New, week old seeded dirt (lawn) is turning green with either a fungus or algea. No grass yet. Is this normal?

Question

New, week old seeded dirt (lawn) is turning green with either a fungus or algea. No grass showing yet. Is this normal? Per the seeding instructions, I keep the soil continually moist.

Answer 1

You are definately overwatering, and watering at the wrong times of the day (er night?). The seed company will suggest to water it a lot because many lawns fail and the results get blamed on the seed company. In reality, you only want to water *just enough* for the grass to live and survive...ESPECIALLY during the first season. How much water this actually is will depend, but for a dollar you can buy a clay stake at a garden store that will let you know when your soil is dry.

Like someone suggested, the green mold occurs a lot near forest lines. This dark green mold is one of the most commonly occuring molds in the forest, and is therefore known by its common name "green forest mold" or "black forest mold". Chances are you had this mold in your yard anyway, but the over watering made it bloom. Proper watering is all that is needed to address this problem. Fungicides will only kill the BENEFICIAL fungi that is contained in all soil (except sterilized, store-bought).

And oh, as for water with the least amount of effective water...you do this because roots only grow as deep as they NEED to grow. To get a well-established, deep and hearty root system, you need to force the roots to compete for water.  This will encourage the roots to grow DOWN for water instead of staying shallow because of water sitting on top of the soil. The best part is that next season when you neighbor's lawn is brown and dry from underdeveloped roots, your lawn will be green will less water demand, and a smaller water bill.

Answer 2

Get close to the soil and smell it. if it smells like rotting eggs throw it away! otherwise it looks like your seeds are germinating. GOOD LUCK!

Answer 3

While it's important to keep the soil moist it is possible to over-water, especially at night. If it's too wet at night you're going to get fungus growth.

Also make sure to fertilize every 2 weeks or so after it sprouts.

Answer 4

You can't keep the soil moist at night or you will get fungus growth.  When the lawn comes in you will either have to treat the lawn with a fungicide if it is a fungus or treat it with a product containing ferrous sulfate if it is moss that is growing.  Soak the lawn in the morning and let is dry out thoughout the day and the fungus won't grow.

Answer 5

sounds like to much water.. it all depends were you live this happens in wet areas usually near the woods. either let the lawn grow in and remove the moss later or remove it now and seed that area again. keep the lawn damp not wet.. id say let it grow in and see how it looks with the grass..