Can you walk on grass seed after you have sowed it? It is a common question asked by gardeners who are adding a new lawn or fixing bare patches to get a beautiful lawn for the first time. Planting grass seed may appear easy, yet there is more to it than spreading new grass seed around and waiting for it to grow so you can cut the grass.
Seedlings that are developing below the topsoil are delicate. If birds do not eat them, they could still be killed or damaged by foot traffic even if you cannot see them. Young grass sprouts are vulnerable to being damaged or uprooted by mowing or walking. Ideally, expose your yard to regular foot and animal activity until the new grass has been mowed 3-5 times.
In our guide, you can learn more about how long after planting grass seed, can you walk on it? By the end, you’ll know there is more to growing grass on a newly seeded grass lawn. You’ll also know that seeing fresh grass doesn’t mean it is ready for the kids and pets to play on.
Take the time and have patience after you plant grass seed, and you can find the time when can you walk on new grass will be the time your lawn care begins with the first mowing. (Learn How Long Can Spider Mites Live Without Food)
How Long After New Grass Seed Can You Walk On It – Top Tips
Before it may be walked on without concern, grass must be developed and repeatedly mowed several times. You should avoid walking on your grass as much as possible until it reaches this condition.
Walking on your lawn too soon can kill young grass and seed, wasting all the work you put into sowing it. So here are a few quick tips to ensure your seeds and fresh grass grow into a beautiful, usable yard.
1. Stay Off Newly Seeded Ground
After you’ve planted your lawn, try to minimize walking on it. Sprouting seeds are exceedingly sensitive at this stage and will be harmed by walking on them, even if they are covered by soil.
The new grass may not be visible yet, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t growing. After seeding is complete, the area should be treated as a no-traffic zone.
As part of your lawn care strategy, water with a sprinkler rather than by hand to reduce foot traffic.
2. Keep Kids Away
Few things are as innocent as kids having fun outside. However, a freshly seeded lawn is so delicate that even young toddlers playing on it risk uprooting or destroying grass sprouts.
Limiting foot movement is best until the grass has taken root.
To provide children with outside time, take them to local parks and nature walks, and keep them occupied with other outdoor activities as your grass starts to grow.
3. Control Pet Action Manage Pet Traffic
Dogs and other pets need to go outside; even your pet dog can harm grass should you have moist soil. Until you can begin cutting grass, the grass blades are not strong enough to survive against your dog rubbing around, and you can see grass death occur.
Take your dogs on long walks or find a temporary alternative space they can let off steam. Once you manage pet traffic, your new lawn will thank you.
4. Let Grass Grow Tall Before You Cut It
The suction of the mower blades can rip grass seedlings out of the ground if you mow young grass too soon. In addition, mower wheels can crush young grass, and then you’ll have dead grass as it can’t recover.
Set your blade height as high as possible for your first mowing. Only the top third of the grass blade height should be removed. To prevent grass death, it’s best to mow new grass blades at 3 inches.
Before using your yard, as usual, mow your new grass three to five times once it is long enough to be cut. Avoid walking on your new lawn so the grass can establish strong roots and become tough enough to withstand regular use. (Read Is 19 19 19 Fertilizer Good For Lawns)
How Long After Planting Grass Seed Can You Walk On It?
Here are the steps your grass must take before it’s ready to walk on. By staying off the grass, you keep it from getting hurt and keep your yard from having dead spots.
- New seed with no visible sprouts: Stay off your lawn.
- Newly sprouted grass under 3 inches tall: Don’t use your lawn.
- Weekly mowed new grass at 3 inches: Walk on your lawn if necessary.
- Lawn mowed between 3 and 5 times: You can expose your lawn to regular foot traffic.
Some types of grass that grow quickly can sprout and grow to be 3 inches tall in about 4 weeks. However, it will take longer for other seeds and grasses to grow.
Have patience and let the new grass grow. If you walk on a new lawn with slow-growing grass, you will only slow its growth.
Does Walking on New Grass Damage or Kill It?
Walking on new grass can easily damage underground seedlings and new grass sprouts that are growing.
The tiny grass plants have soft blades and weak roots. So, walking on them can kill or hurt the grass, slowing its growth, and leaving dead spots in your yard.
