When to Plant Grass Seed

| Wednesday, September 21, 2011
By Sergio Anthony


Planting a good lawn that remains thick, green and eye-pleasing for several years will take good planning, some time and work. Preparing the soil, selecting the correct grass seed type, and ultimately planting grass all ought to be executed well and also at the appropriate time. Planting the correct grass seed at the wrong time of year or planting the wrong grass seed at the best time of the year can significantly affect the quality of the grass establishment and ultimately the attractivness and durability within your new lawn. Selecting the suitable grass seed in your area is probably the first and most essential step when planting grass, however when to plant the grass is another crucial aspect to consider.

Cool Season Grass Plantings

Kentucky bluegrass, tall and fine fescue, and rye grass are usually seeded between dates of August 25th and October 10th. Keep on your mind that lawns seeded in just a week of Labor Day tend to fill in completely for winter and produce a thicker turf appearance for the next spring when compared with lawns seeded in October. When planted around the tail-end of summer, cool season grass seeds germinate and grow rapidly in the warm soil with plenty of time for it to become fully established prior to the frigid temperatures of late fall and winter. Warm days and cool nights are good for cool season seedling growth and there'll be less weeds to compete with. Living in one of the northern states where temperatures are cooler, it's possible to plant cool season grasses in the Spring, however is not recommended. If planting in the Spring, plant early enough to ensure seedlings become well established before warm weather and weed competition begins. The problem with planting in the Spring is the fact that there are usually more weeds to contend with and frequent watering needed for germination promotes disease development in warmer temperatures.

Warm Season Grass Plantings

Dependent on what state you reside in, but generally May through July is the ideal time for planting warm season grasses like bermuda grass, zoysia grass, St. Augustine, Seashore Paspalum, and buffalo grass. If dealing with a warm climate and using grass sod, plugs, or sprigs, you may be capable of plant all the way up into August. Plan your planting well because planting too late probably won't give your grass enough time to completely establish before the end of the season, but while planting too early can cause a sluggish establishment and tend to be overrun by weeds.

With good planning, preparation, and the right timing, you'll have a beautiful green grass lawn in no time.




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