Seed Not Gardening Per Se but Grass Seed Won't Grow

[dstraito]

I decided to buy a real expensive grass seed from Douglas Seed so I could emulate native Hill Country grasses that are drought resistant. I bought a bag of mixed seeds.

I ordered ten yards of dirt specifically designed to accommodate planting from seed. I had the dirt spread about four to five inches deep. I spread a quarter of the bag and kept the ground watered for three weeks. I planted thee seed in the middle of April.

After three weeks and no grass I contacted the store and they told me the reason the seed had not germinated was because there were still some cold mornings in the fifties. This didn't sound right so I contacted the maker of the seeds who told me the same thing.

I planted the rest of the bag at the beginning of June and I got basically the same results. A few sparse patches of grass but over 95% of the seed did not germinate. I seeded it in totally sunny, partly shady and mostly shady areas and got the same results. I thought the deer might have eaten the seed in the front by rooting it out but I also seeded the back yard that is fenced. No grass.

I guess I'm done trying to have grass, will do more xeroscaping.

Anyone have similar experience or know how I could have been more successful?

 

[summerthyme]

That's weird... grass generally is a cool weather crop... around here, we plant in early spring or mid fall. But we're in a completely different climate and I'm sure we're talking about a different species of grass, so I just dunno.

Common practice here is to plant and then spread loose straw over the seeding.. it helps keep the soil moist and from washing away. You might want to contact your local cooperative extension folks and see if they've got any tips. I think I'd also try sprouting some in the house (moist paper towels, sprinkle the seed on, cover with another moist paper towel, put into an OPEN plastic bag and keep at the appropriate temperature for the variety) and see if maybe you got bad seed. Too often, places that sell the stuff aren't careful about the temperatures they store the bags in, and they kill the seeds.

Summerthyme

 

[SusieSunshine]

After the contractors destroyed our side lawn we used Bermuda seed, watering it morning and evening. It took a couple of weeks to come up. We have the lawn back. It is drought resistant and still green, even with 100 degree days. We may need to start watering if the rain doesn't come soon. Good luck!

 

[Illini Warrior]

any chance the dirt that was delivered was treated with a herbicide - it'll last upwards of 3 years - anything else growing in that dirt?

 

[Freeholder]

any chance the dirt that was delivered was treated with a herbicide - it'll last upwards of 3 years - anything else growing in that dirt?

There could be something in the dirt -- that was one of my first thoughts. I'm not familiar with the grasses of the Deep South, but northern grasses start growing anytime daytime temps go above forty degrees F. And I second the advice to contact your local Agricultural Extension office. They should be able to help.

Kathleen

 

[packyderms_wife]

contact your local extension agent for the best times and types of grasses to plant for your area.