How long do lawn seeds keep? Create germ sample

Even lawn seeds don't last forever. We show how a germination sample can be used to test how good the germination of the seed is and whether the seeds can still be used.

Of course, it sometimes happens that you don't have the time and leisure for perfect seed storage. Suddenly an indefinite time has passed and it is not clear whether the lawn seeds are still good. We explain how you can use a germination test to find out whether the lawn seed is still good.

How long do lawn seeds keep?

If stored properly, lawn seed can be used for at least three years. After about three years, the germination capacity of the seeds decreases by about 10% annually. However, this storage period only applies if the seeds are stored in a way that is appropriate to the species, i.e. in this case cool, dry, with constant temperature and humidity and in dark, breathing containers such as cloth bags or paper bags. However, by the end of the fifth year at the latest, the seed mixtures have finally been superseded. Some things will still germinate from this, but the more sensitive varieties may be missing and the resulting lawn would look incomplete. Our dedicated special article explains exactly how to store lawn seed correctly.

Tip: RSM-certified varieties and seeds achieve the highest quality standards in Germany and, because of their particularly careful production and control, can be stored better than non-certified mixtures. The certified seed mixtures also include the seeds from our Plantura lawn family.

How to determine the germination capacity of lawn seeds?

A germination test makes it easy to see whether there is still life in the seeds. But the germ test takes some time. It's worth spending, however, as it takes significantly longer to recover from a seeding failure. Before you proceed to the germination test, it is worth taking a close look at the seeds and taking them into your hands.
Incorrectly stored, old seeds smell rotten and no longer fresh. Fresh seed has a certain spiciness in the scent that is unmistakable. And while fresh seedfeels sharp and dry, overlaid seeds give way under pressure and the moisture in the seeds can also be felt. It is even possible that the seeds have already started to germinate or are covered with black or gray spots, i.e. mould. If you find lawn seed in such a condition, it is not worth doing another germination test.

What is a germ test and when is it useful?

In a germination test, a few seeds are sown under good germination conditions in order to observe whether and, if so, how many seeds still germinate. Such a sample is particularly useful for lawn seed, because it is always made up of different genera, species and varieties of grass and these cannot all be stored for the same length of time. If a relevant part of the seed does not germinate at all, lawn seed should no longer be used because it is very likely that an important part of the mixture will be missing in the finished lawn.

Tip: If you test the germination of vegetable seeds in a germination test, it is sufficient if, for example, 50% of the seeds germinate. In any case, the germinable proportion of vegetable seed is usually lower than that of lawn seed and there is no risk that an important species or variety is missing. You can then simply sow more of the vegetable seeds during cultivation. However, with turf seeds, almost all of the seeds tested should sprout.

Checking the germination of lawn seed makes sense if you still want to use old seed or if the seed is of uncertain quality, for example due to missing information on the packaging or the use of leftovers. The best time for a germination test is before the planned sowing, for example in winter. In this way, in the event of a failure, it is possible to take care of new lawn seed in peace, without the perfect time for sowing elapsing.
If the seed still makes a good impression visually, haptically and olfactorily, you can tell provide certainty about the germination capacity with a germination test.

Creating a germination test for seeds: This is how you test the germination of seeds

In order to test the germination of grass seed, it is essential that there are good germination conditions for the seeds in order to obtain an unbiased result. Only then do all viable seeds really go through all eight phases of the germination process from water absorption and swelling through theBursting of the seed coat up to the formation of the radicle and cotyledon and the first photosynthesis.

The best germination conditions for lawn seeds can be found directly below in the following step-by-step instructions.

Create a germination sample step by step:

1. We recommend filling a container with good potting soil such as Plantura Organic Herb & Seed Soil. The vessel should have as large an area as possible in order to test as representative a quantity of seed as possible.
2. Mix the seeds thoroughly once, as the seeds sort by size unnoticed during storage.
3. Now the soil is distributed, moistened and pressed a little, then the seed is distributed on it.
4. Make sure the seeds are spaced far enough apart so that later you can really see what percentage of the seeds have germinated.
5. If necessary, cover the seeds very thinly with soil, press them down as well and moisten the whole thing with a spray bottle.
6. Then place the sample in your home to prevent birds or mice from becoming interested in the seeds and rendering your test useless.
7. Now we have to wait and see: Fast-germinating grasses such as perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) will show their cotyledons after just 7 to 15 days. The dandelion panicle (Poa supina) needs the most time to germinate, it only germinates after 14 to 24 days. Before this time has elapsed, you should therefore not make a final check as to what proportion of the seeds have actually germinated.
8. Check the nucleus after 24 days. If almost all of the seed has sprouted, the seed can still be used. However, if more than about 10% of the seeds don't stir at all, it makes sense to buy fresh seeds for successful sowing in the garden. For example, you can find our RSM-certified Plantura lawn seeds in our shop.

Tip: Cover the sprouting sample with some foil and make many small holes in it. In this way, moisture and heat are retained better and germination is accelerated. You should not place a germ sample with foil in direct sunlight, otherwise the temperatures can be too high. Also, be sure to air the film daily to prevent mold from forming.

BestGermination conditions for lawn seeds: This is how lawns germinate best

• Keep the seeds always moist: The first step in germination is water intake. This increases the volume of the seed and triggers enzymes and important process chains for providing energy from the reserve substances in the seed. Lawn seeds must not dry out during the entire germination process, otherwise the entire process will be canceled and the seedling will die. The seedlings are easier to keep moist if they are covered very thinly with soil and pressed down well. This is the best way for the seed to absorb water from its environment.
• Use loose, crumbly soil: Grass seed needs a sufficiently good supply of oxygen to germinate. Because, just like fully grown plants, seeds engage in cell respiration throughout their entire life and, of course, especially during germination, in order to provide energy from stored reserves. Oxygen is taken in and carbon dioxide is given off. A clayey, compacted soil will make it more difficult for the lawn seeds to germinate or even prevent germination. It is best to use a finely crumbly, low-nutrient potting soil such as our Plantura Organic Herb & Seed Soil.
• Carry out the germination test at 16 - 23 °C: Grans seeds germinate from at least 8 °C, but their optimal germination temperature is much higher. However, your germination sample should not be too warm, otherwise germination will be delayed.
• Note that lawn seeds germinate in the sun: The absolute upper limit for lawn seeds is covering them with half a centimeter of soil. Like many other seeds, the germination processes in the seed are only activated when the so-called photoreceptors of the seed are excited by exposure to light. The connected phytochrome system then ensures that germination begins. For this reason, lawn seeds should not be covered with soil at all or only minimally.

Did you know that lawn seed mixtures are made up of a number of different grasses, all of which bring their very own strengths to the later lawn? In our grass portraits, we present well-known lawn grasses such as perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), rough bluegrass (Poa nemoralis) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) before.