If your lawn is thin or in bad shape, you may wonder when to plant grass seed. You can start a new lawn, fix bare patches, or invigorate an existing lawn by planting grass seed.
The best time to plant grass seed is from mid- to late-spring and in early fall. Some grasses should be planted in early summer. Read on to learn preferable and allowable times to plant grass seed.
Planting by Grass Type
Grass seed is divided into cool-season and warm-season grasses. Cool-season grasses can be planted in spring or fall, while warm-season grasses can be planted in summer.
| Cool Season Grass | Warm Season Grass |
| Bentgrass | Bahia grass |
| Kentucky bluegrass | Bermudagrass |
| Sheep fescue grass | Buffalo grass |
| Tall fescue grass | St. Augustine grass |
| Wheatgrass | Zoysia grass |
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Planting by Season
When planting grass seed, stick to planting in the preferred season as much as possible. In some cases, you can push into other seasons. However, the likelihood of failure is higher during off-seasons.
Spring
Spring is a prime season for planting cool-season grass. It's best to plant the grass earlier in spring than closer to summer, as this type of grass can tolerate cold better than heat.
Planting closer to summer risks the grass not properly germinating or not surviving the heat. The seed is ready to germinate as the soil rises to the optimal temperature of 65°F.
When planting warm-season grass, it's best to wait until summer. However, if you decide to plant it during spring, wait until late in spring.
Summer
Summer is the best season for planting warm-season grasses. Planting at a different time means the soil may not be warm enough for the seeds to germinate. Late May to early June is considered the best time to plant warm-season grasses.
Summer is so unfavorable for cool-season grasses that seeds should not be planted during this season. Consistently high temperatures, the prevalence of weeds, and long daylight hours contribute to a hostile growing environment.
If you do decide to plant cool-season grass in summer, the optimal time to do so is late August to early September.
Fall
Along with spring, fall is a good time to plant cool-season grass such as hard fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, or perennial ryegrass.
Preferably, plant cool-season grass after September 1 as this avoids the hot summer temperatures but steers clear of cold snaps. While weeds are always an issue, they are less of a problem as summer rolls into fall.
Do not plant warm-season grass in the fall.
Winter
It's preferable to plant grass seed in seasons other than winter. But it is possible to sow grass seed in winter if you're unable to do it at other times.
With dormant seeding, cool-season grass seed is sown in snow or anywhere with temperatures consistently below freezing. The seed remains dormant until the temperature rises and the seed and ground thaw. The seed should then germinate and sprout.
| Grass | Best Time to Plant |
| Annual ryegrass | Fall |
| Bahia grass | Early summer or late spring |
| Bermudagrass | Early summer or late spring |
| Buffalograss | Early summer or late spring |
| Colonial bentgrass | Fall or spring |
| Creeping bentgrass | Fall or spring |
| Dichondra | Early summer or late spring |
| Hard fescue | Fall or spring |
| Kentucky bluegrass | Fall or spring |
| Perennial ryegrass | Fall or spring |
| Tall fescue | Fall or spring |
7 Tips for Planting Grass Seed Successfully
Planting grass seed that thrives season after season can be tough. But here are tips to help you successfully establish grass from seed.
Use the correct seed: Choose a grass seed appropriate to your region. Also, consider whether the lawn will get full or partial sun and how much traffic it will receive.
Plant at the right time: Prepare the site and have all tools and materials on hand. If you miss the planting window, waiting for the next one is usually best.
Level the site: Level the yard by filling sunken areas with soil and bringing down high areas with a rake and shovel. The lightweight grass seed may get washed away if the yard is not leveled.
Prepare the soil: Remove rocks and weeds, break up hard dirt, and condition the soil to a pH of 6.0 to 7.0.
Fertilize after planting: Fertilize the lawn to give the grass seed a necessary boost for growing.
Control weeds: Eliminate common lawn weeds like dandelions, ragweed, and crabgrass. Instead of using herbicides, selectively remove weeds with weeding tools.
Wait to mow: Avoid mowing for two months or until the roots are firmly established.
Read the original article on The Spruce.
