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    Home » Lawn Care

    Published: Aug 5, 2020 · Modified: Mar 22, 2021 by Mads Martigan · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    When is the Best Time to Plant 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:

    1. Moisture
    2. 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

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    About Mads Martigan

    Mads is the founder of Madbackyard.com and has been a BBQ and Grilling enthusiast for the past 15 years. He loves to write about and make videos on smoking and barbecuing all kinds of great food.

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    Robert "Mads" Martigan, the founder of Mad Backyard

    Hi, I'm Mads, the founder of Mad Backyard and an avid outdoorsman, barbecue/smoker buff, and pellet grilling enthusiast who loves to share my passion for outdoor living and outdoor cooking with the world.

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