Best Time to Seed My Lawn
The best time of year to seed your lawn depends on what type of grass you are planting, as well as the typical weather conditions of your area of residence. Some types of grass are cool-season grasses that should generally be planted in the early fall, while other types of warm-season grasses should be planted in the late spring or early summer.
Cool-Season Grasses
Cool-season grasses are more common for lawns in the northern portion of the United States. The best time of year to seed cool-season grass lawns is early fall, but you can also plant additional seeds in spring where the grass did not flourish. You should aim to plant the seeds during the daytime.
The ideal outdoor temperature for seeding your lawn is between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, with a soil temperature between 50 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. If you seed your lawn when the temperature is too high, the seeds may dry out; but if you seed your lawn when the temperature is too low, the seeds might not germinate properly.
The most common cool-season grasses are:
– Ryegrass
– Kentucky Bluegrass
– Fine Fescue
– Tall Fescue
Warm-Season Grasses
Warm-season grasses are commonly planted in the southern portion of the United States. The best time to plant the seeds of warm-season grasses is in late spring or early summer, as this is when there will be a large amount of both rain and sun, allowing the the seeds to germinate faster and cover more ground.
You should aim to seed your warm-season grass lawn when the temperature outside is 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and the temperature of the soil is around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. If you wish, you can plant warm-season grass in the fall, but your chance of success will be lower. If you are planting warm-season grass in the fall, make sure that it is at least 60 days before the first frost or the grass will not be able to grow enough to survive the winter.
The most common warm-season grasses are:
– Bermuda Grass
– Buffalo Grass
– Bahia Grass
– Centipede Grass
Additional Help
If you do not want to seed your lawn yourself, you can hire a landscaper to do it for you. With the help of TalkLocal, you will connected with up to three high quality landscapers in your area, who will be available to help you when you need them.
