{"id":25216,"date":"2024-06-25T07:12:02","date_gmt":"2024-06-25T07:12:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/?p=25216"},"modified":"2024-06-25T07:12:07","modified_gmt":"2024-06-25T07:12:07","slug":"best-time-to-plant-grass-seed-illinois","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/best-time-to-plant-grass-seed-illinois\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Time to Plant Grass Seed in Illinois"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With the exception of Zoysiagrass, most grasses in Illinois are cool-season grasses, so the best time to plant grass seed in Illinois is during <strong>late summer and early fall<\/strong>, from August through September.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Timing is everything! The Land of Lincoln is cloudy all year round, with wet, humid summers and freezing winters with lots of snow and wind. The success of your new grass seedlings will depend on what time of year you choose to plant.<\/p>   <div class=\"wp-block-ub-table-of-contents-block ub_table-of-contents\" id=\"ub_table-of-contents-49332a7e-861a-4f0c-b88d-f15d4624f361\" data-linktodivider=\"false\" data-showtext=\"show\" data-hidetext=\"hide\" data-scrolltype=\"auto\" data-enablesmoothscroll=\"false\" data-initiallyhideonmobile=\"false\" data-initiallyshow=\"true\"><div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-header-container\" style=\"\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-header\" style=\"text-align: left; \"> \t\t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-title\" style=\"\">In this article, we\u2019ll cover:<\/div> \t\t\t\t \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-extra-container\" style=\"\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-container ub_table-of-contents-1-column\"> \t\t\t\t<ul style=\"\"><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/best-time-to-plant-grass-seed-illinois\/#0-when-to-plant-grass-seed-in-illinois\" style=\"\">When to plant grass seed in Illinois<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/best-time-to-plant-grass-seed-illinois\/#1-when-to-plant-cool-season-grasses-in-illinois\" style=\"\">When to plant cool-season grasses in Illinois<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/best-time-to-plant-grass-seed-illinois\/#6-when-to-plant-warm-season-grasses-in-illinois\" style=\"\">When to plant warm-season grasses in Illinois<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/best-time-to-plant-grass-seed-illinois\/#8-how-to-plant-grass-seed-in-illinois\" style=\"\">How to plant grass seed in Illinois<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/best-time-to-plant-grass-seed-illinois\/#9-faq\" style=\"\">FAQ<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>   <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"0-when-to-plant-grass-seed-in-illinois\"><span id=\"when-to-plant-grass-seed-in-illinois\">When to plant grass seed in Illinois<\/span><\/h2>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"791\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IL300_HS-1-791x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Illinois Plant Hardiness Map\" class=\"wp-image-25235\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IL300_HS-1-791x1024.jpg 791w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IL300_HS-1-232x300.jpg 232w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IL300_HS-1-768x994.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IL300_HS-1-610x789.jpg 610w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IL300_HS-1.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 791px) 100vw, 791px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/planthardiness.ars.usda.gov\/system\/files\/IL300_HS.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">USDA<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/plant-hardiness-zones-and-your-yard\/\">USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map<\/a>, Illinois is in zones 5, 6, and 7, which are zones where cool-season grasses thrive. That means that the ideal time to plant the <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/best-grass-seed-illinois\/\">best grass seed in Illinois<\/a> is <strong>late summer to early fall<\/strong> so the young grass has two or three months to establish before the weather becomes too cold.\u00a0<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fall planting also gives cool-season grass the full spring season to establish before the hot summer months.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your location in the Prairie State will affect the exact window of time you have to start planting your grass seed.<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Northern Illinois: <\/strong>Early August to early September<\/li>    <li><strong>Central Illinois:<\/strong> Mid-August to Mid-September<\/li>    <li><strong>Southern Illinois:<\/strong> September<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you are unable to seed your lawn during these months, then <strong>April is the second best time<\/strong> to start since it is right before the heat of summer and after the spring frosts.