Pre-Germinating Grass Seed: Tips for Success - Fall 2024 Update

If you want to transform your lawn using lush Zenith Zoysia grass seed, then use my lessons learned Pre-germinating Zoysia Grass Seed to tackle ugly bare spots or for seeding your entire yard! Watch as I compare the time and results of pre-germinating grass seed vs. traditional seeding methods and discover what I learned from my mistakes along the way. I'll break down the best practices for drying seeds to avoid clumping, the right way to cover them with Peat Moss or Top Soil using a Peat Moss Spreader, and how to ensure your seeds get the best start possible. If you're trying to grow a picture-perfect lawn, you won't want to miss these must-see tips and lessons learned. View my original Pre-Germinating Grass Seed Faster video here:    • Pre-Germinate Grass Seed in Water for...   Hit subscribe and like if you enjoyed these tips to grow the perfect lawn! In this video: 00:00 - Intro and Growth Update 00:26 - Lesson Learned 1: Let the seeds soak longer 00:39 - Let the seeds dry longer 01:00 - Using Peat Moss Spreader with peat moss, sand, or Milorganite 01:34 - Milorganite application rate 01:47 - Time differences for Pre-Germinating grass seed vs overseeding 02:10 - Better method to dry out seeds 02:54 - Peat Moss top dressing depth 03:04 - Peat Moss Top Dressing vs Top Soil 03:14 - 1 vs 2 paint strainers 03:27 - Plan for Spring 2025 Additional Info for your pre-germinating Grass Seed Application: Drying the Seeds: After pre-germination, one of the most critical steps is allowing the seeds to dry sufficiently before spreading. This ensures they don't clump together or become hard to spread evenly. You could try: Spreading the seeds out thinly in a well-ventilated area while ensuring they do not overheat or completely dry out Stir or turn the seeds every few hours to ensure they dry uniformly Spreading Technique: Since pre-germinated grass seeds are a bit more delicate, ensuring even spreading without clumping can be tricky. You could try: Using a broadcast spreader set to a low setting can help spread the seeds more evenly once the seeds are sufficiently dry. You may also try hand spreading for smaller patches while ensuring the seeds aren't over-concentrated in one area. Covering the Seeds: Covering the seeds with Peat Moss or Top Soil is an important step for maintaining moisture. The key is to avoid burying the seeds too deeply - about 1/8 to 1/4 inch should be sufficient. I used about 1/16th of an inch of Peat Moss which led to some areas washing away during watering and after rain. Keep these considerations in mind: Peat Moss can be a good choice if you're looking to retain moisture, as it holds water well, but it may also dry out if not kept moist. Topsoil may provide a better balance of moisture and retention and protection, but ensure that it's not too compact, so the seedlings can break through easily. Time Comparison of Pre-germinating Grass Seed vs Normal Grass Seeding: Pre-germinating Grass Seeds: You should expect quicker initial growth, as the seeds have already begun to sprout. However, the process of pre-germination adds time on the front-end of the project. Pre-germinated grass seeds generally take root faster than dry seeds but require more consistent care early on during soaking in water prior to spreading. Normal Grass Seeding: With regular seeding, germination can take longer, but the process is more straightforward, especially if you have reliable watering. You might also observe more gradual spreading growth. Here’s some of the materials I used pre-germinating: Peat Moss/Compost Spreaders: -Here’s the one I used: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CWRVZK3V/... -Here’s a middle of the road one: https://amzn.to/47WJKrd -Here’s some from Landzie, which are considered the best: https://amzn.to/3BC2EaU https://amzn.to/3NiYUgI https://amzn.to/3TZzZmh