How Long After Planting Grass Can You Walk On It?
It is best to steer clear of newly seeded lawn and any new grass that is shorter than three inches. At this time, grass seedlings and sprouts are highly susceptible to being damaged or uprooted.
To protect baby grass from being uprooted or killed by mowing too soon, hold off on cutting it until it is at least three inches tall.
After you have been cutting grass at least three times, it has become established with a robust root system to withstand being walked on frequently without inflicting damage.
If you are unsure how long after planting grass seed can you walk on it, an excellent place to start is with a baseline of two months?
In that time, most grass species of a newly seeded lawn can grow and produce strong roots, which provide them with the solidity and grass height to stand up underfoot.
First, give your freshly seeded lawn a few passes with the lawn mower before you may walk on it.
Before walking on the grass, ensure you give it a chance to grow by adhering to these general guidelines.
Best Mowing Practices
Only when done correctly may routinely mowing your grass delivers a lush lawn and provide long-term health. The healthy root growth of new grass helps it grows longer and makes cutting your lawn more effective.
Any seasoned mower will recommend these helpful mowing suggestions to help your newly seeded lawn grow lush and green.
Remove Lawn Debris
Be sure to pick up any sticks or stones before mowing your newly seeded lawn. Even the slightest debris can hurt you while mowing or harm your lawn mower.
Mow While The Lawn Is Dry
Never mow your lawn after watering or raining sessions. If you cut wet grass before it dries out, it will likely shred and tangle, and you risk uprooting it, thus killing young grass in the process.
Leave Behind Your Grass Clippings
Grass clippings decompose quickly, returning nutrients to the
soil and preserving moisture when left behind. Avoid walking around and clearing up your cuttings, although you can thin them if they are clumped too much.
Keep Mower Blades Sharp
After 20 hours of use, you should sharpen your blade. A healthy lawn is worth the minimal expense of blade sharpening, which is typically available at hardware stores.
Pick The Right Seed
Once most grass grows, it is resilient; however, each kind of grass thrives best in particular environments. These two sections contain grass seeds for the following grass types:
Cool Season Grasses:
- These grasses thrive in temperate climates with cold winters and sweltering summers.
- For your lawn, it is recommended to use cool-season grass if you live in the Northwest, Northeast, or Midwest.
- These species include perennial rye, tall fescue, Bentgrass, and Kentucky bluegrass.
Warm Season Grasses:
- Warm-season grasses are grasses native to tropical regions and thrive in warmer climes.
- Warm temperatures are present year-round in the Deep South, the Southwest, and the Mid-South.
- Warm-season varieties include buffalo grass, Bahia grass, centipede, St. Augustine, and zoysia.
Prepare Soil
No matter which grass species you choose, poor soil substantially impacts plant growth. Follow these instructions to prepare your soil before planting and take good care of your grass lawn immediately.
Use Fertilizer
Consider utilizing organic fertilizer to supply the nutrients required for plant growth if your soil is of poor quality.
Natural fertilizers dissipate fast, whereas organic fertilizers release nutrients over a lengthy period.
Using organic fertilizers, you may provide your lawn with the nutrients it needs for weeks instead of just a few days.
Aerate The Soil
To operate and grow effectively, roots require adequate room. Make three-inch-deep holes in the soil to help your grass absorb more nutrients and water.
To break up soil that has been badly compacted, think about using a tiller. For seeds to germinate, there must be a good seed-to-soil contact.
Remove Weeds
Your grass will face competition from weeds for water and nutrients. Put them all in a bucket after cutting them off at the root. To avoid spreading new seeds, don’t pile them up on your lawn. (Read Is Kalanchoe Poisonous To Humans)
Water Your Grass Properly
Amounts of water are also different depending on the stage of growth. To decide when and how much to water, follow this simple guide.
- Fertilizing and Seeding Stage: Mist the area once a day to keep the top inch of soil moist until the grass seeds begin to sprout. Multiple misting may be necessary for hotter weather, but never allow the ground to become wet.
- Stage of Germination: After most seeds have sprouted, water the soil lightly to keep the top two inches moist. Water them this way until your grass reaches a height of around three inches.
- Growing Stage: Once there has been enough development, you can deeply water until the top six to eight inches of the soil is moist.
