Pre-Germination

[Field General]

I would like to pre-germinate some grass seed to use on a football field I take care of. Can anyone give me some direction or advise on the matter. I would like to read as much as possible , I will take any and all suggestions.
Thank you.

[phasthound]

I would like to pre-germinate some grass seed to use on a football field I take care of. Can anyone give me some direction or advise on the matter. I would like to read as much as possible , I will take any and all suggestions.
Thank you.

Contact Bill at ICT Organics, the sponsor at the bottom of this page.

[humble1]

I used to own a good size hydroseed operation 2 employees spraying 7 days a week all day every day. We tryed rubermaid containers filled with water and seed for a day, then empty it then use it in the seeder, more effort than what it was worth. You still need to keep seed moist after it goes down to germinate. If it dries up viable seed starts to die. If you really want to get some bad ass grass, mix in some endo/ecto mychorrazae fungi spores into the seed mix.

[tremor]

I used to pregerminate Perenniak Ryegrass whenever a customer (or I) needed grass real fast.

Use a 50+ gallon garbage can. Dump the whole bag & add 20-30 gallons water. Keep the temperature between 80-85°F. Two 12 hour cycles is usually enough. More than 48 hours is risky as some seeds will start to germinate. Either aerate the mess or change the water every 12 hours. For more impressive results add some high P soluble fert. For REALLY impressive results add some GA3 to the last cycle.

I seeded my own house for my wedding. The contractor damage was cleaned up & seeded on a Monday. I had two cuts on it 2 Fridays later. My neighbor thought it was sodded.

[garydale]

I've presoaked grass seed for 24 hours maximum, hrdoseeded with mulch and kept watered for one week. Worked great.
notes:
Only do it on a small scale.
Water,water and water.
When its tall enough to mow start weaning it off water.

[Field General]

Thanks for the advise. I am not sure that I will be trying to pre-germinate. I was going to overseed with it but it sounds like most everyone is using a hydro-seeder. I always overseed my football field with about 350 pounds of mix after the last game. I was looking for a better way to get it started. I may try keeping my irrigation wheel out and watering a little. I know watering is very important but I had not thought of doing it so late in the season. Maybe its worth a try. I would like to have it up and mowed before the snow flies. But its always a gamble because it is so late.

[ICT Bill]

Hey Field, there is pregermination and priming seed, there is a thread on the organic lawn care side on it that is still going on, they are different but the same, kind of

In Ohio you are probably doing a mix of fescue, rye and KBG. send me an email we work with some very savvy sport turf folks bill@ictorganics.com

more details on your program are needed though

The simplest thing is to go out at half time (then you can go home) and spread the seed, the football guys will be the seed slitter, talk about seed to soil contact, nothing better than a cleat

:walking::walking::walking::walking::walking::walking:

[heritage]

I used to pregerminate Perenniak Ryegrass whenever a customer (or I) needed grass real fast.

Use a 50+ gallon garbage can. Dump the whole bag & add 20-30 gallons water. Keep the temperature between 80-85°F. Two 12 hour cycles is usually enough. More than 48 hours is risky as some seeds will start to germinate. Either aerate the mess or change the water every 12 hours. For more impressive results add some high P soluble fert. For REALLY impressive results add some GA3 to the last cycle.

I seeded my own house for my wedding. The contractor damage was cleaned up & seeded on a Monday. I had two cuts on it 2 Fridays later. My neighbor thought it was sodded.


Tremor,

How many PPM of Giberillic Acid for the FAST result??

Thank You,

Pete

[ICT Bill]

Tremor, How many PPM of Giberillic Acid for the FAST result??

Just follow the direction on the container, Giberillic will give you growth, often way too fast so be careful, too much will affect the long term health of the grass. It is not one of those things where if a little is good than more should be better

Auxin will boost your rooting

[tremor]

I believe it was 150PPM but I'll check to make sure.

[heritage]

I believe it was 150PPM but I'll check to make sure.

OK Thank You :)

I still have a Progibb 4%, 20 oz bottle and want to try that trick.

Pete