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When to grass seed


How to Plant Grass Seed

Planting grass seed is an economical and satisfying way to expand the green space around your home or improve your existing lawn. In order to enjoy successful grass establishment and all the benefits seeding offers, follow these eight steps to grow a lush, inviting green lawn:

  1. Choose the Right Time of Year
  2. Prepare the Site
  3. Prepare the Soil
  4. Choose the Best Seed
  5. Plant the Seed
  6. Water Appropriately
  7. Monitor Seed Establishment
  8. Mow and Maintain

The time of year you plant grass seed has a direct effect on its success. Proper timing helps ensure your grass seed will germinate properly, grow quickly and remain healthy while new seedlings become established.

The best time to plant grass seed varies according to your grass growing region and the type of grass you grow. Lawns across the northern tier of the United States typically consist of cool-season grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue or perennial ryegrass. Planting during cool weather in fall and spring coincides with the most active growth periods for these grass types.

In Massachusetts, for example, early fall is the ideal time to plant grass seed.1 At this time, the ground is still warm enough to aid germination, but the days are cool and sometimes rainy. This combination helps ensure newly planted seeds don't dry out. There's also sufficient daylight in early fall to allow new grass to thrive and become established before winter's arrival.

Spring seeding is your second best option for planting cool-season grasses. Aim to seed early in the season, but wait until daytime temperatures are in the 60 to 75 degree Fahrenheit range. This roughly corresponds to the optimal soil temperatures for cool-season grass seed germination. Spring sunshine and rain both contribute to strong grass growth.

For lawns across the southern half of the U.S., warm-season lawn grasses such as Bermudagrass, Zoysia grass, Bahiagrass and Centipede grass are the rule. These grasses are best planted during their optimal growth period, which falls in spring and early summer instead of fall. Wait to plant warm-season grasses until daytime temperatures stay near 80 F or higher and all danger of a late spring frost in your area has passed.


A healthy, attractive lawn starts with proper site preparation. Proper grading of the site prior to planting is important, as it helps ensure water drains away efficiently and allows for easy mowing. Sloping the lawn area away from buildings at a rate of 1 to 2 percent is recommended.2 Avoid creating steeper slopes, as they tend to cause lawns to dry out too quickly. Smooth the site well to avoid depressions, which can create wet spots that are hard to mow and prone to disease.

If you intend to replace the entire lawn, it's important to do a thorough job of removing the old turf. Use a sod cutter to take out the old grass at the roots. Another option for clearing the area is to spray the lawn with a non-selective herbicide, which kills both grass and broadleaf plants. If you choose to spray, follow label instructions for your product closely and avoid any contact with grass or plants you want to keep.

After the product's designated waiting period, reapply as needed to kill any remaining grass. Once you're certain that the turf you want to replace is dead, clear the dead grass from the site and make any needed adjustments to the grade to prepare for seeding.

Optimum soil conditions boost successful seed germination and support healthy turf growth. To prepare your soil for planting, do the following:

To succeed at growing a healthy lawn, it's important to buy quality grass seed that is well-suited to your climate and your growing conditions. Premium, purebred Pennington Smart Seed grasses are water-conserving, drought-resistant and developed for superior performance in home lawns.

Whether you grow warm-season or cool-season grasses depends primarily on where you live. Warm-season lawn grasses are best suited to southern climates and grow most vigorously during the warm months of the year. They typically go dormant and brown in the winter. Cool-season grasses are typically used in northern and transition zone lawns, growing best where summers are moderate and winters are cold. They remain green all year, but can go brown and dormant in heat and drought.

In many areas of the country, you can opt for a mix of seed specific to your region. Smart Seed mixes are designed for lawns in the Midwest, Northeast, Pacific Northwest and Pennsylvania State. If you're growing lawn grass in shade, choose a grass seed product such as Pennington Smart Seed Dense Shade, which is formulated especially for challenging low-light conditions. For lawns with variable shade and sun, Pennington Smart Seed Sun & Shade provides the solution you need.

