How to Grow Grass Quickly

No homeowner wants their house to be framed by a barren yard, and you may be wondering about how to grow grass that’s healthy and fills in quickly. This isn’t always an easy task, especially if you’ve had trouble growing grass in your yard in the past. Each yard offers its own unique hurdles and best practices, and identifying those without a professional background can be especially tricky. Read on to learn how to grow grass quickly and without fail.

Seeds take time to grow

We all want our lawns to grow in quickly, but unfortunately seeds can only grow so fast. While it’s true that grass grows faster than many other plants, it still takes seven to ten days for seeds to germinate, and several weeks or even months until the seeds have fully grown. Many people compare long waits to watching paint dry, but paint can dry several times over before grass seeds have even completed their initial germination stage.

Not only does grass take time to grow, but it requires constant care during this time. During germination, you’ll need to make sure that the soil remains moist at all time in order for the seeds to ever sprout. In a little more than a week they will start to sprout, and you’ll be able to follow a more regular lawn maintenance schedule at this point. If the thought of waiting for grass to grow from seeds seem troublesome to you, there are options for achieving a green lawn much faster.

Consider sod instead

If you don’t have the time to wait for seeds to grow, you may want to consider investing in sod instead. Sod is more expensive than seeds, but the work that’s required is drastically reduced. Sod comes rolled in sheets of fully grown, healthy grass. The most challenging part of installing sod is properly preparing your soil.

Before attempting to lay sod (or perform any sort of lawn treatments), you should test the pH of your soil. A pH test is easy, the testing kits can be purchased at any home improvement store, and you’ll know the results within just a few minutes. If the pH level is between 6 and 7.5 you can go ahead and begin the process of laying your sod, if not you will need to perform treatments to bring your soil to the proper level.

Grass and other plants grow best in soil that is slightly acidic. A reading of 4.5 is considered extremely acidic, and no plants will be able to grow under these conditions. A 9.0 is the highest alkaline reading, and this too will make it impossible for plants to thrive. The best way to balance your soil is to use a fertilizer treatment that’s designed to change the level. If your soil is too acidic, it is best to use a lime-based fertilizer to add alkalinity to your soil. If there is already too much alkalinity present, a sulphur-based fertilizer will make soil more acidic.

Overwhelmed? Call a professional

If the thought of planting your own seeds or laying your own sod overwhelms you, it is time to get in touch with a lawn care professional. Not only do these professionals know all of the best methods for how to grow grass, they’ll also have lots of advice about the best types of seed and necessary maintenance steps for your lawn once planting is complete. Consulting a professional is the most fool-proof way to ensure that you have a lawn that’s full and healthy. Be sure to select a company that has a history of happy customers and proven results.