<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-when-to-plant-cool-season-grasses-in-illinois\"><span id=\"when-to-plant-cool-season-grasses-in-illinois\">When to plant cool-season grasses in Illinois<\/span><\/h2>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/cool-season-grass-1.jpg\" alt=\"growth of cool season grass\" class=\"wp-image-17693\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/cool-season-grass-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/cool-season-grass-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/cool-season-grass-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/cool-season-grass-1-610x343.jpg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Infographic by Juan Rodriguez<\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are the best cool-season grasses for your Illinois lawn and the best times to plant them:<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-kentucky-bluegrass\"><span id=\"kentucky-bluegrass\">Kentucky bluegrass<\/span><\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/kentucky-grass-1.jpg\" alt=\"closeup of kentucky grass in a lawn\" class=\"wp-image-23751\" style=\"object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/kentucky-grass-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/kentucky-grass-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/kentucky-grass-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/kentucky-grass-1-610x406.jpg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shutterstock.com\/image-photo\/kentucky-bluegrass-blades-close-1392558278\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Shutterstock<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Like any cool-season grass, <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/kentucky-bluegrass-guide\/\">Kentucky bluegrass<\/a> (KBG) should be seeded in the fall, specifically in <strong>September<\/strong>.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">KBG is a favorite grass among northern homeowners thanks to its resilience in harsh winters and ability to heal from damage. However, it\u2019s a high-maintenance grass type that prefers full sun and isn\u2019t very tolerant of shade. KBG is often mixed with perennial ryegrass to get the best of both worlds since KBG is more drought-, disease-, and wear-tolerant but has a slower germination period.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Grass Seed Options: <br><\/strong>\u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Jonathan-Green-Maker-Grass-3-Pound\/dp\/B003AYR3FI?crid=27GQP3B1R3AD0&amp;keywords=kentucky+blue+grass+seeds+for+lawn&amp;qid=1679595025&amp;sprefix=kentucky+blue+grass+seed%2Caps%2C125&amp;sr=8-25&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=lawnlove-20&amp;linkId=934519849155af63668fdda30a6d0ef8&amp;language=en_US&amp;ref_=as_li_ss_tl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Jonathan Green (11970) Blue Panther Kentucky Bluegrass Grass Seed<\/a> (3 lbs.)<br>\u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/SeedRanch-Midnight-Kentucky-Bluegrass-Certified\/dp\/B00GGSM6FM?crid=27GQP3B1R3AD0&amp;keywords=kentucky+blue+grass+seeds+for+lawn&amp;qid=1679594926&amp;sprefix=kentucky+blue+grass+seed%2Caps%2C125&amp;sr=8-6&amp;ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.d977788f-1483-4f76-90a3-786e4cdc8f10&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=lawnlove-20&amp;linkId=c4d05c6119c6e1c8d171b90494ddaadf&amp;language=en_US&amp;ref_=as_li_ss_tl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">SeedRanch Midnight Kentucky Bluegrass Seed<\/a> (5 lbs.)<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-fine-fescue\"><span id=\"fine-fescue\">Fine fescue<\/span><\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"531\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Fine-fescue-1.jpg\" alt=\"fine fescue grass\" class=\"wp-image-20576\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Fine-fescue-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Fine-fescue-1-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Fine-fescue-1-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Fine-fescue-1-610x405.jpg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Aaron Patton | <a href=\"https:\/\/turf.purdue.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Purdue&#8217;s Turfgrass Science Program<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The best time to seed fine fescues is in the <strong>early fall<\/strong>, though late fall is fine for <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/what-is-dormant-seeding\/\">dormant seeding<\/a> in some areas. Illinois is not a high-elevation state, so fine fescues can also be planted as soon as <strong>late summer<\/strong>.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/fine-fescue-guide\/\">Fine fescues<\/a> are actually a group of grasses instead of a single grass. The species that grow best in Illinois are:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Chewings fescue<\/li>    <li>Hard fescue<\/li>    <li>Creeping red fescue<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fine fescues are shade-tolerant, low maintenance, and drought-resistant. However, they are not very tolerant of foot traffic or heat. They also tend to be vulnerable to thatch and some of the <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/most-common-diseases-in-fine-fescue-grass\/\">most common fine fescue diseases<\/a>.