Question
QUESTION: Hi Tom.  My wife got some advice from you, previously and was very peased.  One thing we are still having trouble with, though, is our lawn (or lack there of).  As encouraged to do, we sowed grass seed in our fescue lawn in NC, at the beginning of Feb.  (Although Feb. isn't the recommended time, we are in a drout situation ,and are trying to fill in bare spots).  This is what we did:  We took a rake and roughed up the bare places, and then used a rotary spreader with Scotts Turf Builder seed to go over our lawn.  We put it on the setting that is between the overseeding setting and the new lawn setting.  We did this the day after heavy showers, so that the ground would be moist.  Well, it is March 12th, and the seed never germinated.  We can't figure out why.  Were we supposed to cover it with straw?  Did the freeze kill it?  Did we do something wrong.  We would like to try ONE more time this weekend and do it the right way, so hopefully, we can fill in our lawn so it won't be quite so prone to weeds.  Are we too late to do that?  Can you please help us?  Thanks!

ANSWER: Daniel:

From your description, you have done everything correctly.

No, the freezing does not kill grass seed.  We may have imposed drought standards, but NC has had plenty of rain.  The environment is not in drought, only meager water supplies for urban areas.

I sowed seed in February also, second week.  It has not come up either.  Optimum temperatures are between 50 and 70 deg F in daytime for two to four weeks.  We are just now approaching these temps.  The seed is attaining proper moisture, but will not grow until it is ready.

If you doubt, put down some more seed.  A little straw or compost on top will help to keep moisture constant.

Best wishes.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for your help.  It encourages me to know that you know what you're doing and yours hasn't yet sprung up, either.  Well, we can actually see the seeds in the dirt still, just like when we first sowed them.  Is that normal?  The County Extension Office told me that it is possible that because the seed went a couple of weeks without significant moisture, that it could have killed the seed.  Do you think that is probable?  They also told us we might not have had enough seed/soil contact and encouraged us to rent a slit seeder to rough up the dirt.  Our problem is, our barespots are in the midst of thick areas, too, and we don't want to dig up the good grass, and the machine is $50.00 to rent, and at this point, we're not sure our grass planting will be successful.  Will you please tell us, step by step, what you recommend, given our conditions we described?  If we do decide to try seeding one more time, to be safe, how should we do it?  It's confusing, because our lawn was originally sod, and so many of the bare places are stripes through our lawn, and many places aren't completely bare, but very thin-- so we want a grass that will fill in these areas, but we don't want to dig too much and ruin the good grass.  Thanks so much for your time.

Answer
Daniel:

What you have done is correct.  As I said before, I may put down some more seed if I were concerned.  If the bare areas are strip between sod plates, then, they could not be too large and any seed you apply will be trapped by existing sod and not wash away.  Further, if the seed is in contact with the soil, that is enough for germination.  Read answer above again about temperatures.  They are just not becoming proper for germination.  The seed rarely dies in such a short time.

If you wish, apply a small layer of compost, 3/8 inch, over the seed to hold moisture.  Then, brew a cup of camomile tea to calm your nerves and sit down to watch your favorite program on TV, listen to your favorite radio station, or read the paper.  You have done all that can be done.  And congratulate yourself when the grass comes up.

Best wishes.