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When the first crocuses sprout in the garden in spring, the effects of winter precipitation often remain visible. Instead of a rich green, the grass is yellowish in color and there are bare holes in the lawn. High time to get the garden back in shape. But how long does it actually take for the seed to start growing?
growth of lawn
How quickly the garden will turn green after sowing cannot be stated in general terms. As always, growth is subject to the vagaries of nature, with three key factors determining the speed:
- temperature
- light
- water
Optimum temperature
In order to grow, grass needs heat, among other things. What is meant, however, is not the air but the ground temperature. In order to determine an ideal reference value, this is measured at a depth of 5 cm. In order for both sprouts and roots to develop quickly, a temperature range of 15-18°C is best. The prevailing soil temperature depends above all on its composition. Sandy soil warms up quickly in direct sunlight, but unlike loamy soil it has little heat storage capacity. So it cools down again at night.
light effect
Lawns can only carry out photosynthesis, i.e. produce sugar and glucose, with the help of sunlight. Like humans, these substances serve as energy reserves and promote growth. Furthermore, the dye chlorophyll is formed during photosynthesis, which gives the stalks their green color. Since light has an influence on the duration of growth, it is not surprising that sunny areas turn green faster than shady locations.
water supply
However, the above factors also have a disadvantage: water evaporates faster in light and heat, which is also an important component. Especially in summer, the need for liquid can be around five liters per square meter. It is best to water in the early morning hours so that the water can seep into the ground. In the midday heat, it evaporates directly on the stalks and in the evening there is a risk of waterlogging.
notice: The grass variety is not quite as decisive, but still important for growth.
germination stages
Only if the above aspects apply will the lawn begin to germinate after sowing. It still takes some time before a gapless lawn has formed, in which the blades of grass develop as follows:
- water storage
- source start
- enzyme activation
- nutrient intake
- penetration of the seed coat
- formation of the radicle
- formation of the cotyledon
- photosynthesis
accelerate germination
With sensible measures, it is possible to accelerate germination:
prepare ground
So that the young stalks can easily reach the surface of the earth, the soil must be loose. It is also important to avoid too thick a layer of soil. Weeds are another disruptive factor, as they not only overgrow the grass, but also rob valuable nutrients from the soil.
The right cut
To keep growth in check, the lawn needs to be mowed regularly. We recommend 10-12 cuts a year. When mowing, quantity comes before quality, so to speak, because the rule "as short as possible" has long been outdated. Lawn should not be cut shorter than four centimeters, as it then has a hard time recovering. This is especially true on hot summer days. The correct cutting height helps the stalks to grow denser and more lush.
fertilizer
Fertilizer can rapidly increase the duration of lawn growth. Especially blue fertilizer is to be emphasized in this regard. It supplies the plants with nutrients in large quantities. However, once the grass area has gotten used to the good supply, it increases its nutrient consumption, so that renewed application of fertilizer is required after a short time.
tip: A sensible alternative to fertilizing is mulching. It can be easily combined with mowing the lawn and provides natural nutrients. In addition to the cut blades of grass, humus or simple sand have also proven to be good soil conditioners.
growth rate
As a rule, the germination period is 6 to 28 days. A few more days pass before the first stalks appear on the surface. In order to grow into a dense lawn, a waiting period of two to four weeks is usually required.
tip: If you don't want to wait that long, you should think about so-called Blitzrasen, which shoots up in just a few days due to special production. The easiest way to get this is online.
How long does grass grow in the fall?
Grass continues to grow well into the late fall and winter months. However, due to the lack of light and the falling temperatures around this time, the speed decreases significantly. Root growth only stagnates when the soil temperature falls below -0.5°C. On the surface, the culms already stop growing at 5°C. Sowing is still possible in autumn. Although the seeds do not begin to germinate at too low temperatures, they are not damaged.
Grass is not sensitive to frost
Icy temperatures do not harm the plants in any way. Grass is absolutely frost hardy. A pause in growth does not mean that the culms will not develop further when the climate improves.