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Grass Seed Options: <br><\/strong>\u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Outsidepride-Legacy-Fine-Fescue-Grass\/dp\/B004MNATTS?crid=IG9ZGUBBC4N&amp;keywords=fine+fescue+grass+seed&amp;qid=1679593996&amp;sprefix=fine+fescue+grass%2Caps%2C136&amp;sr=8-5&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=lawnlove-20&amp;linkId=ae1d374dcd21399f7514d39af0a5dc4a&amp;language=en_US&amp;ref_=as_li_ss_tl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Outsidepride Legacy Fine Fescue Grass Seed<\/a> (5 lbs.)<br>\u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Eretz-Oregon-Grown-Grass-Seed\/dp\/B07XYK5HQS?crid=IG9ZGUBBC4N&amp;keywords=fine%2Bfescue%2Bgrass%2Bseed&amp;qid=1679594148&amp;sprefix=fine%2Bfescue%2Bgrass%2Caps%2C136&amp;sr=8-7&amp;th=1&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=lawnlove-20&amp;linkId=91cc18a4f6838cb7cb67e4ea75680feb&amp;language=en_US&amp;ref_=as_li_ss_tl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Eretz Creeping Red Fine Fescue Seed<\/a> (choose your size)<br>\u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Outsidepride-Creeping-Fescue-Shade-Tolerant\/dp\/B0BLMJGBG9?crid=IG9ZGUBBC4N&amp;keywords=fine+fescue+grass+seed&amp;qid=1679594148&amp;sprefix=fine+fescue+grass%2Caps%2C136&amp;sr=8-26&amp;ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.d977788f-1483-4f76-90a3-786e4cdc8f10&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=lawnlove-20&amp;linkId=09fe566ea7257db1707883965443c1ef&amp;language=en_US&amp;ref_=as_li_ss_tl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Outsidepride Creeping Red Fine Fescue Grass Seed<\/a> (25 lbs.)<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-perennial-ryegrass\"><span id=\"perennial-ryegrass\">Perennial ryegrass<\/span><\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/pyrennial-ryegrass-1-1.jpeg\" alt=\"pyrennial ryegrass in a lawn\" class=\"wp-image-24172\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/pyrennial-ryegrass-1-1.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/pyrennial-ryegrass-1-1-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/pyrennial-ryegrass-1-1-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/pyrennial-ryegrass-1-1-510x382.jpeg 510w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/pyrennial-ryegrass-1-1-610x458.jpeg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Aaron Patton | <a href=\"https:\/\/turf.purdue.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Purdue&#8217;s Turfgrass Science Program<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Perennial ryegrass&#8217;s peak growing season is during <strong>late summer (August) to early fall (September)<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/perennial-ryegrass-guide\/\">Perennial ryegrass<\/a> (or PRG for short) is a bunch-type cool-season grass commonly mixed with KBG or fine fescue. It is well-known for its striping ability and high tolerance to foot traffic. However, it has a low tolerance to shade and drought, a high potential for disease, and a poor ability to recover from damage.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the plus side, it\u2019s not prone to thatch and has a fast germination time, so overseeding will easily fix any damage your perennial ryegrass takes.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Grass Seed Options: <br><\/strong>\u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Outsidepride-Champion-Rye-Grass-Seed\/dp\/B0040B6SO2?keywords=Perennial+Ryegrass&amp;qid=1679596157&amp;sr=8-1-spons&amp;psc=1&amp;smid=A3KP4PUPMP96T0&amp;spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzRFFJVkQySlYzSjFKJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUExMDQ2MzM4M0ZOMkNZTlJITTAzRiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNTM3Mjk4MzlLTTdCM1hYMzdLRyZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU%3D&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=lawnlove-20&amp;linkId=b48af169cc658e37f48fa1c4d1950189&amp;language=en_US&amp;ref_=as_li_ss_tl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Outsidepride Perennial Ryegrass Seed<\/a> (5 lbs.)<br>\u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/ProTurf-Grass-Seed-Eretz-Willamette\/dp\/B07N9YHPMP?keywords=Perennial+Ryegrass&amp;qid=1679596157&amp;sr=8-6&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=lawnlove-20&amp;linkId=d678debae2c9b3077137a8ec03c2fc2c&amp;language=en_US&amp;ref_=as_li_ss_tl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Eretz ProTurf Perennial Ryegrass Fine Lawn Seed<\/a> (choose your size)<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5-tall-fescue\"><span id=\"tall-fescue\">Tall fescue<\/span><\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Tall-fescue-1.jpg\" alt=\"hand touching tall fescue grass\" class=\"wp-image-18900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Tall-fescue-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Tall-fescue-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Tall-fescue-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Tall-fescue-1-510x382.jpg 510w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Tall-fescue-1-610x458.jpg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Aaron Patton | <a href=\"https:\/\/turf.purdue.