- When to plant cool-season grasses in Idaho<\/a><\/li>
- When to plant warm-season grasses in Idaho<\/a><\/li>
- How to seed your Idaho lawn<\/a><\/li>
- Overseeding your Idaho lawn<\/a><\/li>
- FAQ about planting grass seed in Idaho<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
When to plant cool-season grasses in Idaho<\/span><\/h2>
![\"growth](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/cool-season-grass-1.jpg\")
Infographic by Juan Rodriguez<\/figcaption><\/figure> Idaho falls in USDA plant hardiness zones 3-7, so the best grass seeds for Idaho lawns<\/a> are mostly cool-season grasses. Cool-season grasses in Idaho do best if they are planted during the fall<\/strong>. <\/p>
By seeding during the fall season, you avoid planting right before the hot, dry summer and give your new grass plenty of time to store nutrients before spring. There are also fewer weeds to compete with your grass during the fall. (Summer annual weeds are stiff competition for new grass seedlings.)<\/p>
If you aren\u2019t able to plant your cool-season grass in the fall, there\u2019s still hope. The second-best time to plant a cool-season lawn is in spring<\/strong>, but be prepared to pay closer attention to watering and weed control.<\/p>
Here are the best cool-season grasses for Idaho lawns and when to plant them:<\/p>
Kentucky bluegrass<\/span><\/h3>
![\"closeup](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/kentucky-grass-1.jpg\")
Shutterstock<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Kentucky bluegrass (KBG) is a cool-season grass that grows in USDA zones 2-6. It is fairly high-maintenance, doesn\u2019t do well in the shade, and is vulnerable to common Kentucky bluegrass lawn diseases<\/a> and thatch. Because of this, it\u2019s often mixed with perennial ryegrass seeds to create a more substantial turf.<\/p>
The best time to plant KBG seed is fall, from September to November, and spring, from February to May. However, if you plan to plant an 80% KBG, 20% perennial ryegrass (PRG) mixture, don\u2019t worry. They\u2019re both cool-season grasses, so their seeding schedules intersect.<\/p>
To learn more about this grass, read our guide on Kentucky Bluegrass: How to Grow and Care for It<\/a>.<\/p>
Grass Seed Options:
<\/strong>\u2013 Jonathan Green (11970) Blue Panther Kentucky Bluegrass Grass Seed<\/a> (3 lbs.)
\u2013 SeedRanch Midnight Kentucky Bluegrass Seed<\/a> (5 lbs.)<\/p>Perennial ryegrass<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Perennial](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Lolium-perenne-800.jpg\")
T. Kebert<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure> A cool-season bunch-type grass found in USDA zones 3 to 7, perennial ryegrass makes itself at home in northern, southern, and central Idaho. When planted on its own, this grass is high-maintenance, becoming vulnerable to any extreme hot or cold temperature and unable to repair itself. For these reasons, perennial ryegrass is often mixed with other grasses<\/p>
Despite these challenges, perennial ryegrass has a few things going for it, like it provides a much faster cover than KBG, thanks to its quick germination time. It also makes lush, gorgeous lawn stripes<\/a> when it’s mowed and cared for properly. You can also easily repair any damage to the grass by simply reseeding the injured patches.<\/p>
Whether you\u2019re establishing a new lawn or repairing an existing one, perennial ryegrass should be seeded in spring from March to early May or during early fall from mid-August to early September.<\/p>
For more information on this cool-season beauty, check out our article on Perennial Ryegrass: How to Grow and Care for It<\/a>.<\/p>
Grass Seed Options:
<\/strong>\u2013 Outsidepride Perennial Ryegrass Seed<\/a> (5 lbs.)
\u2013 Eretz ProTurf Perennial Ryegrass Fine Lawn Seed<\/a> (choose your size)<\/p>Tall fescue<\/span><\/h3>
![\"tall](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Tall-fescue-1.jpg\")
Aaron Patton | Purdue’s Turfgrass Science Program<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Tall fescue is a cool-season grass found in USDA zones 4 to 7, and if grown in good-quality soil with good drainage, it can develop an extensive root system that gives it an advantage against heat and drought.<\/p>
Tall fescue germinates best when the soil temperature is between 59-72 degrees<\/a> and can be seeded in either fall or spring. To learn more about this drought-resistant grass, our comprehensive guide to tall fescue<\/a> will explain how to plant and grow a beautiful tall fescue lawn.<\/p>
Grass Seed Options:
<\/strong>\u2013 Triple-Play Tall Fescue Grass Seed Blend<\/a> (5000 sq ft)
\u2013 Eretz Kentucky 31 K31 Tall Fescue Grass Seed<\/a> (choose your size)
\u2013 Pennington The Rebels Tall Fescue Grass Seed Mix<\/a> (7 lb.)<\/p>Fine fescue<\/span><\/h3>
![\"fine](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Fine-fescue-1.jpg\")
Aaron Patton | Purdue’s Turfgrass Science Program<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Fine fescues are a group of four cool-season grasses known for being low-maintenance and shade-tolerant. They are often mixed with perennial ryegrass or Kentucky bluegrass. These grasses have fine, needle-like grass blades; are sensitive to heat; go dormant during the summer; and are slow to recover from heavy foot traffic.<\/p>
Common fine fescues found in Idaho are:<\/p>
- Chewings fescue (Festuca rubra <\/em>subsp. commutata<\/em>) <\/li>
- Creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra <\/em>subsp. rubra<\/em>)<\/li>
- Hard fescue (Festuca longifolia<\/em> or duriuscula<\/em>)<\/li>
- Sheep fescue (Festuca ovina<\/em>) <\/li> <\/ul>
Fine fescues can be found in a wide range of hardiness zones and work well in any climate that is suited for cool-season grass, so they are perfect for Idaho. To establish a fine fescue lawn<\/a>, seed during late summer or early fall unless you live in a highly elevated area like Island Park or Sun Valley, in which case you should seed in spring or early summer.<\/p>
Grass Seed Options:
<\/strong>\u2013 Outsidepride Legacy Fine Fescue Grass Seed<\/a> (5 lbs.)