Once amendments are complete and your soil surface is smooth and prepped, broadcast the seed evenly according to your seed product's recommended seeding rates. Remember to carefully review the seed package label instructions and follow the guidelines. Misapplication of seed can lead to unsatisfactory results.

Choosing the right type of spreader for your situation helps you get the results you need. A drop spreader drops seed straight down in a path the width of your spreader as you move across your lawn. This type of spreader maneuvers well in tight spaces and is ideal for small lawns (less than 5,000 sq. ft.), which typically require more precision in where the seed lands.

A broadcast or rotary spreader comes in walk-behind and hand-held types that spread seed by fanning it out in all directions, providing more uniform coverage. These spreaders are ideal for large lawns, but they lack the precision drop spreaders provide.

Once you finish spreading the seed, use a rake to lightly work it into the soil at a depth of about 1/4 inch. Don't bury the seeds any deeper; grass seed needs adequate light to germinate quickly. After raking, pass over the area with a roller, which helps ensure the good seed-to-soil contact your new seed needs.

Overseeding is the process of planting grass seed into an existing lawn. This is done to improve your lawn's overall look and health, thicken your grass, minimize weeds, fill in bare or damaged areas, or convert to another type of lawn grass. Also, southern lawns are often overseeded with a cool-season grass to provide green color during winter months. When overseeding, broadcast the seed over the lawn, and water it in well, following the same instructions as for new lawns.

Keeping grass seeds and seedlings constantly moist but not soggy is critical to successful grass-seeding efforts. Water newly seeded areas two to three times a day with a light spray to keep the seeds moist. Stop watering when puddles begin to appear on the soil surface. Once the seeds germinate and grass seedlings begin to grow, gradually transition to watering less frequently but more heavily. Taper off watering as the grass becomes taller and more mature.


Depending on the type of grass you're growing, germination may take anywhere from five to 21 days. Expect your new grass to take another four to 10 weeks to root well and become established. It will take a full season for most grasses to mature to the point where they're ready for steady foot traffic.

Once your new seedlings reach about 1 inch in height, examine the newly seeded area for any bare spots or places you may have missed. Reseed the bare areas, and repeat the process as needed until new seedlings are thick and you're satisfied with the results.

Once your grass reaches 3 inches high, it's ready to withstand mowing. Always follow best practices for mowing lawns, including the recommended mowing heights for your type of grass. Never remove more than one-third of the grass blade in a single mowing or you can stress your grass and invite lawn disease, lawn weeds and weak growth. With fall-planted cool-season lawns, your first mowing may need to wait until the following spring.

During the first season of establishment, young grass is still tender, so avoid as much foot traffic as possible. Keep your grass growing strong with regular maintenance, including irrigation. Water as needed to supplement rainfall so your lawn receives about 1 inch of water per week under normal conditions.

Begin fertilizing cool-season lawns four to eight weeks after seed germination, but never later than November. For warm-season grasses, wait until the following spring to feed your new lawn. After initial feedings, you might need to fertilize up to four times a year, according to your soil test recommendations. Retest the soil every three to four years, and adjust accordingly.

Conclusion

By choosing the best grass for your region and your lawn's conditions — and following these simple guidelines — planting grass seed is a straightforward project that will transform for your yard. Pennington is dedicated to providing you with the resources and premium products you need to grow lush, beautiful turf. You and your family and friends can enjoy all the benefits of a beautiful, natural lawn.

Total Time Required to Transform Your Lawn: 6-12 weeks, depending on the region, weather and grass type.

How hard you'll have to work on a scale of 1-4: 3 (a little work goes a long way especially during the prep phase)

Time breakdown:

Pennington and Smart Seed are registered trademarks of Pennington Seed, Inc.

