When to seed the grass

When is the Best Time to Plant Grass Seed?

With articles on the best time to lay sod and the best time to plant grass plugs, Sod University also tackles the discussion of the best time to plant grass seed. When it comes to this landscape project, a couple of different factors come into play. Is it warm season or cool season grass seed? Where are you geographically located? What is the purpose of the seeding project? Consult your local land-grant university for specific information on when to plant grass seed in the exact area you are located.

Generally speaking, you can plant grass seed any time of the year, but fall is the best time to seed a lawn with a cool season turfgrass variety. Spring is the best time to plant warm season turfgrass seed. Cool season varieties of grass seed include tall fescue seed, ryegrass seed or even Kentucky bluegrass seed. Warm season varieties can include grasses like bermuda grass, zoysia or St. Augustine. It should be noted, though, that there’s no such thing as St. Augustine seed. Read below to find out how you can successfully plant grass seed throughout different times of the year.

How to Plant Grass Seed in the Fall

Cool Season Grass Seed

Overall, fall is the best time to seed or overseed with a cool season variety no matter where you are located in the country. If you are above the transition zone, the best time slots are around the weeks between August 15th–October 1st. As you get farther south towards the transition zone, your window of opportunity expands a little more and you can seed during the weeks of Labor Day through the end of October instead.

If you follow these dates, your grass seed will germinate properly. You also won’t have as much weed pressure as you would during the spring or summer because of the killing freeze that will arrive a few months later.

This timeframe applies to seeding your entire lawn with grass seed or overseeding a warm season grass with a cool season grass. During the fall, homeowners will sometimes overseed their warm season bermuda grass with a cool season grass like ryegrass, for example, to keep it green during the winter once their bermuda grass goes dormant. Learn more about this in How to Keep Your Lawn Green During the Winter.

Warm Season Grass Seed

Fall is definitely not the best time to plant warm season grass seed because it may not have a lot of time to germinate before the onset of winter temperatures. Even if it does have time to germinate, it still may be a little too weak going into the winter and might be susceptible for winterkill and winter damage.

How to Plant Grass Seed in the Winter

It is not recommended that you plant grass seed during the winter months for either warm or cool season grass seed. The chances of it sticking around and not washing away during the winter are pretty low. The spring and fall seasons, in comparison, will guarantee the most success with seeding projects.

How to Plant Grass Seed in the Spring

Cool Season Grass Seed

Spring is the second best time to plant grass seed for cool season varieties. The best time to plant cool season grass seed during this season is somewhere between the weeks of April 1st–May 15th. This will give you a few weeks to get your seed to pop up from the surface of the soil. March is still pretty cold in the cooler areas up North.

You can expect more weed pressure in the spring, though, because weeds like crabgrass will be germinating around this same time. You also won’t want to overseed a warm season turfgrass with a cool season turfgrass in the spring.

Warm Season Grass Seed

Spring is the best time to plant warm season grass seed. The timeframe that guarantees the most success with a warm season turfgrass variety is around the month of May if you are located in northern areas of Georgia or North Carolina. As you get farther south, the window of opportunity expands.

Be sure to really irrigate your grass seed at this time as the proper amounts of irrigation will help it germinate before the onset of summer heat. The grass will fill in rapidly through the heat of the summer in July, August and early September.

A popular warm season variety homeowners love is centipede grass, which should stay within the May timeframe if you plan on seeding it. Centipede seed planted in May will really pop before it gets too hot, so this gives you time to have the proper irrigation and help it grow in beforehand.

How to Plant Grass Seed in the Summer

Cool Season Grass Seed

It is not recommended that you plant cool season grass seed at this time because the grass will be dormant. It will not be worth your time and effort unless you are located really far up North. Sod University suggests blocking out the dates of June–early August before doing this.

Warm Season Grass Seed

The summer is not ideal for warm season grass seed either because of the extreme heat. You would have to spend a lot of time and money irrigating it. It is possible to do this in the summer, but you will need to spend a lot more time and money on proper amounts of irrigation.

Recommended Products for Grass Seed Projects

Take a look at some of our products for your seeding project coming up. The Lawnifi® New Lawn Starter Box, which contains three bottles of Lawnifi product, is the best fertilizer for new seed. It contains everything newly seeded lawns need to establish thick, healthy grass including two bottles of Grow for improved soil health and one bottle of Maintain to feed the lawn. This fertilizer box will give your grass the nutrients it needs during establishment.

