Arizona has two grass-planting seasons: winter and summer. Plant winter lawns during the first two weeks of October when nighttime temperatures drop below 65 degrees. For summer grass, plant in mid to late April, when temperatures rise just above 70 degrees.
Before you plant your grass seed, dethatch or aerate as needed. If you don’t need dethatching or aeration, rake your grass to till the soil. Prepare your soil by applying amendments and fertilizer. Choose your seed and spread it evenly, then cover it with topsoil or mulch. Water the grass two to four times daily until it is well-established, about 7 to 21 days.
When to plant winter grass in Arizona
For a green winter lawn, overseed within the first two weeks of October. The nighttime temperatures should be consistently below 65 degrees. This way, when the summer grass goes dormant, the winter grass is beginning to thrive.
Timing is everything:
- If you plant your winter lawn too early, it’ll struggle to compete with the summer grass. It will also struggle with the higher heat, and your winter lawn will be thinner.
- If you plant winter grass too late, the temperatures will drop too low for the vulnerable young seedlings. The lower temperatures will damage the grass, ruining your turf.
However, you can’t overseed all summer grasses. If you plan to grow a winter lawn, use these summer grasses:
- Bermudagrass
- Zoysiagrass
- Centipedegrass
Don’t overseed these summer grasses:
- Buffalograss
- St. Augustinegrass
- Blue grama
Overseed with these winter grasses
- Ryegrass. You can use annual or perennial, but perennial looks nicer.
- Kentucky bluegrass
- Fescue. While there are many kinds of fescues available, tall fescue is best for Arizona.
Choose the right grass seed for your area of Arizona for the lovely lawn of your dreams. For more information, check out Best Grass Seed for Arizona.
When to plant summer grass in Arizona
Plant summer grass from mid to late April, when temperatures are consistently above 70 degrees. As the winter grass starts to slumber, your summer grass will be ready for fun in the sun.
- Planting summer grass too early means the temperatures won’t be ideal for growth. The lawn won’t grow as hardy, opening it to disease and invasive Arizona weeds.
- Planting summer grass too late won’t give your grass enough time to establish before the blazing summer heat saunters in. The sun will scorch your young lawn, making it vulnerable to common lawn problems.
Caring for your newly planted seed
The days and weeks after your grass seed hits the ground are critical. It requires plenty of water and care before it’s ready to survive on its own.
A few key steps include:
Water the seed: Water grass seed two to four times per day for 5 to 10-minutes for a daily total of ⅛ to ¼ inch. Be careful not to oversaturate or the seeds won’t sprout. Once the grass starts sprouting, you can titter off to once a day. After establishing the grass, you can water it a few times a week, totaling 1 to 2 inches (depending on the grass type).
For more lawn watering information, check out this Grass Watering Schedule for Arizona Homeowners.
Mow: Once your lawn is about three inches long you can mow it for the first time. Do not take off more than an inch. After the fourth mow, apply weed control, following the manufacturer’s directions.
Your lawn can take anywhere from 7 to 21 days to establish, depending on your grass type. Once it’s established, follow our Month-by-Month Arizona Lawn Care Calendar. Carefully caring for your lawn will keep it weed and disease-free for you and your family to enjoy.
Frequently asked questions about grass seed in Arizona
Can I just toss grass seed on my lawn?
Technically, you can just toss grass seed on your lawn and walk away, but it won’t grow well. Birds will eat the seeds, and any that make it into the ground will struggle to grow in the unprepared soil.
Can you put too much grass seed down?
Yes, you can put too much grass seed down. Too much grass seed will cause competition for space, sunlight, and nutrients. Some seeds may not sprout while others will die off. Your lawn won’t grow as thick and dense as it should. Putting down too much grass seed is wastes product, money, and effort. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for the best results.
Trust the pros
Planting grass seed and tending your lawn are easy DIY tasks, so you don’t need to hire a professional if you don’t want to. But Arizonians are turning to professionals more and more. Why? Lawn care is tedious, time-consuming, and sweaty. If you don’t have the time, energy, or desire to deal with your grass, hiring a professional might be the right plan for you.
Unfortunately, finding an efficient, affordable, and experienced professional is daunting. That’s where Lawn Love can help. We’ve researched and vetted tons of local lawn care pros and can connect you with a professional that’s right for you, your home, and your wallet. Soon, you’ll be enjoying your weekends and coming home to gorgeous green grass. No sweat!
Main Image Credit: Mcmillin24 | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 3.0
