The best time to plant grass seed in Massachusetts is from the third week of August to the third week of September. The second best time to plant grass seed is in May.
Let’s discuss in more depth why late summer and early fall are the best time to plant grass seed in The Bay State.
Best time to plant grass seed in Massachusetts
The best time to plant grass seed in Massachusetts is late summer to early fall, from the third week of August to the third week of September.
Massachusetts is best suited for cool-season grasses, which grow best when air temperatures are around 65 F to 75 F and soil temperatures are between 55 F and 65 F. The approach recommended by the University of Massachusetts is to plant grass seeds just before these favorable growth conditions of the fall to support grass establishment.
Additionally, when planting in late summer, your turf will have two favorable growth periods (one in the fall and the other in the spring) before it gets exposed to the heat stress of the summer. This gives time for the grass to establish and gain strength.
What is the second best time to plant grass seed in Massachusetts?
The second best time to plant grass seed in Massachusetts is early spring, from mid-April to mid-May. According to the University of Massachusetts, planting as early as possible in the spring, after the snow melts, is the best approach.
Still, the right time will vary according to location and the transition from winter to spring. On Cape Cod and the islands, for example, where the temperatures warm up later in the spring, the best time to plant grass seeds is typically later than the rest of the state.
When to overseed in Massachusetts
The best time to overseed your lawn in Massachusetts is from late summer to early fall. The preferred dates go from the third week of August to the third week of September, but you can also overseed up through October.
Overseeding in the spring, in May, is also possible. But be mindful that overseeding in the spring causes the seedlings to compete with weeds and the heat and drought that summer brings, diminishing your chances of a successful establishment.
FAQ
When is it too late to plant grass seed in Massachusetts?
For new lawn establishments, the end of September is considered too late to plant grass seeds in Massachusetts. When overseeding established lawns, November is considered too late to plant. (Overseed from the third week of August through October.)
What are the best grass seeds for Massachusetts?
The best grass seeds for Massachusetts lawns, according to the University of Massachusetts, are cool-season turfgrasses:
- Kentucky bluegrass (See more about this grass in our article: Kentucky Bluegrass: How to Grow and Care for It.)
- Tall fescue (See more in our article: Tall Fescue: How to Grow and Care for It.)
- Perennial ryegrass (Visit our guide: Perennial Ryegrass: How to Grow and Care for It.)
- Fine fescues (Learn more in our article: Fine Fescue: How to Grow and Care for It.)
What factors cause poor seed germination?
Besides planting seeds at the wrong time, other factors that contribute to poor seed germination are:
- Excessive or poor soil drainage
- Wrong soil pH: too acidic or too alkaline for your grass
- Soil compaction problems
- Nutrient deficiency
- Rocks, twigs, and other debris on the soil surface
- Excessive mulch or inadequate mulch
- Poor seed-to-soil contact
- Poor care after seeding
If you want to know more about how to care for your lawn, visit our Month-by-Month Lawn Care Calendar for Massachusetts.
When to call a pro
Seeding an entire lawn is a handful. But the good news is that you don’t have to do it on your own. Why not count on a pro to seed your lawn for you? Call a Massachusetts lawn care pro and get your plans for a new lawn started today.
Main Image Credit: Hudson House / John Phelan / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0