Sources:

1. University of Massachusetts Amherst, “Lawn Renovation and Overseeding."

2. Ricigliano, D., "Lawn Establishment, Renovation and Overseeding," University of Maryland Extension, 2016.

3. Nathan, M. and Fresenburg, B., "Soil Testing for Lawns," University of Missouri Extension, June 2008.

4. Grande, J., "Seeding Your Lawn," Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, February 2004.

The Best Time to Plant Grass

When your sights are set on a thick, lush lawn, planting grass seed represents an investment of time, money, labor and hope. From seeding new lawns to repairing rough spots and renewing existing turf, proper timing separates sweet success from something less. Your best time for planting grass seed depends on the type of lawn grass you grow and where you live. Understanding your options and getting timing right helps you seize every opportunity for seeding success.


WHY TIMING MATTERS

Grass grows fastest and strongest when your planting season aligns with the seeds' natural periods of active growth. Just as with other kinds of plants in your landscape, lawn grasses vary in their growth cycles and regional climate preferences.

Cool-season grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass and tall fescue, including Kentucky 31 tall fescue, grow most vigorously during the cool temperatures of late summer and early fall. These grasses flourish across cooler northern climates and into the challenging "transition zone" where cool and warm regions overlap.

Warm-season grasses, such as Bermudagrass, Bahiagrass, Zoysia grass and Centipede grass peak in growth during the warmer temperatures of late spring and early summer. These grasses thrive in southern and western regions and up into the transition zone's southern reaches.


Whether you grow cool- or warm-season grasses, timing your seeding to take advantage of your grass type's natural periods of peak growth helps seed germinate and establish quickly. Your seed gets off to the best possible start and gets on track for both short- and long-term success.


WHY FALL IS BEST FOR COOL-SEASON GRASSES

Several distinct advantages make fall the best time to plant cool-season grass seed. In early autumn, the soil is still warm from months of summer sun. This combination of warm soil, moderate daytime temperatures and cool evenings encourages fast germination and establishment of newly sown cool-season grass seed.

Cool-season grass seed germinates best when soil temperatures reach 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. This roughly corresponds to daytime air temperatures in the 60°F to 75°F range. An inexpensive soil thermometer, available at garden stores and online retailers, can help eliminate the guesswork.

The farther north you live, the earlier cool fall temperatures and ideal planting times come. For example, Minnesotans in the Upper Midwest seed cool-season lawns from mid-August to mid-September.1 For transition-zone lawn owners in central and northern Arkansas, September and October are the best time for seeding cool-season lawns. 2


Fall seeding complements the natural growth cycles of cool-season grasses.

As a general rule, plant cool-season grass seed at least 45 days before the estimated date of your first fall frost, before soil and air temperatures drop to less favorable levels. Your grasses will enjoy a full fall season, plus a second cool growing season come spring. Your local county extension agent can help with advice on average frost dates and optimal timing for seeding lawns in your area.

Newly planted seed needs consistent soil moisture, and fall planting offers benefits on that front, too. Fall typically brings more precipitation, which lessens the chance that cool-season seeds may dry out, and reduces the need for extra watering on your part. Using premium drought-tolerant, water-conserving grass seed products, such as Pennington Smart Seed and Pennington One Step Complete, lowers the risk of problems even more.

The second best time to seed cool-season lawn grasses is in the spring, once soil and air temperatures warm back up to their optimal range. However, late-melting snows and early spring rains can keep soil cold and overly wet, giving early weeds an advantage. Grasses also have less time to settle in before higher temperatures inhibit germination and cool-season grass growth begins to slow.


WHY SPRING IS BEST FOR WARM-SEASON GRASSES

Warm-season grasses germinate best when soil temperatures are consistently in the 65°F to 70°F range. This generally corresponds to daytime air temperatures near 80°F or more. Planting in late spring and early summer gives warm-season grasses the advantage of warm soil and early seasonal rains, which help keep soil moisture available during germination and establishment.


Moderate spring weather helps spring-planted grass seed flourish.

