Of course, you can spread grass seeds all around your backyard to grow. But this is not the correct procedure to seed your yard.
Few grass seeds might grow without any necessary steps, but few never look beautiful. Simply spreading grass seeds will not give you any good results other than throwing money down the toilet.
Grass seeds are the food of the birds. If not covered, your seeds will ultimately start disappearing, and few will grow which will be looking weird and unwanted. Adding mulch above the spread grass seeds is essential. It is a protective layer for the seeds.
Tip – Remove all the existing grass from the lawn before spreading the seeds (if any). It enables the seeds to stay more protected.
Will Grass Seed Grow if Not Covered?
Yes, it will grow but covering the seeds with a mulch helps grass seeds to stay moist and grow in a uniform and healthy manner. It is all your choice what kind of lawn you want to create!
Will Grass Seed Grow if Just Thrown to the Ground?
Of course, grass seeds will grow if only thrown to the ground, but the rate of germination would be much lower than the usual rate of growth. Once again, it is your decision what you want to do with your lawn.
If not covered with soil, the roots below will be facing a hard time establishing themselves and eventually might result in death.
You can never get the best results if you do not follow the necessary steps as grass seeds need a lot of care beyond your or my imagination. Your grass seeds will not germinate properly if not taken proper care of.
Germination
Germination is a process of development of a plant seed sprouting. The procedure may take 1 or 2 weeks to emerge. Here in this process, seeds need a lot of care to germinate.
It needs not only the soil but also the correct temperature is required for germination. Moisture and heat are the two most essential points in this process.
Grass seeds will not sprout without a proper amount of water. And without proper topping with mulch, the seed might lose moisture in the process of germination and dry out.
Choosing the Right Type of Grass Seed
Choosing the right type of grass seed for your lawn is the essential activity to perform. There are various types of seeds found, just like the plants.
But choosing the appropriate one for your lawn’s soil is a difficult task. The pH kit can be used in this case for the buying of seeds.
As all grass seeds are not equal, so you need to keep in mind the temperature of your region before determining the right one for your lawn.
Tip – Do not go to buy cheaper seeds. I always prefer buying good quality seeds.
Lawn Dimensions
Reports say that the landowners apply seeds and fertilizers more than required in the lawn area. Hence knowing your property size is essential, let us say, to save costs.
Proper Timing
You cannot simply seed your lawn whenever you feel like it. There is the proper timing for everything because the timing has a more significant impact on the results.
Grass growth takes place in seasonal cycles. It may vary with the grass types and different regions with their various temperatures.
Tip – Match the timing of germination along with the seasonal cycle for the best results. Best results include less input of resources and maintenance.
That does not mean any maintenance at all!
Bird Food
As I have mentioned above, never leave the grass seeds uncovered if you want a beautiful grass lawn. Rest is up to you! Birds are very sharp in finding their food, and exposing the grass seeds might create a significant opportunity for them to find food for themselves.
Hence, covering the grass seeds is the wisest activity to perform. It is very disheartening to spend a good amount of money on the grass seeds, ending up becoming someone’s lunch or dinner. Bird foods are a lot cheaper than that grass seeds.
Tip – Buy bird food separately and make a place for the birds to drink and eat.
Rainfall
In case of heavy rainfall, grass seeds might get washed away along with the rainwater. It takes around four weeks for the grass seeds to germinate. During that period, the roots do not grow, which can hold the seeds tight within themselves. Hence, once if it rains heavily, the seeds would be swept easily by the rainwater.
Preparing the Backyard
The pH of the soil should be checked, and it should range between 6.2 and 7.0. Inexpensive kits are available in the local markets. Also, it is available at Amazon
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The kit will provide you with a complete analysis of the soil.
This analysis will help you to know what is good for the soil of your lawn. We often use costly fertilizers and various products without knowing that it is required or not. It is good to be precautious about your lawns, but there is no need to waste your valuable money.
