Here’s What Happens if You Don’t Rake In Grass Seed

You might’ve heard how important it is to rake grass seeds into the soil. Not only does it help the seeds germinate and establish healthy roots, but it also prevents them from washing away. Since you should overseed the lawn when it’s patchy, we think it’s essential to cover what happens if you don’t rake it.

If you don’t rake in grass seed, the seeds can wash away or blow away from rain and wind. Furthermore, the grass seeds likely won’t get deep enough into the soil to sprout. If you don’t have a rake, you can overseed and aerate the lawn for similar benefits.

In this post, we’ll cover whether or not the grass seeds will grow without raking them, whether or not you need to use a rake when overseeding the lawn, and what kind of rake you should use.

Will Grass Seed Grow if You Just Throw It on the Ground?

Grass seed will grow if you just throw it on the ground, but it’ll take a lot longer. Most types of grass take about two weeks to germinate. If you want to seed your lawn without using a rake, you’ll have to overseed it to accommodate for the extra seeds that washed away from the rain.

Here’s why you should rake the soil after planting grass seed:

• Atlanta Landscaping Matters claims you should rake the seeds because it establishes stronger roots. Tossing the seeds on the surface without aerating or raking the soil will prevent a lot of them from germinating, not to mention the fact that the roots can grow in any direction without reaching the soil.
• Failure to rake the lawn will wash the grass seed away. Rain, sprinklers, and garden hoses will force most of the grass seeds away from the soil since they’re not secure. Raking the soil pushes the seeds further into the dirt, preventing this from happening.
• Your lawn’s seeds can blow away during a heavy wind storm. Strong winds can sweep the seeds away without a problem. Your grass will look patchy, even if some of the seeds germinate and sprout. The grass seeds are extremely lightweight, so there’s nothing preventing them from blowing around.
• The grass seeds won’t have access to the nutrient-dense soil. Organic soil and fertilizers found in the dirt are perfect for the grass. However, just tossing the seeds on the surface won’t provide these much-needed nutrients. Your grass seeds will get less water and nutrition, which will undoubtedly affect the results.

We also suggest using Scotts Turf Builder Seed Spreader to spread the seeds evenly. Uneven grass seeds will make your lawn look patchy, even if you use the best rake available. Toss the seeds into the bin, turn the dial to decide how many grass seeds come out, and squeeze the handle to release them.

Do You Have to Rake in Grass Seed When Overseeding?

You don’t have to rake in grass seed when overseeding, but it’s highly recommended. Most people overseed the lawn by dropping loads of seeds on top of the soil. You can water and fertilize the lawn after dropping the seeds, but raking them would prove more helpful.

We suggest raking the dead grass before overseeding the lawn. This process will prevent the dead grass from limiting the water, oxygen, and sunlight that gets to the soil. Furthermore, the grass seeds will fall onto the soil rather than settle on the dry grass.

Another thing to keep in mind is that grass seed doesn’t last forever. Your grass seed starts to expire once you open the bag, especially if it’s beyond the labeled SELL BY date. Some people prefer to store their leftover expired grass seeds for overseeding since some of the seeds can still germinate.

How Do You Rake Grass Seed When Overseeding?

To rake grass seed when overseeding, follow these steps:

1. Aerate the soil to help the grass seeds fall into the dirt. You can use a manual lawn aerater, boot attachments, or anything else to loosen the soil. Lawn aerators kill moles and get rid of many other pests, making them a must-have for any homeowner.
2. Water the soil to add moisture before the grass seeds go down. Hydrating the soil is crucial because you can’t add water after the fertilizer or you’ll wash it away. Furthermore, adding water right after aerating the soil helps the water go deeper into the dirt.
3. Lay your grass seed. Use the previously mentioned seeder to overseed the soil with as much grass seed as you’d like to use. Make sure you can see the dirt below the seeds or you know there’s too much grass on the ground.
4. Fertilize the soil. The Simple Lawn Solutions Lawn Fertilizer is a user-friendly spray that coats the soil, provides nutrients to the sprouting grass, and prevents weeds. You can use it on any type of grass during the warmer seasons. It usually takes about two weeks to revitalize the lawn.
5. Mow the grass and keep it between 2.5 to 4 inches. You can let your grass get long, but don’t let it grow long enough to have pests, fungi, mold, and other issues. Mowing the lawn helps the new grass seeds get enough oxygen, water, fertilizer, any sunlight.

Follow this helpful video guide by Ryan Knorr Lawn Care for more details:

What Kind of Rake Should You Get for Grass Seed?

You should get a metal rake for grass seed. Turn the rake upside down to use the soft underside to put the seeds into the soil. Using the back of the rake will stop it from moving the seeds around and making a patchy lawn. You can also use a flexible plastic rake to lightly graze the soil.

The ERGIESHOVEL Ergonomic Steel Rake has a unique mid-shaft handle and an adjustable length. It prevents strain and adjusts to whichever length you prefer. You can also remove one of the sections to shorten the rake or drop the D-handle for a more traditional look and function.