August 15 through September is the best time to plant grass seed in Maine, when soil temperatures hover around 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cool-season grasses are on their fall upswing in late summer, making it the perfect time to repair summer damage and revive your lawn during its surge of fall growth.
Best time to plant grass seed in Maine
Late summer through early fall, from August 15 to September 30, is the best time to plant grass seed in Maine. During this time, cool-season grasses have the best chance to grow because soil temperatures are still warm from the summer and weeds are less of an issue.
Knowing the best time to plant and the best grass seed for Maine lawns will help you achieve your end goal — a beautiful, healthy lawn.
Second best time to plant grass seed in Maine
The second best time to plant grass seed in Maine, while less optimal, is in spring, from May to mid-June. If you’re prepared to combat weed growth, attempting to put down grass seed in late spring (May) might work for you.
Worst time to plant grass seed in Maine
The worst time to plant grass seed in Maine is during the summer (after mid-June). Temperatures are not conducive for successful seed growth during the summer. It’s typically not recommended to plant grass seed in the summer unless you have an irrigation system.
If you decide you want to chance it, plan to water frequently to prevent the cool-season grass seed from drying out. Summer can bring on unexpected dry spells and heatwaves.
Best times to overseed in Maine
The best time to overseed in Maine is from late August through September. The second best time to overseed is from May through mid-June because you’ll be fighting spring weeds.
Before you get out your spreader, learn how to plant grass seed to avoid common missteps and set your lawn up for success.
Some tips for the seeding process are as follows:
- Ensure seeds make direct contact with the soil.
- Keep the newly laid seeds moist, but not soggy.
- Scatter a light layer of weed-free straw or hay to keep birds from eating the seeds.
- Avoid walking on your newly seeded areas until the grass is firmly established.
More Maine resources
Grass isn’t the only thing that grows in a home lawn. You’ll want to add other vegetation as well, and for that, you need to know your planting zone.
There are several planting zones in Maine, ranging from zone 3b in the north to zone 7a in the southern coastal areas. The coastal regions, influenced by the ocean, have warmer zones ranging from Zone 6 to 7a.
If you want to learn more about Maine’s planting zones, we have several great articles to check out. These include:
- Planting Zones of Maine
- Planting Zones of Southern Maine
- Planting Zones of Northern Maine
- Planting Zones of Central Maine
Call in the pros
If lawn care always seems to fall to the bottom of your to-do list, why not let a Maine lawn care pro tackle your lawn care schedule. You can then conquer your to-do list knowing they have your back.
Main Image Credit: House in Friendship, Maine | Doug Kerr | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0
