Im in the northeast: over seeded ( Iknow I should have done that in fall but I just moved in december) and used scott patchmaster and spot seeded some bare areas about 11-14 days ago... some new grass "shoots" have germinated, but I see many areas that just have seed just lying there... my grass is getting very long, nearly unsightly but I'm hesitant to mow because of the "fear" that I will pick up in the mower all that seed that has yet to germinate... any thoughts on this? Will the mower at this time lift seed?

Thanks:confused:

Use a milching mower or at least one that does not collect clippings. Sharpen that balde, those young shoots are pretty soft.

Agree with previous answer if your grass is long enough to need mowing it could be shading out the unsprouted areas and keeping them from growing. Realize that because the growing point on a grass blade is a few inches down from the tip cutting the grass and blowing the clippings onto the bare spots could cause little grass plants to propagate vegetatively too to thicken up your lawn

You will have much better luck if you cover the patches with burlap and water early in the morning every day. If you water late the seeds may rot. The burlap will not let the warer evaporate as fast. The grass will grow through the burlap. Use stakes for lawn fabric to attach burlap to ground.

Patchmaster is an easy way out. If you don't use it, use some starter fertilizer and cover the seeds lightly with dirt, preferably good topsoil. Use lime if your soil is clay.

I for one would not mow until all, or most of the grass has taken even though you have some grass that's has really taken off and is quite long. It doesn't matter re tall grass shading seeds and stopping them from sprouting, that is hogwash. The damage that can be done with a mower to new grass seed is the wheels. I would rather wait and get maximum results from the hard work of leveling, topsoiling and putting down seed, rather then mow over and reduce the effect and have to go over it again.

The best part of being a good gardener is waiting out results and having the patience to se a good job through.