When first planting or renovating a lawn, homeowners want to know how long grass seed takes to grow. They’re eager to see the lush lawn they’ve labored for. The simple answer is that grass seeds generally sprout through the soil in about 5 to 30 days, depending upon the turf type and growing conditions. However, the journey from dry grass seed to lush lawn involves far more than just a countdown to sprouting.
Grass seeds are actually quite industrious once they’ve been sown. When we ask, “How long does it take for grass seed to grow?” we usually mean, “How soon will I see the growth?” Most of the time it takes for grass seeds to grow takes place below the soil line.
Let’s explore how long it takes for grass seed to grow, the factors that can affect the speed of grass growth, the germination rates for several popular grass types, and how you can grow a great lawn with the grass experts at Lawn Pride®.
Understanding the Grass Seed Germination Process
Explaining how long grass seed takes to grow requires diving into the grass seed germination process, which is really pretty cool. This is everything the grass seed must do as it transforms from a simple seed to become a part of a lush, growing lawn.
Before you see the first green sprout, a grass seed first goes through the following stages:
- Water Absorption: The seed absorbs water, swelling and softening its hard outer shell.
- Enzyme Activation: The seed activates its enzymes to convert stored starches into sugar to fuel its growth.
- Radicle Growth: The seed develops its first root, called a “radicle,” which anchors the plant in place and absorbs water and nutrients from the soil.
- Plumule Emergence: The seed produces its first shoot, called a “plumule,” which grows upward through the soil.
After completing these stages, the first sprout breaks through the soil surface to greet the sun and begin photosynthesis, which is essential to your developing lawn. So, when you ask how long grass seed takes to grow, remember that the answer includes sufficient time to complete each stage of grass seed germination.
While all turf grass seeds go through the same germination process, how long it takes for the grass seed to grow varies with the seed type and growing conditions. The soil quality, temperature, moisture content, and texture all affect how quickly the grass seeds grow, as does the seed condition, seed depth, available nutrients, and competition from weeds.
This is how long different grass seeds take to grow:
|
Grass Type |
Germination Time |
Optimal Soil Temp for Germination |
|
5–10 days |
55-65°F (13-18°C) |
|
|
7–14 days |
50-65°F (10-18°C) |
|
|
14–21 days |
50-65°F (10-18°C) |
|
|
10–30 days |
75-90°F (24-32°C) |
|
|
14–30 days |
55-65°F (13-18°C) |
|
|
10–14 days |
55-65°F (13-18°C) |
|
|
14–21 days |
70-85°F (21-29°C) |
|
|
14 to 21 days |
60-75°F (16-24°C) |
Tips To Speed Up Grass Care Growth
Remember that grass seeds do important work while you’re anxiously waiting to see those little green shoots. So, if you want to speed up how long grass seed takes to grow, you’ll need to provide the optimum conditions for grass seed germination. Check out our lawn renovation guide, and get started with the following best practices:
- Watering: Maintaining the proper soil moisture is the most critical variable you control in determining how long it takes for grass seed to grow. Your soil should be consistently moist, but avoid overwatering to prevent seed washout and fungal diseases. Lightly water your lawn at least two times a day for three to four weeks, making sure to cover every square foot of seeded space. When grass blades start to sprout from the soil, you can decrease the watering to once a day until the blades have reached full growth.
Turf tip: After three to four weeks, adjust your watering schedule to twice a week, for 30-45 minutes at a time. - Soil Preparation: Properly preparing the soil can significantly speed grass seed germination. Remove all weeds and debris, loosen the soil to improve aeration and drainage. Test the soil to determine any nutrient deficiencies, and add organic matter or soil amendments to enhance fertility. Finally, level the soil surface to prevent water from pooling.
- Soil Temperature: Grass seeds germinate best within specific temperature ranges, which vary by seed type. Planting during the optimal season for your seed type helps you hit soil temperatures that support rapid grass seed germination.
- Starter Fertilizer: A starter fertilizer can speed up the time it takes for grass seed to grow. Applying a phosphorus-rich starter fertilizer when you seed the lawn encourages robust root development and quicker germination times.
- Seeding Technique: As you sow your grass seed, even coverage ensures the best germination. Follow our recommended seeding rates according to turf type. Ensuring good contact between the grass seed and the soil is crucial to germination. So, lightly rake the soil after sowing the seed, or consider renting a lawn roller from your local garden center.
Once your yard is fully prepped — soil conditioned, the seeds applied, and your lawn is watered (often!) and fertilized, it’s time for Mother Nature to do her job and help those little grass seeds start to take root.
Fast-Growing Grass Seed Options
Patience is critical to successfully growing a lush, thick lawn. If you’re anxious to develop a green lawn ASAP, you can certainly consider planting fast-growing grass seeds. However, please remember that how long grass seeds take to grow is not the top consideration when choosing turfgrass for your lawn. The ability of the grass to thrive in your climate is the paramount concern, followed by the grass type’s sun exposure needs, maintenance requirements, disease resistance, durability, appearance, growth pattern, and texture.
However, if a grass type thrives in your climate and growing conditions while meeting all your requirements, consider planting one of these fast-growing grass seed types:
- Perennial Ryegrass: This cool-season turfgrass sprouts within 5-10 days in optimal conditions. An excellent choice for erosion control and overseeding.
- Bermuda Grass: A warm-season grass, Bermuda grass can germinate in 10 to 30 days, rapidly forming dense green turf that tolerates foot traffic and heat well.
- Annual Ryegrass: Though not a permanent solution, annual ryegrass germinates swiftly within 5-7 days. Perfect for a temporary lawn or a cool season cover crop.
Lawn Care Maintenance After Grass Seed Growth
After sowing your grass seeds, the wait for a lush green lawn seems interminable. It leads to questions like, how long does grass seed take to grow? But the few weeks of germination are just the beginning of your journey to achieving a lush and lovely lawn.
Over time, your lawn will need proper watering, mowing, fertilizing, weeding, and aeration to remain dense, green, and healthy. Review our Beginner’s Guide to Lawn Care to learn how to provide the maintenance needed throughout the year.
Why Choose Lawn Pride for Grass Seeding Services?
Now that you know how long it takes for grass seeds to grow, it’s time to start sowing those seeds! Remember to choose the right turf seed for your climate and growing conditions, and make sure you can prepare the soil properly, then seed it evenly while ensuring good soil-to-seed contact.
If this is starting to sound too much like a chore, contact the experts at Lawn Pride. We have the tools, experience, and expertise to bring out the best in your lawn. Along with the rest of our comprehensive lawn care services, we can help you choose the right seed and ensure it is sown well, providing the right foundation for the lush lawn of your dreams. We’ll give you a lawn to be proud of and then step back while you collect the compliments!
The Neighborly Done Right Promise™ backs everything we do, ensuring your satisfaction with our work.
Do you want a lawn that is the pride of the neighborhood? Request a free estimate today, and let Lawn Pride do the rest.
This article is intended for general guidance only and may not apply to every situation. You are responsible for determining the proper course of action for your property and your situation. Lawn Pride is not responsible for any damages that occur as a result of any advice or guidance derived from blog content. For the most accurate guidance, contact an independently owned and operated Lawn Pride for more information and a professional on-site assessment.