In summary, you can plant grass seed anytime during the year. However, fall is the best time to plant grass seed or overseed with a cool season grass seed while spring is the best time to plant warm season grass seed. The winter is not recommended for either cool or warm season grasses due to the harsh, cooler temperatures. This is partially due to the risk of seed being washed away or newly germinating seed heads experiencing winterkill. You can seed warm season grass in the summer, but you must be fully prepared to spend a lot of time and money irrigating it. It is not recommended you conduct seeding projects with cool season turfgrass in the summer because the grass will likely be dormant.

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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 plant lawn grass in spring

February 27 2020

It is believed that it is best to sow lawn grass for the winter, then you will get a stronger grass cover for the next year. However, you can sow the lawn in the spring, if you do it on time and choose the right seeds. If you still have not decided whether to sow lawn grass in spring or autumn, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the features of sowing a lawn in spring. So you can decide if this method of growing is right for you. nine0003

How to choose the type of lawn for sowing in the spring

Different types of lawns are selected for arranging a summer cottage, a country house, depending on its purpose. It is often possible to combine several options to create an unusual exterior that will serve not only as a place of rest, but will also look aesthetically pleasing.

Different types of lawns are used to improve the territory, let's look at the most popular ones.

An ordinary type of lawn is suitable for landscaping a recreation area, it is quite resistant to physical stress and is not very whimsical in care. When choosing grass in this case, the following options are used: creeping wheatgrass, wheatgrass, etc. nine0003

Parterre is considered the most spectacular option. To create such a coating, special soil treatment is needed. Such a lawn is resistant to low temperatures, droughts, it quickly recovers after mowing. Therefore, the parterre is rightfully considered an elite type of lawn. However, you need to know how to take care of it. The lawn is regularly watered (this should be done in the evening, and in the heat - twice a day). It needs to be cut regularly, and the cut grass should be removed immediately.

Sports pitches are characterized by resistance to physical impacts. Meadows are most suitable for creating a beautiful lawn over a large area. They are also suitable for creating a place for children to play. nine0003

Moorish lawn is special in that it uses mixtures of herbs and flowers that bloom at different times. Low-growing grasses in this case serve as a background. To keep such a lawn in an attractive form, you need to carefully look after it and systematically cut it. Its disadvantage can be called the fact that with improper care, the lawn quickly becomes unkempt. However, the flowering of its flowers will please the eye of any gardener.

Disembarkation dates

To grow any of the above lawns on your plot, you need to know when lawn grass is sown in spring.

Parterre lawn is sown in areas where there is a lot of sun, because the shade can cause thinning of the grass. Seeds are sown in dry, calm weather: they are mixed with sand 1:3 and sown manually or with a seeder. Wait until the weather is warm enough - you can sow the seeds in April.

Ordinary turf grass is best suited for a summer cottage, as it does not require complex maintenance. It is enough to trim it once a week. You can sow lawn grass in spring in April, May or in the first half of summer. So the grass will have time to sprout and get stronger before wintering. nine0003

Sports turf is sown where regular high loads are expected, but it grows back quickly. Please note that if the sports turf is rarely used, the grass will not grow well and may lose its decorative effect. You can sow the lawn as soon as warm weather sets in: this may be the middle or end of April (depending on the place where it will grow).

The terms of sowing meadow lawn are almost the same as other types. It is necessary to wait until nighttime temperatures are stable and do not fall below 5-10 ° C. Depending on the region, this may be the second half of April or the beginning of May (start from what spring was like in a particular year). nine0003

Moorish consists of herbs and wildflowers. Such lawns are best placed in remote parts of the garden so that they do not get trampled. With it, you can turn an area unsuitable for other plants into a flowering meadow. In the spring, this lawn can be sown in late April or May.

It is better to plant lawn grass in the country house in the spring on a quiet day without wind, after watering the planting area with water before that.

Soil preparation

If we have figured out the question of when to plant lawn grass in spring, then we need to talk about preparing the soil before sowing separately. After all, the choice of a site, its fertilizer, digging are all important aspects of growing a beautiful and healthy lawn. nine0003

So, for example, to grow a parterre lawn, you will have to work hard, because the lawn becomes completely dense in about 2-3 years. First of all, when preparing the site, you need to remove any debris, even the smallest. Weeds, pebbles, wood chips and branches - none of these should be present on the site where you are going to grow parterre lawn. Next, you need to make good drainage - it is needed so that puddles do not stagnate on the grass after heavy rain. If the area where the lawn will grow is at a slight slope, it is not necessary to equip the drainage. Such a lawn needs to be watered on time, so if possible, equip an automatic underground irrigation system. nine0003

The soil needs to be dug up on a shovel bayonet and fed. Compost or clay should be added to sandy soil, heavy soils should be diluted with river sand. Mineral fertilizers are also applied to the soil. The day before sowing, the site is rolled and watered abundantly.