As with cool-season grasses, best warm-season planting times vary by location. In California, mid-April to mid-May is prime time for seeding warm-season lawns.3 In central and southern Arkansas, lawn owners plan their warm-season grass seeding for late May through June. 2 It's tempting to get out and seed at the first hint of spring, but patience pays off. Wait until all danger of frost has passed and soil warms. Cold, wet soil is a recipe for poor germination, rotting seed and disease. Your county extension agent can help with expected frost dates and timely advice when unexpected weather conditions factor in.

As a general rule, warm-season grasses planted at least 90 days before the first fall frost have time to establish well before winter. These summer-loving grasses go dormant once temperatures drop near 55°F, so late-planted seedlings can't prepare for what's ahead. With proper timing, warm-season grass seed gets a natural boost from summer's warmth and a full season of active growth and development before cooling temperatures bring on winter dormancy.

One exception to the spring seeding rule for warm-season lawns is when overseeding with a cool-season grass, such as perennial ryegrass, for temporary winter color. Overseeding for green winter grass is always done in fall, once temperatures drop and warm-season lawns begin to go dormant and lose color.




WHAT TO EXPECT FROM NEWLY PLANTED GRASS SEED

Proper timing allows all types of grass seedlings to root well and get established before natural stresses hit. What that looks like in your lawn can vary depending on your grass type, your growing region and the conditions in any given year.

Grass types and varieties vary in their natural germination speeds. For example, cool-season Kentucky bluegrass germination can take two to three times as long as tall fescue varieties. Similarly, warm-season Zoysia grass may take two to three times longer than Bermudagrass. In addition, many seed products include a mix of seed types that germinate at different speeds.

Whether you're repairing bare spots, overseeding an existing lawn or starting from scratch, you can generally expect grass seedlings to emerge within seven to 21 days when grown under proper conditions. It may take another three to four weeks of growth before grass is long enough to mow. For fall-planted seed, this can mean waiting until spring for your first mowing. Some grasses, such as Zoysia grass, may need several months of growth to fully establish.

Much of the initial growth of new grass seedlings happens underground, where you can't see it. New roots get grass firmly established, prepared for the seasons ahead and positioned for strong, rapid growth when their peak season arrives. With proper timing, new grass seedlings compete well for light, water and nutrients and fight off lawn diseases and pests, including lawn weeds.


Time your planting so that new seedlings become established before stressful seasons.


HOW TO MAXIMIZE THE TIMING ADVANTAGE

Even when you plant your grass seed at the best possible time, your lawn still needs help to thrive. Whether this is your first lawn or you're the neighborhood expert, take some advice from turf professionals and get to know your grasses and your soil before you start seeding. Follow through on best practices for preparing and planting and don't neglect traditional tasks, such as fall lawn care, that help keep your grass and soil healthy, well-nourished and ready to support new growth.

Do your research to understand what's in a bag of grass seed and the company behind the seed. Pennington is committed to producing the finest grass seed products possible and providing you with educational resources to help your seed project succeed. By timing your lawn tasks properly, you can maximize your advantage and seed your way to the lawn of your dreams.

Pennington, Smart Seed and One Step Complete are trademarks of Pennington Seed, Inc.

Sources:

1. Mugaas, R. and Pedersen, B., "Seeding and Sodding Home Lawns," University of Minnesota Extension.

2. Patton, A. and Boyd, J., "Seeding a Lawn in Arkansas," University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.

3. UC Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program, "Planting Times and Rates for Grasses That Can Be Established From Seed," University of California.

When to sow seeds for seedlings: timing of sowing vegetables

When to sow seeds for seedlings? Perhaps this is one of the most burning questions of summer residents at the end of winter and early spring. The quality of seedlings directly affects the future harvest, and planting seeds on time is very important. On the one hand, the seedlings must fulfill their main function: to ensure early fruiting, on the other hand, it is also impossible to outgrow the seedlings, the crop will suffer.

