There are many reasons why you may need to scatter more grass seed across your lawn. Perhaps your children have ruined the turf with a particularly rowdy game of football.
Maybe your dog has taken it upon themselves to dig a huge hole. It could even be that a mixture of cold weather and torrential rain has killed it at the roots.
Whatever the reason, it’s important to know how to sow grass seed in a way that ensures it grows properly and restores your lawn to its former glory. But will grass seed grow if it’s not covered by soil or mulch?
This is a question that many green-fingered enthusiasts have asked themselves at some point and if you’ve been searching for the answer, you’ve come to the right place!
Below we’ll take a look at whether or not grass will grow without being covered. We’ll also explore some issues you may run into when sowing grass seed and show you the best way to help it germinate into strong, healthy grass.
Will Grass Seed Grow if Left Uncovered?
Let’s get the main question out of the way, first of all. Grass seed will grow if it’s left uncovered but you’ll get much better results if you do use some topsoil, compost, or a mulch to cover it.
However, there are some instances where covering it isn’t entirely necessary. For example, if you’re repairing a small bare patch in the middle of your lawn or at the edge of your borders, the surrounding grass will help to protect the seed.
This is especially true if the grass is slightly longer as it will create a small microclimate, adding warmth and helping the seeds germinate.
But for the most part, it’s best to cover your seeds with soil or mulch as soon as you’ve scattered them where they need to go. There are several reasons for this, which we’ll explore below.
Why Grass Seed Should Be Covered
So, why should grass seed be covered with soil, compost, or a mulch after you’ve sown it? First and foremost, it helps to create a moist, warm environment. This is essential for successful germination.
When you cover seeds with soil or mulch, warmth and moisture get trapped and the seeds will absorb this and use it to start sprouting. If this environment isn’t available, the seeds will likely dry out and, in doing so, they won’t only germinate – they’ll die.
Strong Root Development
Covering grass seed with compost or mulch following sowing can also help to ensure that they develop strong roots as they germinate. This is because there is more organic matter available for them to seed their roots into and take in nutrients from.
Grass seed that hasn’t been able to develop strong roots will be much weaker and this means it will be more susceptible to pests and diseases. As such, you may find it dies back and you’ll need to re-seed it all over again!
Birds
Another reason why it’s important to cover grass seed with mulch, compost, or topsoil once you’ve sown it is to protect it from birds! Birds love scratching around in grass looking for seeds, and if it’s readily available you’ll soon find an entire flock feasting on your newly-sown seeds.
When your seed is covered up, it’s much more difficult for hungry birds to locate and, in turn, it stands a much better chance of germination.
Runoff
A torrential downpour of rain can also wash uncovered seeds away. It can take up to 4 weeks for seeds to germinate and the chances of there being no rain during this time are quite small!
By covering your seeds with compost or mulch after you’ve sown them, you’re helping to anchor them in place. The material you’ve used to cover them will also absorb the moisture, feeding it to the seeds and helping them germinate.
Tips for Sowing Grass Seed
As you can see, there are many reasons why you should cover your grass seeds after you’ve sown them. But, this is only one part of the process. You also need to provide them with the perfect growing conditions if you want them to grow healthily.
To help you out, you’ll find some top tips for sowing grass seeds below.
Time of Year
The first thing you need to do is make sure that you’re sowing grass seeds at the right time of year. Just like all other plants, some seasons work better than others and ensure that your tiny seedlings grow into strong blades of grass.
The best time of year to sow grass seeds is from late summer to mid-autumn. At this time of year, the temperatures aren’t so hot that they’ll scorch your seedlings. It’s just warm enough to start germination and allow strong seedlings to grow before the first frosts come.
Prepare the Soil
The next thing you need to do is prepare the soil. Inspect the area for weeds and, if there are any, dig them up, making sure that you get as much of the roots out as possible.
Once the area is clear of weeds, take a garden fork and lightly turn the soil over. This will stop the earth from getting compacted and gives the seedlings a much better chance of sending their roots deep into the ground.
Sow
Once your soil is prepared, you can sow the grass seed. As a general rule, it’s best to sow lightly. However, most packets of grass seed some with clear measurement instructions on them, so it’s best to follow the advice given.
Mulch
As soon as your seeds are on the ground, apply a layer of soil or mulch across the top. It needs to be thick enough to keep the seeds protected, but not so thick that they’d struggle to grow up through it.
A thickness of around 1-inch is ideal. There are also several different types of mulches you can use to protect your grass seeds and help them germinate, including:
- Compost
- Top Soil
- Straw
- Lawn Clippings
Compost and lawn clippings are particularly good as they’ll feed nutrients into the earth that the seeds can take in as they grow.
Water
Finally, you need to water your seeds as they need moisture to germinate. Give them a good soak with a hosepipe or watering can as soon as they’re covered with your chosen mulch, then let the elements do the rest.
Rainfall and morning dew will give them enough moisture to help them grow. However, if the weather is unseasonably warm, you can water them again to stop them from drying out.
Final Thoughts
When you’re sowing grass seeds, it’s always a good idea to cover them with compost or mulch. This won’t only help them germinate faster, but it will protect them from birds and stop rain from washing them away.
Put simply, while it is possible to sow grass seeds without covering them, they stand a much better chance of growing into healthy, strong blades of grass if you do.
