The best time to plant grass seed in Pennsylvania is between late August and early October. There is more rainfall, fewer weeds, warmer soil, and more time for seedlings to grow before the cold weather sets in and stresses your young grass.
We’ll explain more about when to plant grass seed in Pennsylvania in this article.
Best time to plant grass: Late August to early October
This time frame is ideal for growing grass in Pennsylvania because the conditions are right. Air temperature, soil temperature, and other factors are optimal for seeds to germinate and grass to grow.
Let’s take a closer look:
Ideal soil conditions
In Pennsylvania, the soil temperatures are generally between 50 and 65°F from late August to early October, which is when the cool-season grasses we use in Pennsylvania produce the best root growth.
Soils are also wetter and warmer during this time. Moist soil is easier to prepare than wet soil, and warmer soil helps seeds germinate faster than cooler soils.
Longer growing time
When planted in late summer or early fall, seedlings have two growing seasons (fall and the following spring) to establish. In comparison, seeding in spring (which is considered the second best time to plant grass seeds) gives seeds a shorter amount of time to establish before the heat and drought of summer arrives and stresses them.
Fewer weeds
Weeds are the enemy of grass. They crowd out desirable grass and compete with your turf for nutrients. Weeds in Pennsylvania grow best in the summer, but they begin to retreat in the cooler temperatures of late summer and early fall.
When to plant Zoysiagrass
Zoysiagrass is the only warm-season grass that grows in Pennsylvania because it can survive the state’s harsh winters. But because it’s a warm-season grass, it must be planted at a different time.
The best time to plant Zoysiagrass is from mid-May to late June. During this time, the soil temperatures hover around 65 to 75°F, the air temperature regularly reaches 80°F, and all threat of frost has passed.
To learn more about Zoysiagrass, read our article, Zoysiagrass: How to Grow and Care for It.
Check out these articles for more about lawn care and landscaping in Pennsylvania:
- When to Stop Mowing Your Lawn in Pennsylvania
- The Best Grass Seeds for Pennsylvania
- When to Fertilize Your Lawn in Pennsylvania
- When to Dethatch Your Lawn in Pennsylvania
Trust the pros
Lawn care is time-consuming and expensive, and you don’t always get the results you want anyway. With Lawn Love, you get a quality lawn at a price you can love. Call, click or tap the app for a free quote and get the lawn you want.
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