Why it's better not to sow your grass seed during the summer

The weather is nice, and you finally want to get rid of that barren soil in your garden. After all, during the summer everyone wants to enjoy a full and fresh green lawn, without bare patches. Understandable, although we advise against sowing your lawn during the summer months. After all, a soil that is too warm is detrimental to your grass seed. We give you a few reasons why it is better to postpone sowing during the summer period.

When is the best time to sow grass seed?

Grass seed thrives best at a soil temperature of 10°C to 12°C. That corresponds to an air temperature of about 14°C to 16°C. There is, of course, a bit of leeway. For example, your grass seed will not be completely wasted if it is slightly warmer or colder than that. On top of that, there are a number of variables, such as soil type, moisture content and amount of shade, that can have a big impact on the 'viability' of your grass seed. Nevertheless, we strongly advise against sowing grass seed at air temperatures above 25°C:

Why shouldn't I?

High temperatures and wind can cause grass seeds to dry out greatly, and intense sunlight can even burn your grass seed! When the grass seed is unable to retain sufficient moisture, its internal metabolism is disrupted and the enzymes involved in the germination process can be affected. This significantly reduces the vital energy required for germination. As a result, the seed will germinate more slowly and, in some cases, not germinate at all. This delayed or missing germination process will definitely result in bare spots in your lawn.

In contrast, weeds will grow like mushrooms if you decide to sow during summer. Most weed seeds are situated in the top 5 cm of the soil. Have you recently tilled and turned over your soil? Then you have essentially created an ideal seed bed for those weed seeds. Because of the heat, the weeds will grow much faster than the grass seeds, extracting precious nutrients and moisture from the soil. In other words, unfair competition.

Most households do not have an adequate watering system to keep the soil moist enough during periods of heat and drought. An average garden hose won't get you there. Did you forget to water your seedlings for even one day? Then your grass seed may have already suffered irreversible damage. Save yourself a lot of trouble and wait until autumn to sow your precious grass seed.

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