When is the best time plant grass?

Cool season grasses such as Fescue and Bluegrass do best when planted in the early spring or early fall. Warm season grasses such as Bermuda do best when planted in the late spring and summer.

Does it matter when you plant grass?

Yes, different types of grass require different soil temperatures to germinate. Planting grass when the soil temperatures are too cold or too warm will impede their germination.

Will pre-emergent weed killer hurt my sod?

No, pre-emergent weed preventers work by preventing seed germination. Sod is grass that has already germinated from seed and begun to grow.

When is the Best Time to Plant Grass Seed?

Q: Can I Plant Grass Seed Right After Using Pre-Emergent Weed Killer?

No. Pre Emergent weed preventers designed to prevent crabgrass and broadleaf weeds will also keep your grass seed from germinating. Wait at least 12 weeks after their use in the pring, or wait until fall to plant your grass seed.

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!

grass seed growing after being planted — Choosing the right TIME to plant grass is almost as important as HOW you plant it!

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?

grass growing out of some soil — Like the old saying goes: “The grass is always greener where you have moisture and the correct soil conditions”.

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

heay rains affecting new grass growth — Don’t plant your grass seed right before a deluge.

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?

broadleaf weeds and dandelions — Pre-emergent weed killers and new grass seed DO NOT Mix.

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

a row of grassy lawns in the fall — Fall is the best time to plant cool season grasses in the northern and midwestern sattes.

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

a northeastern home a grassy lawn — Cool season grasses are the best to plant in the northeastern region of the US.

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

a southern plantation home with newly planted grass — Warm season grasses grow best when planted in the late spring and summer in the south.

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

a california style house with palm trees — In the wide ranging climates of the western USA, when to plant your grass seed will come down to your local temperature and the type of seed you are planting.

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

Sources

http://www.ntep.org/states/states.htm