\u2013 Eretz Creeping Red Fine Fescue Seed<\/a> (choose your size)
\u2013 Outsidepride Creeping Red Fine Fescue Grass Seed<\/a> (25 lbs.)<\/p>When to plant warm-season grasses in Idaho<\/span><\/h2>
![\"growth](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/warm-season-grass.jpg\")
Infographic by Juan Rodriguez<\/figcaption><\/figure> The best time to plant warm-season grasses is during the spring and early summer when the soil temperatures are consistently above 55 degrees and there is no longer a risk of frost. <\/p>
The downside of planting during this time is that your new grass will be more exposed to hot conditions, leaving it vulnerable to disease, drought, and weeds. On the plus side, your warm-season grass seed will also get the benefits of warm temperatures so it has time to establish before the fall.<\/p>
Here is the best warm-season grass for Idaho:<\/p>
Buffalograss<\/span><\/h3>
![\"buffalograss\"](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/3139246071_47110d3ef9_c-1.jpg\")
John Tann<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Found in USDA zones 5-8, buffalograss is the best warm-season grass for Idaho because it has no trouble surviving freezing Idahoan winters despite its warm-season status, which also gives it an advantage against heat and drought in the summer months. To learn more about this native Great Plains grass, read our guide on Buffalograss: How to Grow and Care for It<\/a>.<\/p>
For the best results, buffalograss seeds should be planted during late May to early June.<\/p>
Grass Seed Options:<\/strong>
\u2013 <\/strong>Everwilde Farms Buffalograss Seeds<\/a> (1 lb. of seeds)
\u2013 Buffalograss seed (primed)<\/a> (5-lb. bag)<\/p>How to seed your Idaho lawn<\/span><\/h2>
Once the time has come to plant your grass, you\u2019ll need to know how to plant grass seed<\/a> and establish your new lawn successfully. Here are the steps to seeding your new Idaho lawn:<\/p>
- Start by choosing the right seed for your lawn and location.<\/strong> Every grass type has its own strengths and weaknesses and may not be suitable for your lawn or your area in Idaho.<\/li>
- Clean the area where you want to plant.<\/strong> Remove rocks, tree branches, debris, and weeds. This will ensure you have soil that’s free from obstructions and perfect for germination.<\/li>
- Prepare the soil<\/strong> by aerating before applying compost and fertilizer as needed.<\/li>
- Use a broadcast spreader to seed the lawn.<\/strong> Fill half the spreader with seed and walk back and forth until you\u2019re finished. Then fill the other half and walk back and forth perpendicular to your original direction.<\/li>
- Cover the area with straw mulch.<\/strong> This will keep the seed safe from birds and heat.<\/li>
- Lightly water 2 to 3 times daily.<\/strong> Keep watering your grass seed often<\/a> until the seedlings are 1 inch tall.<\/li>
- Gradually reduce watering<\/strong> the grass until you get to the recommended watering schedule for your chosen grass.<\/li> <\/ul>
Overseeding your Idaho lawn<\/span><\/h2>
![\"Spreading](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_shutterstock_1368090050-1.jpg\")
Shutterstock<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> If you already have a lawn but notice bare, thinning patches, you will need to start overseeding those bald spots.<\/p>
Since peak growing seasons and germination are the same regardless of what you plan to do with your grass seeds, overseeding should take place at the same time you would plant them from scratch. <\/p>
Here\u2019s a chart to help make timing it simple:<\/p>
- Clean the area where you want to plant.<\/strong> Remove rocks, tree branches, debris, and weeds. This will ensure you have soil that’s free from obstructions and perfect for germination.<\/li>
- Creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra <\/em>subsp. rubra<\/em>)<\/li>
- When to plant warm-season grasses in Idaho<\/a><\/li>