Preparing the soil for other types of lawn is not much different from preparing the ground. The area where an ordinary lawn will grow is also cleared of debris and weeds (you can even treat the soil with chemicals to accurately remove the weed roots). After 3 weeks, the soil is dug up, fertilizers are applied and the site is allowed to rest for 2-3 weeks. Such preparation can be carried out not necessarily in the spring, but also before the winter. Before planting, the entire area can be fertilized with compost, then the soil is compacted. nine0003

For Mauritanian lawn, the soil is prepared, in general, as for the usual, only you need to carefully approach the issue of weed removal. Herbicides can be used to completely remove weeds. Also remember to fertilize the soil before sowing.

Soil preparation for sports and meadow lawns does not differ much from the previous ones. It is important to level the site if the area has a large slope. Create a drainage system, if necessary, equip an irrigation system. Then completely remove the weeds and clear the area. nine0003

For a lawn, the fertile soil layer must be at least 10 cm in order for the grass to grow and develop properly. Also keep in mind that lawn grass is sensitive to soil acidity. During the first time after sowing, you can also cover the area with a mosquito net to protect the seeds from wind and direct sunlight. The site, of course, is important to feed, but if the grass is overfed, the seedlings will turn yellow.

In the spring, it is important to provide the lawn with sufficient water once a week, remove weeds that will interfere with the growth of weak grass, cut and fertilize in a timely manner, in particular based on nitrogen and potassium. nine0003

What to do so that the seedlings are uniform in spring

After preparing the soil, you need to find out how to plant lawn grass in the spring so that the seedlings are friendly and there are no bald spots on the site. To do this, use some tips:

The site must be prepared for sowing in advance.
Make sure that there are enough nutrients in the top layer of the soil.
After you have chosen the area where the lawn will grow, divide it into small squares. Each plot needs to be sown up and down - then there will be fewer empty places. nine0074
An important point is lawn moisture, especially during a drought. Until the seedlings grow by 6 cm, they are watered manually with a watering can. Then you can use auto-watering.
Don't forget to cut your plants in time. As soon as the seedlings reach 6 cm, you can mow the lawn for the first time. Further, this procedure can be carried out, based on personal preferences and the characteristics of the grass that you have sown.
If you notice a bald spot (not overgrown area), it should be planted as soon as possible. The sooner you do this, the more uniform your lawn will look. nine0074
For the first couple of months, try not to walk around the area with crops, so as not to damage the still fragile roots of the plants.

Also consider the type of grass mixture you are planting. Some plants sprout almost immediately, others need at least a week to lie in the ground. For sowing the lawn, it is better to choose a calm day. Since the seeds are quite light and small, even a small wind can blow them off the ground. As a result, the lawn will not rise together, empty areas will be visible. Therefore, many summer residents recommend watering the site before sowing so that the seeds "stick" to the soil. nine0003

When sowing turf grass, also keep in mind that later sowing will germinate after 7-10 days. If sown earlier, the seedlings need more time to germinate. In this case, you can sow the seeds where they did not sprout.

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How to plant lawn grass - preparing a site for a lawn with your own hands

So! You have decided to get a lawn in your area. A reasonable question arises - when and how to plant lawn grass?
Let's start in order.

Content:

How to choose lawn grass
When to sow the lawn
Preparing the soil for lawn grass
How to plant lawn grass yourself
How to care for lawn grass
Seasonal lawn care

nine0122 How to choose lawn grass

The decisive issue for the choice of lawn grass mixture is its intended purpose. Usually the name of the lawn grass that you see on the packaging speaks for itself. For example:

Sports turf is a turf for high traffic areas. It can be sports and playgrounds, playgrounds for active games of dogs. Such a lawn is resistant to trampling, but grows quickly, which requires frequent mowing. nine0003

Parterre lawn - a lawn with a decorative function, serves as a backdrop for solitary plants and flower beds. It has a bright color and a beautiful sheen. Requires regular watering and space open to sunlight.

