Have your lawn seeding efforts been unsuccessful? You may not be planting your grass seed at the optimal time.
The best time to plant grass seed largely depends on the type of grass you want to grow. Warm-season grasses thrive with spring seeding, whereas cool-season grasses are best seeded in late summer to early fall. However, you can plant cool-season grasses in the spring if temperatures are warm enough.
Warm-season vs. cool-season grasses
Warm-season grasses thrive during summer, especially when temperatures reach 75 to 90 degrees. These grasses go dormant and turn brown during cooler months but bounce back when warmth returns. Warm-season grasses are typically more drought-tolerant and require less water than their cool-season counterparts, making them ideal for southern states.
Cool-season grasses grow best during spring and fall when temperatures are between 60 and 75 degrees. These grasses maintain their green color longer throughout the year but may struggle during intense summer heat. Cool-season grasses establish well in regions with cold winters and moderate summers, particularly in northern states and the transition zone.
| Warm-season grasses | Cool-season grasses |
| Bahiagrass | Bentgrasses |
| Bermudagrass | Fine fescue |
| Buffalograss | Kentucky bluegrass |
| Centipedegrass | Perennial ryegrass |
| St. Augustinegrass | Tall fescue |
| Zoysiagrass |
Read more: How to Plant Grass Seed and An Ultimate Guide to Grass Types
When to plant warm-season grasses
Spring is the best time of year to plant warm-season grasses because it’s warm and wet, promoting vigorous growth.
“Warm-season grasses germinate faster and grow faster when soil temperatures are above 70 degrees,” says Richard Duble, a retired turfgrass expert. “If warm season grasses are planted too early, they are very slow to develop,” he adds.
Planting warm-season grass in spring gives it several months to develop a strong root system before winter arrives. If you plant too late in the growing season, the grass won’t have enough time to establish itself before the first frost, which could damage or kill the young grass.
In addition, the spring months are generally rainier, which reduces how much water you need to use. Grass seed and seedlings need a lot of water to survive, and seasonal rain will help you keep your soil moist.
The exact time for planting your warm-season grass seed depends on your location. I’ve outlined a few states with their ideal planting ranges:
- Alabama: April to June
- California: March to June
- Florida: February to July
- Louisiana: March to June
- North Carolina: March to July
- Tennessee: May to June
- Texas: April to June
Generally, the farther south you travel, the sooner you can plant grass seed and the wider your time window becomes.
Read more: Lawn Care Calendar for Warm-Season Grass
When to plant cool-season grasses
The best time to plant cool-season grass seeds is late summer to early fall, when the soil is warm and moist, and weeds are not prominent.
“Cool-season grasses germinate faster and grow faster when soil temperatures are below 70 degrees,” says Duble.
Planting in late summer to early fall gives your cool-season grass time to establish before winter. Cool-season grasses only need 45 days of growth before the first frost to survive freezing temperatures. However, don’t plant too late, or else your new grass may die.
Never plant cool-season grasses during the peak of summer. When it gets too hot, your grass seed will not grow and will most likely die.
Like spring, fall usually brings more rain. You might not need to water your grass as frequently if the seasonal rains keep your soil damp. New grass requires ample water to thrive.
In addition, there are fewer weeds around during fall. Summer annual weeds, such as dreaded crabgrass, will start dying by the end of summer. This means your grass seed will not have to compete with weeds for nutrients, water, space, and sunlight.
The ideal time for planting your cool-season grass seed depends on where you live. I’ve outlined a few states with their ideal planting ranges:
- California: September to November
- Kansas: September through early October
- Maine: August to mid-September
- Montana: August to mid-September
- Nebraska: August to mid-October
- New York: August to mid-September
- Ohio: August to October
- Oklahoma: September to early October
- Oregon: September to October
- Tennessee: September to early October
- Wisconsin: August to mid-September
As a rule of thumb, the further north you go, the earlier you can plant your grass seed, as the temperature will drop quicker.
If you are seeding cool-season grass to keep your warm-season lawn green in the winter, aim to put your seeds down on the ground after your warm-season grass has gone dormant, usually around mid to late October.
Read more: Lawn Care Calendar for Cool-Season Grass
How to care for new grass
Grass seed and seedlings require much more care than an established lawn. Here are some points to remember when taking care of new grass:
- Keep your new lawn damp, but not saturated. Strive to maintain moisture in the top inch of soil. You should water your lawn daily (or more frequently in hotter weather or if you have sandy soil).
- Mow only when the grass has reached sufficient height. Wait until it is one-third taller than the recommended mowing height, which depends on the type of grass you planted.
- Apply starter fertilizer to nourish your new grass. This fertilizer is specifically designed for young grass.
- Remove weeds whenever possible. Only apply weed killers after you’ve mowed your lawn for the first time. Choose to hand weed before that time.
Read our complete guide: How to Care for New Grass
FAQs about grass seed
Yes, you can plant cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and tall fescue in spring. However, fall is the optimal time for planting as spring-seeded lawns may face increased competition from weeds and stress from summer heat.
Yes, you can plant grass seed in early winter, dormant seeding, and in late winter by frost seeding.
Read our guide: What’s the Difference Between Frost Seeding and Dormant Seeding?
The fastest-germinating grass type is perennial ryegrass, which can germinate in as little as five days.
Read more:
How Long Does It Take New Grass Seed to Grow?
Fastest-Growing Grass Types
Hire a pro to seed your lawn
For the best results, you should plant grass during the most ideal conditions. So, seed in early fall if you have cool-season grass or in spring if you have warm-season grass.
If you’re too busy to seed during these times, hire a local lawn care pro to seed your lawn for you instead. Lawn Love’s pros can be with you every step of the way, from lawn aeration to prep the soil up to the first mow of your new turf.
Sources
- Integrated Pest Management Program of the University of Missouri
- University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture
- University of Arizona Cooperative Extension
- North Carolina State University Extension Publications
- University of Maine Cooperative Extension
- Oregon State University Extension Service
- Kansas State University Research and Extension Johnson County
- University of California Agriculture & Natural Resources Integrated Pest Management Program
Main Photo Credit: Freepik