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Purdue&#8217;s Turfgrass Science Program<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a cool-season grass, <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/tall-fescue-guide\/\">tall fescue<\/a> does best if <strong>established in the fall<\/strong> so it has plenty of time to establish deep roots before summer.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A coarse, bunch-type cool-season grass, tall fescue thrives in fertile soil with good drainage, though it can tolerate a wide variety of different soil types. Tall fescue has a moderate tolerance for drought, shade, cold, and foot traffic, as well as a low potential for lawn diseases.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, like PRG, it struggles to recuperate from damage and will need to be reseeded to repair any patchy, damaged areas.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Grass Seed Options: <br><\/strong>\u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Triple-Play-Fescue-Grass-Seed-Blend\/dp\/B01DM2AQOM?keywords=Tall%2BFescue%2BGrass&amp;qid=1679597027&amp;sr=8-18&amp;ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.5137e923-c7be-4142-979c-7c68b6c26f63&amp;th=1&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=lawnlove-20&amp;linkId=8c3ffc5f8867b395553dcbf0bf83b43f&amp;language=en_US&amp;ref_=as_li_ss_tl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Triple-Play Tall Fescue Grass Seed Blend<\/a> (5000 sq ft)<br>\u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Kentucky-Tall-Fescue-Grass-Eretz\/dp\/B079JCZ86Z?keywords=Tall+Fescue+Grass&amp;qid=1679597027&amp;sr=8-9&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=lawnlove-20&amp;linkId=bf527bf170a63b0858f88195755e0b12&amp;language=en_US&amp;ref_=as_li_ss_tl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Eretz Kentucky 31 K31 Tall Fescue Grass Seed<\/a> (choose your size)<br>\u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Pennington-Rebels-Fescue-Grass-Pounds\/dp\/B08QC7VV6J?keywords=Tall+Fescue+Grass&amp;qid=1679597348&amp;sr=8-2-spons&amp;psc=1&amp;spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzM0UwMDkxWEE1MDNEJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMjgzODE5MkNSOEVZOElIMUtGRyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwOTAyNDEzVElNTlZISFQxWjZaJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ%3D%3D&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=lawnlove-20&amp;linkId=f77048e934f02b05a8aea0466b5fdfc9&amp;language=en_US&amp;ref_=as_li_ss_tl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Pennington The Rebels Tall Fescue Grass Seed Mix<\/a> (7 lb.)<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"6-when-to-plant-warm-season-grasses-in-illinois\"><span id=\"when-to-plant-warm-season-grasses-in-illinois\">When to plant warm-season grasses in Illinois<\/span><\/h2>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/warm-season-grass.jpg\" alt=\"growth of warm season grass\" class=\"wp-image-17692\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/warm-season-grass.jpg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/warm-season-grass-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/warm-season-grass-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/warm-season-grass-610x343.jpg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Infographic by Juan Rodriguez<\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Though most grass types in Illinois are cool season, there is one warm-season grass that thrives in the Land of Lincoln. Warm-season grasses are able to successfully reap the benefits of the warm weather while having plenty of time to establish before the fall.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here is the best warm-season grass for your southern Illinois lawn:<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"7-zoysiagrass\"><span id=\"zoysiagrass\">Zoysiagrass<\/span><\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/zoysiagrass.jpg\" alt=\"closeup of zoysiagrass in a lawn\" class=\"wp-image-18440\" style=\"object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/zoysiagrass.jpg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/zoysiagrass-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/zoysiagrass-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/zoysiagrass-510x382.jpg 510w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/zoysiagrass-610x458.jpg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Starr_070906-8518_Zoysia_sp..jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Forest &amp; Kim Starr<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY 3.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the best results, Zoysiagrass should be seeded during <strong>mid to late spring or during early summer<\/strong>. However, keep in mind that Zoysiagrass is more difficult to establish with seed, and most experts recommend laying down sod.