Dwarf Lawn is a lawn that contains low-growing and slow-growing grass species, which makes it easy to care for and minimizes the need for mowing. It is more often used as decorative, because it is subject to trampling. nine0003

Slope Turf - In this lawn, the grasses are selected to form a strong root layer (turf) that is able to hold the soil on the slope and prevent erosion.

When to sow lawn grass

In central Russia, lawn grass seeds can be planted immediately after the snow melts (late April - early May) and until the very end of the confidently warm season (usually October). In a later period, it is not recommended to sow the lawn, since the plants will not have time to fully get stronger before wintering, and as a result, in the spring it will be necessary to oversow, or even re-sow the lawn. nine0003

The most favorable period for sowing lawn grass is the end of April - May and September - the beginning of October.

If fresh fertile soil is brought in, it is worth waiting 1-2 weeks before sowing. After spilling the soil, wait 3-4 hours, then sow the lawn.

If sowing lawn grass is carried out in the summer, it is worth waiting for rainy cloudy days.

Do not overdo it with watering. Before germination - watering every day, then no more than 1 time per week. nine0003

The first lawn mowing is done when the grass is about 15 cm high.

Before planting the lawn, a drainage system must be established, and, if provided, an electrical supply system and an underground irrigation system.
In order for the lawn to look perfect, it is necessary to level the soil. The slope can be 1-3% to facilitate surface water runoff. A large lawn area can be given a greater slope, but not more than 30%.

Soil preparation for lawn grass

Weed removal

Removing weeds will ensure friendly seedlings, improve the appearance of the lawn and make it easier to further care for it.

Weed control methods:

Freezing is the death of underground parts of weeds in winter. To do this, in the fall it is necessary to carry out deep digging of the soil. nine0003

Suffocation - a long-term method based on repeated cutting of weeds at a shallow depth (harrowing for 2-3 years), the effect is achieved by exhausting the rhizome.

Provocation - a couple of weeks before sowing, it is necessary to prepare the soil, and when a lot of weed sprouts appear, they are loosened on the surface, thereby destroying them.

Mulching - covering the soil, depriving weeds of light. For this purpose, ripened compost is well suited, and crushed bark under trees and shrubs. nine0003

The new primer is the most effective, but laborious and more expensive method. Removing the old soil and laying out the new soil with a drainage system - the soil is removed to a depth of 30 cm and laid out in layers: crushed stone, sand and black earth, and a rolled lawn is laid on top or seeds of lawn grass mixture are sown.

Herbicides - Weeds must be treated when they are actively growing, but must not be mechanically damaged. Within 5-10 days, the herbicide spreads over the entire area of the plant and after 20-30 days the plant dies entirely. Approximately 15 days after the action of the preparation, the land can be cultivated. Herbicides are best applied in the fall if lawn grass is planned to be planted in the spring. nine0107

Plots on which weeds have already been removed, it would be good to protect from those that have not yet been processed.

The surface of the soil under the lawn must be leveled - there should be no mounds or holes. As a result, water will accumulate in the pits, which will lead to wetting of the grass, and the bumps will make it difficult for the lawn mower to work.

Soil fertility

The thickness of the fertile layer for the proper development of lawn grass should be at least 10 - 15 cm.
The soil should be improved, depending on its characteristics.

The soil mixture and all its components should be mixed well and embedded in detail into the soil, loosened to a depth of about 40 cm, so that the lower layers do not subsequently move upward. When carrying out these works, it is necessary to remove from the ground all parts of plants that have previously been treated with chemicals, and their roots must also be carefully removed.

In order to make it convenient to care for the edges of the lawn, it is better to fix them. Borders are usually decorated with materials such as gravel, crushed stone or pebbles. You can also use a stone border or tile - this will also look advantageous in a decorative way, and will give you access to mow the edges of the lawn, which will make mowing much easier. nine0003

How to sow lawn grass with your own hands

Level the soil with a rake. There should be no bumps or depressions.
Lawn grass seeding rate is usually indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging. Sowing is done by hand or with a special manual seeder, the site should be passed several times: in different directions (left to right, right to left and diagonally). This is done to evenly distribute the seeds over the entire area. nine0107 For convenience, seeds can be mixed with sand before sowing, then the seeds will not stick together, and sowing will be convenient and even.
Then roll the seeds with a special roller or close them with a rake.
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