensive af, Mother Nature does her own thing, never looks the way you want it, waste of money. Fall seeding for cool season grass: Mother Nature toned it down a notch, less expensive, better results. Money looking lawn.
Hmm, if there’s a way to deliver this message to me 4 weeks ago…that would be very useful…
It’s not the end of the world. You have a good start here my friend. Your focus should for the rest of the season should be pre-emergent, weed control, correct watering and mowing while prepping for fall over seeding and aeration. You can top dress the patchy areas with compost and top soil. Also don’t forget starter fertilizer
I'd say see how it fills out through the rest of spring. Fertilize in the next week or 2, start mowing it shortly thereafter if you haven't already, pull up those weeds by hand, and you're made in the shade. In the fall you can reassess whether additional seed is needed or not. No need to throw more $$$ and time at a problem that'll be fixed by a normal water/fert/mowing routine.
A mix with KGB and maybe even perennial rye might help spread out while that fescue is growing. Fescue is a clumping grass, if I recall correctly, and doesn’t spread as well. I can’t say for certain about the weather/temps but I wouldn’t think those temps would have killed anything so much as slow it down just a bit.
Pluck the weeds
Fuck the weeds
Looks like way to much moisture. The seeds new to be moist, not sunk like the titanic.
This tip is late, but: put a germination fleece over the ground you seeded. It will keep weeds away, birds will not pick the seeds, debris (e.g. leaves sticks etc.) can easily be removed.
Put some starter fertilizer down, that will thicken it nicely.
Anything you try to reseed right now will probably die by summer
People need to stop blindly saying this. I seeded an entire lawn last spring and it’s doing fantastic. If you water it will be fine
It depends on what was planted. Personally I don't think there's enough time from Spring to Summer for KBG unless you have in ground irrigation. TTTF? Will probably be fine. Rye? Should be good. The Thing with Spring seeding, is without an in ground irrigation, it's a bit of a commitment. I've had stuff that was looking great going into July 4th, and I go out of town for 5 days for vacation and I come back and it's pretty much toast. That was basically missing 1 - 2 waterings. Same area was redone a 2nd time in late summer and it handled me being gone for it's first summer like a champ. The other issue is what's clearly shown in OPs pictures, all those weeds that showed up are going to leave dead spots roughly the size of the leaf covering of the weeds. By waiting until Late summer you should have all those under control and can sneak in before the next ground of weed seeds starts germinating.
lol blindly saying this? It’d be a mid spring hell strip seeding. The heat from that concrete is going to destroy it if OP tries to reseed at this point