You do not have to worry about buying the pH kits as those are not so costly and rare.
Loose soil allows better root development which is eventually good for the grass seeds to grow.
The layering of the Grass Seeds
Looking for the easiest way to spread a layer above your grass seeds? Well, spread screened compost over the seeds and cover it up!
You can make compost either by yourself or collect it from the nearby garden centers or nurseries. They can provide you with all sorts of garden-related items.
Compost is a decomposed organic material that improves the quality of the soil by maintaining the moisture content.
It is a natural fertilizer that causes no harm to the seeds. It is not compulsory to protect or cover the grass seeds with soil or mulch. Compost can be used too, which is an absolute natural material and much healthier than any other item.
Straw Layering
The grass seeds can be covered with straw as well. It is a low-cost protector of the seeds and is very popular at the same time because it reduces one’s expenses for growing grass.
Tip – The top layer of the soil should be a loose one. Checking the health of the soil is essential every time with the usage of pH kits.
Broadcast the grass seeds and add the next layer of straw upon the seedlings. It should be added loosely so that air and light can pass through the grass seeds.
Lawn Roller
Lawn Rollers are very effective in tamping the grass seeds into the soil firmly. It helps to create a better contact between the topsoil and the seeds. It ensures a perfect moisture content in the seeds for a longer time.
Lawn Rollers are available at Amazon
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In case you cannot afford to buy a lawn roller, you can go for an oversized doormat because doormats are available at every house. It will not cost you anything extra. Just put the doormat on the ground and lift and drag an end to the other end of your lawn. Of course, it is less beneficial, but still, you can use it for the job.
Advantages of a Healthy Lawn
We all love walking barefoot on grass lawns. It refreshes us anyway, delivering great feelings. Thick lawns prevent soil erosion, filter pollution from rainwater, and reduce water runoff. Thick lawns consisting of healthy grass also help reduce noise pollution by absorbing sound.
The color green helps a lot in reducing human stress. It also helps to strengthen immunity power and improves one’s sleep.
A healthy lawn strengthens bonds between people. It allows a family to enjoy within the backyard together with their pets.
Healthy lawns act as heat resistors in the summer season.
Tip – Water your lawn twice a day in the morning and the evening. Your seed package will give you directions to take your lawn’s proper care, therefore creating a healthier one.
Disadvantages of a Healthy Lawn
Having a healthy lawn has got many advantages. But these advantages have a cost associated with them.
Grasses Should Be Cut regularly
This is because unmown grass tends to transmit serious diseases. To save money, people try to cut grass by themselves, which takes a lot of time.
It is better to bring some professionals home to cut grass because they know the correct way of cutting grasses.
Though lawn mowers are available now, they must be handled very carefully as they are battery-powered models. This machine does not pollute the environment.
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Usage of The Chemicals
Grasses need chemicals to stay in good shape. Without regular application and properly balanced fertilizers, insects might damage the grasses.
Bad Reputations
Chemicals like nitrogen are used to maintain the shape of the grasses and keep them healthy. So, as a result, these lawns have a terrible reputation of being a polluter of rivers and streams. Nitrogen causes waterway problems. But if you apply the proper amount of chemicals, there is no harm in it. It will cause no excess runoff.
Chemicals and Pesticides
These both items are the most significant disadvantages of owning a lawn. They both are very harmful to handle, and extreme care should be taken once you have started using these items.
So, it is better not to handle this by yourself as these are available in the local markets. Professionals do have a state’s license for their excellent knowledge so hiring a professional for performing this task is the wisest thing to do. Or else, while applying, you might harm yourself, your children, or pets.
Tip – Don’t take the risk to save costs.
Of course, you can save costs, and you can save your precious time by not finding a professional and doing the work by yourself. It is all your choice how you want to take care of your lawn.
But the best measures are mentioned above.
If you try following the above measures, your backyard would be your upcoming favorite location to visit. It is a far better option than going out to the parks in this pandemic period.