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Zoysiagrass is a warm-season grass with a blade texture that ranges from fine to coarse. This grass type is slow to grow and slow to recover from damage, but it has plenty of pros. For instance, it is salt tolerant, drought resistant, and has a high tolerance for foot traffic.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Zoysiagrass is soft to walk on, crowds out weeds, and works in a variety of soil types. <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/zoysiagrass-guide\/#2-pros-and-cons-of-zoysia\">Zoysia\u2019s pros outweigh the cons<\/a>, so Zoysiagrass may be just what you need if you live in southern Illinois.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Grass Plug and Seed Options: <br><\/strong>\u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Zoysia-Plug-Tray-EZPlug-Plugs\/dp\/B00NMNU098?keywords=zoysia+grass+seed&amp;qid=1679588146&amp;sr=8-33&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=lawnlove-20&amp;linkId=3cea0cb84b27ed85e903301403475ecd&amp;language=en_US&amp;ref_=as_li_ss_tl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Zoysia Plugs (50 Large Grass Plugs)<br><\/a>\u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Zoysia-Plugs-Grass-Mature-Individually\/dp\/B08FJD3DTT?keywords=zoysia+grass+seed&amp;qid=1679588146&amp;sr=8-6&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=lawnlove-20&amp;linkId=8bf902906af7fd2fa8a09eda4186ac36&amp;language=en_US&amp;ref_=as_li_ss_tl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Zoysia Plugs (50 Full &amp; Lush Grass Plugs)<\/a><br>\u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Zoysia-Plugs-Grass-Mature-Individually\/dp\/B08FJC3J1F?crid=1HCXNJK2F4Q38&amp;keywords=zoysia%2Bgrass%2Bplugs&amp;qid=1679589246&amp;sprefix=zoysia%2Bgrass%2Bplugs%2Caps%2C129&amp;sr=8-7&amp;ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.d977788f-1483-4f76-90a3-786e4cdc8f10&amp;th=1&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=lawnlove-20&amp;linkId=0d0f99254ab713d7fa3fb1fb77d110d0&amp;language=en_US&amp;ref_=as_li_ss_tl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Zoysia Plugs (100 Plugs)<\/a><br>\u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Zenith-Zoysia-grass-seeds-1\/dp\/B076B3GXL4?keywords=zoysia+grass+seed&amp;qid=1679588146&amp;sr=8-8&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=lawnlove-20&amp;linkId=78dd156bb702c934bc8d2f2693f5d22a&amp;language=en_US&amp;ref_=as_li_ss_tl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Zenith Zenith Grass Seeds<\/a> (1\/8 lb. of seeds)<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"8-how-to-plant-grass-seed-in-illinois\"><span id=\"how-to-plant-grass-seed-in-illinois\">How to plant grass seed in Illinois<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Knowing <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-plant-grass-seed\/\">how to plant grass seed<\/a> in your lawn is simple and can be done in a few easy steps:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Choose the best grass seed<\/strong> for your lawn and location.<\/li>    <li><strong>Clear your lawn<\/strong> of dead leaves, twigs, branches, and other debris; then use either an herbicide or a sod cutter to remove the existing turf.<\/li>    <li><strong>Prepare your soil<\/strong> by aerating and applying fertilizer, compost, or topsoil as needed. You can determine what your soil needs by taking a soil test. (Read <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-soil-test-your-lawn\/\">How to Soil Test Your Lawn<\/a> for more information.)<\/li>    <li><strong>Start planting your grass seed.<\/strong> If you have a small lawn, you can sow the seed by hand, but you should use a broadcast spreader for larger areas. Fill half the spreader with seed and walk back and forth from north to south until you\u2019re finished. Then fill the other half and cover from east to west.<\/li>    <li><strong>Lightly rake over the seeded surface<\/strong> with the back of a rake for better seed-to-soil contact.<\/li>    <li><strong>Cover the area with straw mulch<\/strong> to protect it from the heat and birds.<\/li>    <li><strong>Lightly water the lawn two to three times a day<\/strong> until the seedlings are an inch tall.<\/li>    <li><strong>Gradually reduce watering<\/strong> until you get to the recommended watering schedule for your chosen grass.<\/li> <\/ul>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"9-faq\"><span id=\"faq\">FAQ<\/span><\/h2>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"10-when-is-the-best-time-to-overseed-your-illinois-lawn\"><span id=\"when-is-the-best-time-to-overseed-your-illinois-lawn\">When is the best time to overseed your Illinois lawn?<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The best time to <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-over-seed-a-lawn\/\">overseed your lawn<\/a> in Illinois is mid-August to mid-September. The truth is, there isn\u2019t any difference in the best time for overseeding or seeding a new lawn since it all boils down to your grass\u2019s peak growing season.