Even if you use the best rated grass seed on the market, you’ll want to do some research beforehand in terms of how long it may take to grow. For example, the climate and location of the planted seeds may cause fluctuations in the length of time it takes to grow. Grass seeds germinate at different rates and this makes determining the length of time it may take to grow differ depending on various factors.
However, as an approximation, it takes grass seed at least 10 days to begin to grow and it will then continue to grow at a rate of 2 to 3 centimetres a week. This type of growth is dependent upon certain factors that we discuss below.
Table of Contents
Type of Grass Seed
Unfortunately the UK doesn’t benefit from a warm climate all year round and this makes the types of grass seed limited. By far the most common seed in the UK is perennial ryegrass and this is due to the fact they only require up to 10 degrees to consistently germinate. As long as you plant the seeds at the right time, this type of grass seed will grow fast.
Another popular grass seed that grows fast in the UK is fescue but it requires over 10 degrees to germinate consistently, which may only be achievable during the summer.
Preparation of the Ground
Preparation is key to the success of growing grass and it’s a major factor in how long grass seed takes to grow. The seedbed should have all moss removed as well as any weeds and it should also be level. Before you plant the seeds, it’s highly recommended that you try to keep the soil moist. Therefore, watering the soil (if it isn’t raining) a few days before on a daily basis is highly advised in order to create the perfect growing environment.
Time of Year
As briefly mentioned above, the ideal ground temperature for grass seed to grow quickly is around 10 degrees. Therefore, in the UK, we usually achieve these temperatures from March to September. If possible, we highly recommend looking at a two-week forecast as an indication to the best time to plant grass seeds.
Aftercare of the Lawn
In order to speed up the time it takes grass seed to grow, aftercare is very important. You will want to use a garden hose (or even better a garden sprinkler) to water your lawn once a day unless it rains. For the first few weeks, you’ll want to thoroughly water the seedbed to reduce the time the grass seeds take to grow. However, it’s crucial that you don’t drown the seeds by overwatering them as this will cause further issues.
Conclusion
Although grass seed may take 10 days to grow, you’ll only be able to achieve these results by meeting the optimum growing conditions as stated above. Watering the soil to keep it moist and planting your seeds in the spring or autumn when the ground temperature is around 10 degrees are the main factors to consider. However, a high quality seed blend and following the instructions stated by the manufacturer are just as important.