The timing of sowing seeds for seedlings depends on many factors: time for germination, vegetation period, variety, etc. Knowing some characteristics of seeds and crops, it is possible to calculate the date of sowing to the nearest day.

Gardeners have a special method to do this. Countdown formulas come to the rescue.

When to sow seeds for seedlings: formulas for calculating the date

What do we need to know in order to use this or that formula? You will need information that is usually found on seed bags: the time of emergence of seedlings, the recommended age of seedlings, or the length of the crop's growing season.

The first formula for calculating the date of sowing seeds for seedlings is based on the planned date of planting this seedling into the ground.

For example, every year we plant tomato seedlings in the greenhouse on May 5 and we are not going to deviate from this tradition. In this case, we need to take into account two factors: the age of the seedlings and the time for germination. On a bag of seeds we read that seedlings are recommended to be planted at the age of 50 days, and seedlings appear 5-7 days after sowing. We subtract 50 days from May 5 and another 5-7 days. It turns out that we need to sow seeds for seedlings on March 9-11.

The second formula can be used if we have not yet decided on the date of planting seedlings, but we know exactly when the first harvest is needed.

For example, my grandson's birthday is June 28, and we desperately need the first tomatoes for the table. This time we will have to find on the bag information about the period of seed germination and the length of the growing season. We find: the seeds germinate in 6-8 days, and the growing season is 125-130 days. We act in the same way as in the first example: June 28 - 125-130 days - 6-8 days. Seeds must be sown on February 10-12.

These simple calculations give us quite definite dates for sowing seeds for seedlings.

If you don't see the information you need on the seed packets, use our reference table for all major crops.

Data for calculating the date of sowing seeds for basic cultures

watermelon
Average vegetation period : early grades-65-80 days, mid-generation-mid-generation-midday and mid-private-midomitement , late varieties - 88-110 days.
Seedling age: 20-25 days.
The time of the appearance of seedlings: 3-7 days
Basil
Average vegetation period : 140-160 days
Extrays 5-7 days.
Eggplant

Seedling age: 50-60 days.
Germination period: 7-10 days.
Melon

Seedling age: 20-25 days.
Germination period: 3-7 days.
Strawberry
Average growing season : perennial crop.
Seedling age: 50-70 days.
Germination period: 10-30 days.
Zucchini
Average growing season : 40-60 days.
Seedling age: 20-25 days.
Germination period: 2-4 days.
White cabbage
Average vegetation period : early varieties - 85-100 days, middle varieties - 100-130 days, late varieties - 140-180 days.
Seedling age: 45 days.
Germination period: 3-4 days.
Potatoes
0 days, late varieties - 95-120 days.
Seedling age: 30-40 days.
Germination period: 5-8 days.
Cucumber

Seedling age: 20-25 days for outdoors, 30-35 days for greenhouses.
Seedling time: 2-4 days.
Peretz
The average vegetation period : early grades-80-110 days, mid-season varieties-110-125 days, later varieties-130-150 days.
Seedling age: 50-60 days.
Germination period: 7-10 days.
Celery
Average growing season : 140-200 days.
Seedling age: 60-70 days.
Germination period: 7-10 days.
tomatoes
The average vegetation period : early grades-70-100 days, mid-season varieties-111-125 days, late grades-115-130 days.
Seedling age: tall - 50-60 days, medium-sized - 50-55 days, standard - 40-45 days.
Germination period: 5-8 days.
Pumpkin
The average vegetation period : early grades-95-100 days, mid-season varieties-100-120 days, late varieties-125-150 days.
Seedling age: 20-25 days.
Germination period: 2-4 days.

