The best time to plant grass seed all depends on the region you live and the type of seed you are planting.
We looked at every region of the Continental United States to give you the BEST answer to this question, no matter where you live!
Not only is it important to prepare your soil and choose the right grass seed, but the exact time you plant your grass will also determine how successfully it grows.
Too early or too late, and the grass won't grow. The grass is always greener when it's planted at the right time!
In the following sections, we'll explore the best time to plant grass seed and the best type of grass to plant depending on your region. We'll take a look at exceptions for each region too.
But first, when is the best time to plant grass?
When is the Best Time to Plant Grass Seed?
The BEST time to plant new grass...
...right.
When you jump into the lawn care forums and start asking people all around the country when to plant your grass seed, you'll probably get 100 different answers to the same question.
Well, it turns out the question is not so easy to answer because the best time to plant depends on the region in which you live!
Using data from the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program, we found that planting time depends on your region not only because of the climate, but because different types of grass seed, each with different soil temperature requirements, grow best in each these different regions.
We took this data and compiled a guide below that will tell you what to plant and when, all depending on your region.
Why Does the Timing Matter?
It all comes down to soil temperature.
Grass seed only needs two things to germinate:
- Moisture
- The Right Soil Temperature.
Different types of grass seeds have different temperature requirements, depending on if they are classified as a warm season grass or a cool season grass.
Likewise, soil temperatures will reach different levels at different times of year depending on what region of the country you are in.
So in order to plant grass at the right time, you need to consider WHERE you live, and WHAT kind of grass seed you are planting.
What to Consider Before Choosing When Planting Grass Seed
Local Weather
On top of your regional weather, you might also watch the forecast for upcoming storms.
Heavy winds and rains will wipe away your grass seed, so avoid planting immediately before a thunderstorm.
Another thing to avoid is any upcoming drought or heatwave.
Howbere, a little rain is a good thing, and will save you on your water bill and time moving the sprinkler around. Planting a few days before a shower might help.
Can I Plant Grass Seed Right After Using Pre-emergent Weed Killer?
The short answer, unfortunately, is "No."
Oftentimes in very early spring homeowners and lawn care companies spray a pre-emergent weed killer (actually preventer) to prevent broadleaf weeds and crabgrass from forming.
These pesky weeds are difficult to kill with herbicide after they sprout hence the use of pre-emergent to prevent their growth before their seeds germinate.
Unfortunately, this pre-emergent fertilizer is nonselective and will also prevent any new grass seed you lay down from germinating as well if it is still present in the soil.
Many of these pre-emergent weed killers such as the Scotts brand advise on their labels they are active in the soil for up to 12 weeks.
This may be ok for warm season grasses the germinate and thrive in warmer summer soil temperatures, but for cool season grasses such as Fescue and Bluegrass, your seed is less likely to do as well if you wait that long to plant.
So here are your best solutions (in order) to seed new grass while working around pre-emergents:
1. Plant new grass in the fall
This is the best and easiest option to avoid this issue altogether.
Planting in the fall allows your grass seed to germinate, grow, and then go dormant BEFORE you apply pre-emergent in the spring. (This applies mostly to cool season grasses).
2. Don't use pre-emergent
Ok, its an obvious one, but it does need to be considered.
If you missed your fall window to plant your new grass, then consider foregoing the premergent weed preventers this year.
Plant your new grass seed in the early spring, and deal with your crabgrass and broadleaf weeds after they sprout. Either by hand or with a selective herbicide.
3. Lay down sod rather than planting grass seed.
You likely won't need to use pre-emergent as the heavy sod will hopefully prevent crabgrass from breaking through. However if there is already pre-emergent in the soil, the grass in the sod has already germinated and will not be affected.
4. Use your pre-emergent in early spring and then wait to plant grass seed.
Lay down your grass seed at least 12 weeks after using pre-emergent.
If you are planting a warm season grass in late spring/early summer, this may line up perfectly with the recommended time frame anyway and be no big deal.
If, however, you are planting a cool season grass this is not ideal as it will not be a very good time to plant your grass seed due to the warmer soil temperatures.
Northeast Region
Across the Northeast, the rules for planting grass are about the same. In this region, the best time to plant is early spring or early fall.
Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont
The best seed to plant is Kentucky Bluegrass.
Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, and New Jersey
You can plant either Kentucky Bluegrass, Rye, or Fescue.
Midwest Region
The best time to plant grass in the Midwest is early fall or early spring.
However, the type of grass you plant varies from state to state in this region.
Iowa, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin
You should stick with Kentucky Bluegrass. Other grasses don't like the temperature range of these states.
Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Ohio
You can plant either Kentucky Bluegrass, Rye, or Fescue.
Kansas and Missouri
Plant tall or fine Fescue only.
Nebraska
You can plant either Kentucky Bluegrass, or Fine Fescue.
Southern Region
There are quite a few variabilities to consider in the southern United States.
Some parts of the South are cool and humid, others are warm and humid, and there's a lot of states along the transition zone.
For these reasons, the season, as well as the type of grass, will depend greatly upon on which individual state you're in.
In fact, there's so much variability that we can't group them into sections for the southern region. Look for your state and see which season and grass type is best for planting!
Alabama
Season: Mid spring - Summer.
Grass type: Bermuda, or Zoysia
Arkansas
Season: Late Spring - Summer.
Grass type: Bermuda
Florida
Season: Late Spring - Summer.
Grass type: Bermuda, Zoysia, or St. Augustine
Georgia
Season: Late Spring - Summer/Early Fall.
Grass type: Bermuda, Zoysia, St. Augustine, or Fescue
Kentucky
Season: Early Fall & Early Spring/Summer.
Grass type: Kentucky Bluegrass, Tall Fescue, or Bermuda
Louisiana
Season: Spring - Summer.
Grass type: Centipede grass, or Bermuda
Mississippi
Season: Mid spring - Summer.
Grass type: Bermuda, or Zoysia
North Carolina
Season: Early Fall & Early Spring/Summer.
Grass type: Kentucky Bluegrass, Fine Fescue, or Bermuda
Oklahoma
Season: Early Fall & Early Spring/Summer.
Grass type: Kentucky Bluegrass, Fine Fescue, or Bermuda
South Carolina
Season: Early Fall & Early Spring/Summer.
Grass type: Kentucky Bluegrass, Fine Fescue, or Bermuda
Tennessee
Season: Early Fall & Early Spring.
Grass type: Kentucky Bluegrass, Rye, or Fescue
Texas
Season: Mid spring - Summer/Early Fall & Early Spring.
Grass type: Bermuda, St. Augustine, or Tall Fescue
Virginia
Season: Early Fall & Early Spring.
Grass type: Kentucky Bluegrass, Rye, or Fescue
West Virginia
Season: Early Fall & Early Spring.
Grass type: Kentucky Bluegrass, Rye, or Fescue
Western Region
Finally, the western region. Just like the Southern region, there's a lot of variability here.
Again, we'll have to stick to giving you a state-by-state breakdown of when to plant and what type of grass.
Alaska
Season: Late Spring - Summer.
Grass type: Bluegrass, Fescue
Arizona
Season: Spring - Summer.
Grass type: Zoysia
California
Season: Early Fall & Late Spring/Summer.
Grass type: Fine Fescue/Bermuda, or St. Augustine
Colorado
Season: Early Fall & Early Spring.
Grass type: Kentucky Bluegrass
Hawaii
Season: Late Spring - Summer.
Grass type: Bermuda, or Zoysia
Idaho
Season: Early Fall & Early Spring.
Grass type: Kentucky Bluegrass
Nevada
Season: Early Fall & Early Spring/Summer.
Grass type: Kentucky Bluegrass, Fine Fescue, or Bermuda
New Mexico
Season: Mid spring - Summer.
Grass type: Bermuda
Oregon
Season: Early Fall & Early Spring.
Grass type: Kentucky Bluegrass, Rye, or Fescue
Utah
Season: Early Fall & Early Spring.
Grass type: Kentucky Bluegrass
Washington
Season: Early Fall & Early Spring.
Grass type: Kentucky Bluegrass, Bentgrass, or Fine Fescue
Wyoming
Season: Early Fall & Early Spring.
Grass type: Kentucky Bluegrass
