Grass Seed Germination
Going Green: Grass Seed Germination for Real Estate Agents
Grass seed germination, the practical scientific study of how to best grow grass, should not be overlooked in the real estate market. One cannot underestimate the aesthetic and psychological value of an idyllic green lawn for improving the sales value of a home. If you are in the real-estate business, it pays to learn about grass seed germination.
So what are some basic tips for growing a nice, full green lawn in time for an Open House? Here’s some tips tailored specifically to the real-estate market:
Have an experienced gardener to plant and maintain the lawn:
As you probably already know, having a person who is specifically in charge of the plants, flowerbeds and trees improves your chances of getting a home sold. Buyers love a well-kept rose garden and nicely trimmed hedges. Having someone whose central responsibility is getting this done will insure that it is done properly.
Schedule the planting of the grass seed at least one month before the Open House:
From planting to sprouting, most grasses take 2-3 weeks. You should allow a couple of extra weeks for most lawns to really fill out. So you should allow at least a month before the Open House to begin you grass seed germination process.
There are several factors that may contribute to uneven or substandard lawns, however, and you should take these precautions to improve your chances of having the sort of immaculate lawn that helps sellers reap the full financial reward of their properties:
Try to schedule any upgrades or construction before grass seed germination:
If a great deal of remodeling is going to occur at a house before it will be ready for showing, you will want to delay the planting of grass seed until as much of this is done as possible since one of the main factors that contribute to a patchy lawn is traffic over the lawn area before germination has taken place.
Tape off the lawns during grass seed germination:
In order to help the germination process, you should tape off the lawns during the two to three weeks of germination. This way any workers or passersby will not trample over and displace the seeds causing uneven and patchy growth.
Grass seed germination is highly sensitive to moisture levels so keep this in mind when planning:
Grass seeds are very sensitive to moisture levels. Water too much, they suffocate; water too little, they die off. Be careful if you are depending on the live-in seller to water the lawn during this period. Even though it is in the interest of the homeowner to maintain a good lawn to increase his or her re-sale value, the fact that you are replanting his or her lawn probably means that lawn care is not a skill that comes naturally for them. Look to get a person you trust to come regularly and water the lawn the proper amount.
The other thing to consider in this regard is the time of year, city ordinances and run off. If you are entering the rainy season, this may not be the best time to begin germination because you may get too much water and too little sunlight. Try to delay or hurry germination to avoid this pitfall. (Lawns once fully-grown deal with excessive water better than those in the process of growth do.)
In addition, many cities have ordinances against watering during summer for drought prevention reasons. Many such ordinances allow watering to occur only every other day. You will want to research these matters so that you do not find yourself in violation or unable to schedule your gardener properly.
Finally, sometimes the reason that the lawn is in such poor condition is because of run off from a nearby hill or from a neighbor. This problem will obviously have to be fixed before you attempt to replant.
At some homes, it may be easier to install a rock garden instead of trying to fight against the elements and circumstances.
Consider how other topographical features may affect grass seed germination:
If the lawn is poorly lit because of tree cover, or on an incline or has bad soil, these conditions may all lead to substandard lawns as well. Take these in consideration when scheduling grass seed germination.
Despite the difficulties involved with getting a luscious green lawn, the rewards are well worth it. The perception of a poor kept lawn or neighborhood can lead to significant depreciation in the final price of a home. In fact, this impression is so important, that if you notice that a neighbor’s home also has a poorly kept lawn, you might offer to upgrade their lawn as well the relative cost-benefit may make it worth it.
Remember a greener lawn means more green in your wallet in the end!