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"11-when-is-the-best-time-to-lay-sod-in-illinois\"><span id=\"when-is-the-best-time-to-lay-sod-in-illinois\">When is the best time to lay sod in Illinois?<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As long as the ground isn\u2019t frozen and there\u2019s plenty of water, the best time to place new sod is anytime during <strong>April or September<\/strong>. Cool temperatures combined with occasional rain help sod establish quickly.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"12-what-is-the-best-grass-type-for-illinois\"><span id=\"what-is-the-best-grass-type-for-illinois\">What is the best grass type for Illinois?<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The best grass type for your Illinois lawn will depend on where you are in the state. For example:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Northern Illinois:<\/strong> Kentucky bluegrass and fine fescue<\/li>    <li><strong>Central Illinois:<\/strong> Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescue, tall fescue, and perennial ryegrass<\/li>    <li><strong>Southern Illinois:<\/strong> Tall fescue and Zoysiagrass<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This doesn\u2019t imply that you can\u2019t plant any other types of grasses if you live in these areas of Illinois. All the grasses mentioned in this article are inside Illinois hardiness zones. It just means that these particular ones will thrive the best.<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"13-hire-a-pro\"><span id=\"hire-a-pro\">Hire a pro<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No matter your grass type, overseeding, mowing, irrigating, and maintaining your lawn are all important for its health and curb appeal. Let Lawn Love connect you with <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/illinois\">lawn care professionals in your area<\/a> for all of your lawn care needs.<\/p>   <div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle wp-block-ub-content-toggle-block\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-block-5b493050-92fd-4ee1-936a-0a65754a9c84\" data-mobilecollapse=\"false\" data-desktopcollapse=\"true\" data-preventcollapse=\"false\" data-showonlyone=\"true\"> <div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #f1f1f1; border-top-left-radius: 8px; border-top-right-radius: 8px; border-bottom-left-radius: 8px; border-bottom-right-radius: 8px; \" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-9be62c91-84db-4bb5-b642-41e2abf15dc2\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #f1f1f1;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-0-5b493050-92fd-4ee1-936a-0a65754a9c84\" tabindex=\"0\"> \t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-5b493050-92fd-4ee1-936a-0a65754a9c84\" style=\"color: #000000; \">Sources:<\/p> \t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #000000;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div> \t\t<\/div> \t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-0-5b493050-92fd-4ee1-936a-0a65754a9c84\">  <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.illinois.edu\/lawns\/planting-new-lawn\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: Planting a New Lawn<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.illinois.edu\/blogs\/good-growing\/2021-03-18-spring-lawn-care\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: Spring Lawn Care<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>  <\/div> \t\t<\/div> <\/div>   <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Lawn Love participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. Lawn Love may earn revenue from products promoted in this article.<\/em><\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Main Image Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/commons.m.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Winslow_House_in_River_Forest,_Illinois.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Bilyan Belchev<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\/deed.en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>From late summer to early fall, we\u2019ll explain the best times to plant grass seed in your Illinois lawn.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":88,"featured_media":25234,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[212],"tags":[560],"class_list":["post-25216","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-illinois","tag-lawn-care-il"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/house-in-illinois-2.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Lydian Pine","author_link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/author\/lydian-pine\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25216","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/88"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25216"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25216\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25234"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25216"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25216"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25216"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}