Growing grass isn't as easy as laying down seeds and watering them into the soil. It takes a lot of work and effort to make them grow and then to make sure they provide uniform growth throughout the lawn. Sometimes the seeds won't germinate or will take longer than they should. Let's dive into some information about the causes of poor germination and what can be done about it.
What Causes Seeds to Germinate?
Have you heard of imbibition? It's the process by which the seeds uptake water from the soil. The result is root growth, which also allows the seeds to access more water and to grow more quickly. Once the seeds can take in water and nutrients, the shoots develop and grow upward from the soil and extend to the sky. The overall process is influenced by many different factors, from the amount of available water to the temperature and exposure to sunlight.
Why Seeds Don't Germinate
If you've ever spread seed on the lawn and nothing happens, it could be caused by several factors. Laying seed when the soil temperature isn't ideal can halt the germination process. A lack of moisture or even a combination of poor moisture and temperature can cause the germination process to fail.
You may also have planted the seeds too early in the season or too deep in the soil. Perhaps you watered them in too much or didn't provide enough water at the right times.
The point is that you can make several mistakes when planting seeds. Sometimes it's not your fault. The environment just might not be ideal for planting.
But there's a way to get around poor planting and environmental conditions.
It's called using a plant growth stimulator, or PGS for short.
What is a Plant Growth Stimulator?
A PGS contains certain hormones that give the seeds a boost when planting. For instance, Gravity® PGS contains cytokinin, gibberellic acid and indole butyric acid that promote cell division and stimulate root growth. A PGS can be applied after seeding to boost root growth and also to stimulate growth on transplants and existing plants.
Even better, you can buy seeds with Gravity SL PGS already added. That way when you spread the seeds, they will have a significant head-start and can grow faster than seeds that aren't treated with a PGS.
Why Use PGS on Seeds?
There are many reasons why you'd want to use Gravity PGS products on your turf, lawn or golf course. Maybe you want to re-establish your root systems after a harsh summer or to improve them before winter.
Many people use fertilizer for this reason, but it won't stimulate growth. A PGS contains plant hormones that trigger the plants to produce flowers, to grow new leaves or to increase the overall root growth.
Pre-treated seeds will develop faster root systems, take in nutrients more easily and establish more quickly throughout the landscape. Combining PGS-treated seeds with normal fertilization and irrigation will result in a faster, more lush and vibrant landscape across lawns, recreational sites and golf courses.
Gravity PGS Products Enhance Germination
Consider PGS-treated seeds if you want to establish a lawn that grows quickly. WU tests confirm that seeds treated with Gravity SL PGS develop faster than those without it.
You can also use Gravity SL PGS during seeding. Not only will it help the seeds to germinate more quickly, but it will also improve root growth on young and established plants while also aiding in the recovery of stressed plants.