We hate to hear your seed didn't germinate. Here are some tips that can help in your future efforts. When using the Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Soil or any other type of topdressing material don't spread it more than 1/4 inch thick. If it's more than a 1/4 inch it can smother the seed and prevent germination. The seeds should be in the soil, but not buried.

Water is also an important factor in successful seeding. The newly seeded areas must be kept constantly moist for weeks on end. Allowing the soil to dry out even for an hour during the critical germination phase can result in seedling death. This may require that you give the seeded areas a light watering two to three times a day for the first few weeks. After that, you will still need to keep the seedlings watered on a regular basis. The soil should feel moist like a wrung out sponge.

Seeds must come into direct contact with the soil in order to germinate. Our Research Department has told us that if seed is laid on top of old grass, you will have about a 2% germination rate. If you are seeding over an old lawn, we recommend that you rent a slit seeder. If this is not possible, vigorously rake the existing turf, or add a shallow layer of topsoil to the yard prior to seeding. Seed also needs exposure to sunlight. A heavy cover of straw, soil, or other material will cause the seeds to rot, or severely limit germination. Cover seeds with no more than 1/4 of an inch (.63 centimeter) of topsoil or lawn soil.

Two "enemies" of newly seeded lawns are herbicides and lawn diseases. While you have very little control over the outbreak of a lawn disease, do make sure that no weed control or weed prevention chemical has been used in the area, as those products will also prevent or inhibit germination. When used on newly germinated lawns, herbicides will kill off the new grass.

Finally, temperature plays a critical role in seed germination. Soil temperatures must be at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit for northern type turf grass seed to germinate (Bluegrass, ryegrass, fescue). Air temperature must typically be between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Seeds will not germinate if the temperatures are cold at night, or are fluctuating from high day temperature to very low night time temperatures. Very hot weather will also inhibit seed germination.

We hope you've found this information helpful and we want you to be confident in our products. For this reason, we offer a product guarantee to our consumers. At your earliest convenience please contact us to see what can be done. You may visit our contact page by clicking on the following link http://tinyurl.com/7ag7a3n