For those who do not want to calculate the sowing dates for seedlings according to the formulas, we have another small reference table. It provides approximate planting dates depending on the region. 5-10 February February 10-March 15 21-31 March 8-10 February February 25-March 10, Zucchini May 1-10 April 25-May 15-May 15 May May 15 May May 15-May May 15 is May May 15 May May 10-15, May 10-20 May 15-June 10, Belief Better-Capasal Early 10-15 February 1-15 March 15-25 March 900 March 10-15 White cabbage average 20-25 March March 25-April 15, 25-30 April April 25, -April 20, Cucumber 10-15 10-15 10-15 April April 5-30, May 1-10, April 25-30, April 1-15, Perets 5-10 February 10 March 11-20 March 10- 10- 10- 10- 10- March 20 March 1-15 Early February 25-March 5, 10-25 March March 10-April 15, April 1-5, 1-25 March Medium-faced and late 1-late March 10 March 10-25 March 11-20 March 10-22 March 20-30

The conditions for growing seedlings, the possibility or impossibility of additional illumination, the quality of seeds, the weather outside the window, and much more make their own adjustments to our plans.
Nevertheless, seedlings planted in due time are the first step towards a good harvest.

We wish you success and great harvests!

When to plant seeds for seedlings in Russia - sowing formula

If you prepare seedlings of vegetables, flowers or medicinal herbs yourself, you are guaranteed to get an excellent result. Of course, provided that everything is done correctly and on time. And it's not difficult at all. We will tell you when you need to sow seeds for seedlings and what features you need to consider.

Climatic features of Russia

In our country, the number of warm days in a year varies greatly. In the southern regions - more than 180, in the Far East - about 120, in the Urals and Siberia - about 60. But it is the climatic conditions that determine the time for planting plants on the site, and hence the time for sowing seeds. Strong healthy seedlings need to be planted in open ground - otherwise they will simply die or be frail and painful, which will bring no less grief.

Seed germination time

Seed germination time of different crops also varies greatly. For example, vegetables sprout fairly quickly. In the southern regions - after 5-8 days, in the northern regions - after 20-25 days. Flower seeds - from a week to 2-3 months. In addition, there are very beautiful ornamental plants (barberry, saxifrage, hellebore, hyacinth beans, etc.), which require stratification for germination. Their shell is so dense that without exposure to cold, which causes cracking of the peel, the sprouts simply cannot break through. Information about the timing of stratification is contained on the packages with seeds and can range from a week to 3-4 months. Winter is the best time to dig such seeds in a plot under a layer of snow, and not lower the temperature in your refrigerator below +4 ° C to the detriment of the taste and aroma of the products on the shelves.

The magic formula for sowing seeds for seedlings

There are so many horticultural crops that we simply cannot cover everything, taking into account the climatic characteristics of your region, and even the terrain within it. We suggest using the universal formula: D \u003d A + B + C.

A - the number of days from sowing the seeds until the emergence of seedlings.
B - the number of days from germination to picking seedlings.
C - the number of days before planting seedlings in unprotected soil or a greenhouse.
D - the sum of days that determines the date of sowing seeds for seedlings.

Now you can calculate for yourself when to plant seeds for seedlings. We want to dwell in more detail on such an important point as the health and strength of seedlings before planting in open ground.

Strong, healthy seedlings

Many garden plants require hardening off in order to bloom profusely. This means that the picked seedlings need to be accustomed to life in the open air. Gazania, cyclamen, celosia, marigolds, petunia, zinnia should be transferred after picking to a cool room with a temperature of 14-16 °. Then, once in open ground conditions, they will not be capricious, but will immediately start to grow.

Vegetables are also divided into cold-resistant (radishes, beets, carrots, parsnips) and heat-loving (tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, cucumbers, cabbage, melons). The first will adapt to life in the open field on their own. The second is very important not to outgrow. After all, if the seedlings get used to greenhouse conditions, it will be difficult to adapt to the temperature instability of open ground. They will start to hurt, be capricious and will not be able to give a good harvest. Among them are very popular garden crops, so we have compiled a special table showing the optimal age of seedlings - from the moment germination to planting on the site (in days):

Hardened, not overexposed seedlings are strong and compact (do not stretch or bend), tolerate transplanting easily, quickly adapt to the open air, willingly start growing and give a rich and generous harvest.

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