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DonHo-kieHi
Joined: 01/01/2005
Posts: 19,235
Likes: 14,862
DonHo-kieHi
Lifetime

“I put it down on bare ground”. There’s 90% of the problem. Ground is

Probably hard as a rock and if dogs are regular there the pH is assuredly screwy. If the seed decided to germinate how is the root supposed to bore its way into the ground? Some seed can handle that like winter rye but even that most likely won’t make it through the summer. If you don’t see anything for another week I’d start with fresh seed, break up at least a couple of inches of depth with a shovel, re- seed and rake in. Then water! You can thank me later. Oh, and keep the dogs off of it till established. And overseed this fall when it’s the best time to plant grass. ** Edited by DonHo-kieHi at 4/12/2026, 8:48:28 PM
Posted: 04/12/2026 at 08:46 PM ET
(In response to this post by JoesterVT)

Thread Replies (35)

Full Thread →
Ok lounge lawn gurus...a little help please....
JoesterVT • 04/12/26 11:53 AM ET
The air is 70, but the dirt is 45. Those cold nights are keeping the seeds
VTVOICE • 04/13/26 10:23 AM ET
@Spudnut mentioned aeration as well. Ok to do that now?
JoesterVT • 04/13/26 10:33 AM ET
Yes, but Fall is optimal for regular lawn maintenance. You can rent an
VTVOICE • 04/13/26 10:45 AM ET
obviously a "plug" type is best, but will the spike variety do in a pinch?**
JoesterVT • 04/13/26 10:48 AM ET
Spikes are okay if your soil is already somewhat loose, but in a
VTVOICE • 04/13/26 10:58 AM ET
I'm working on a relatively small area for now, and I don't mind using...
JoesterVT • 04/13/26 11:04 AM ET
Since it’s a small dog-traffic area, don’t be shy with the holes. Aim for a
VTVOICE • 04/13/26 11:09 AM ET
thanks**
JoesterVT • 04/13/26 11:11 AM ET
If you have a probe type kitchen thermometer, check the ground temperature.
Galenahokie • 04/13/26 09:50 AM ET
hmm...could be the problem...
JoesterVT • 04/13/26 09:52 AM ET
Who in the Lounge has not been sold some bad seed in the past...???**
great2bahokie • 04/13/26 09:32 AM ET
Maybe I could have explained "bare ground" better
JoesterVT • 04/12/26 09:16 PM ET
Found it's best to seed in the fall, allows the grass to put down roots
7Hokie1 • 04/12/26 08:57 PM ET
That's a no go for me because of the heavy traffic
JoesterVT • 04/12/26 09:13 PM ET
“I put it down on bare ground”. There’s 90% of the problem. Ground is ◄
DonHo-kieHi • 04/12/26 08:46 PM ET
Asking the lounge advice on bad seed?
Coach McGuirk • 04/12/26 05:04 PM ET
Patience**
Stork • 04/12/26 02:13 PM ET
I'm hoping....how long?**
JoesterVT • 04/12/26 02:14 PM ET
Need to plant seed in the fall to establish the roots
Spudnut • 04/12/26 04:59 PM ET
Yeah, it was a beautiful patch of grass in November...
JoesterVT • 04/12/26 09:31 PM ET
One like this per my post below**
Spudnut • 04/13/26 09:31 AM ET
Get a hand aerator. Punch lots of holes
Spudnut • 04/12/26 10:05 PM ET
Usually 7-10 days. Those coatings they put on those seeds, also sometimes
Stork • 04/12/26 02:18 PM ET
We'll see. Oddly, I don't see any "coating" on the seed.
JoesterVT • 04/12/26 02:44 PM ET
They coat almost all seeds these days. It’s a giant racket. They say it’s
Stork • 04/12/26 03:33 PM ET
While I don't disagree, Stork...
MP4VT2004 • 04/12/26 03:43 PM ET
Try Titan RX seed from Southern States
Spudnut • 04/13/26 01:45 PM ET
I’m probably more dedicated than most when it comes to watering. So I don’t
Stork • 04/12/26 05:22 PM ET
I'm with you; however, I have a "poor man's" irrigation system...
MP4VT2004 • 04/12/26 05:27 PM ET
That ground should already have enough nitrogen in it.**
IB4TECH • 04/12/26 01:05 PM ET
No sh@t! Or on this case, yes Sh@t....**
JoesterVT • 04/12/26 01:27 PM ET
Do you still have the bag for the seed that you used?
MP4VT2004 • 04/12/26 12:59 PM ET
No, I chucked the bag. But yeah it was from Lowe's
JoesterVT • 04/12/26 01:26 PM ET
I never had lasting success with that stuff. **
ColoVT82 • 04/12/26 12:53 PM ET
I bought some of that once. Tried to use it twice. Same outcome as you.
PhotoHokieNC • 04/12/26 12:46 PM ET