When do you lay grass seed?
Summary
Determining the best time to lay grass seed depends on several factors, including the type of grass, local climate, and ground conditions. Many users find success by aligning planting with favorable ground temperatures, while others suggest that getting the seed in place early allows it to be ready when conditions are right. Some users recommend taking care in how you test ground temps, because the top 1/4" of soil warms up faster than deeper soil. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure the seed has the best chance to germinate and establish a healthy lawn.
Here's what our forum users are saying about when to lay grass seed:
- "The sooner the seed gets in place the quicker it will respond when circumstances are correct... I spread seed on frozen turf in early winter or late winter, and it seeks its own level by germination time... no worries... :)" -- Smallaxe, Lawnsite.com
- "If the grass seed will not be disturbed, you can put it down anytime with the proper preparation. But, since it won't germinate until the ground warms up enough anyway, you're better off waiting until late March." -- EDEN77, Lawnsite.com
- "Fescue is good now. Warm season grasses should wait until May or maybe later in your area; if you went this route, you can just put out some annual rye for now." -- andyslawncare, Lawnsite.com
- "Grass can be planted as soon as you can get equipment on the field. It will sit there until the conditions are right, then pop up. We planted the first week of March here in Louisville (ground temps were 35F) and we have a NICE stand of grass coming along already." -- glfredrick, Lawnsite.com
Post Mentions
- Ground temps are everything for germination, but take care in how you test. Sticking a thermometer in a couple of inches will give a false reading for germinating grass seed. It thrives in the top 1/4" of soil, which can warm up fairly quickly compared to down deep. I asked this question of...
- The sooner the seed gets in place the quicker it will respond when circumstances are correct... I spread seed on frozen turf in early winter or late winter, and it seeks its own level by germination time... no worries... :)
- What species of grass will you use? Fescue is good now. Warm season grasses should wait until May or maybe later in your area; if you went this route, you can just put out some annual rye for now. I recommend to use a silt seeder.
- If the grass seed will not be disturbed, you can put it down anytime with the proper preparation. But, since it won't germinate until the ground warms up enough anyway, you're better off waiting until late March.
- How early can I put down grass seed? A customer was wanting it on March 10th. But, around here we don't start mowing until about April 1st. Will the seed germinate even though the rest of the grass hasn't started growing yet? Or, will the seed just wait until the temperature rises to...
- Friday we finally got the compost spread out, took me and my wife 9 hours to remove the old grass clumps and spread out the 6 cu yards of compost over 5000 sq ft of land. At the end neither of us had the strength to put the grass down. Saturday(today) it rained on and off all day so the ground...
- Does the hill face North? Is this a small hill she could have sod laid over? Etc? Etc? Is she using Farmand Fleet or Wally-seed? Can you see bare erosion furrows running down the hill? Does the grass grow except for the furrows from erosion? Did she cover the seed? With what? I don't really...
- The lesson learned is don't put too much seed down in one area. If you do, the grass grows up into a mess of dense fine strands that look more like moss than grass. The grass strands are too week to stand up on their own; so then they just fall over and prevent the water from getting to their...
- I'm renovating my lawn and today after scalping it, I overseeded with three times the amount of seed recommended. (Pennington Northeast Mix, tall fescue/ryegrass/bluegrass). I should've put 9 lbs/1000sq ft and I put down 28 lbs/1000. I know, dumb. I thought I would eyeball it. When I was done I...
- Ah. Then it should work since you put the topsoil over it. (y) Now just keep it moist with 3 10 minute mistings per day. Without mixing the seed into the soil, it's completely a guessing game.
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- How early can I put down grass seed? A customer was wanting it on March 10th. But, around here we don't start mowing until about April 1st. Will the seed germinate even though the rest of the grass hasn't started growing yet? Or, will the seed just wait until the temperature rises to...
- I'm renovating my lawn and today after scalping it, I overseeded with three times the amount of seed recommended. (Pennington Northeast Mix, tall fescue/ryegrass/bluegrass). I should've put 9 lbs/1000sq ft and I put down 28 lbs/1000. I know, dumb. I thought I would eyeball it. When I was done I...
- I had a pool put in and now need to seed my lawn. It has been in the 40s mostly here in NJ. I need to get some top soil and was thinking about doing it this week. Is it too early to put grass seed down in NJ?
- Friday we finally got the compost spread out, took me and my wife 9 hours to remove the old grass clumps and spread out the 6 cu yards of compost over 5000 sq ft of land. At the end neither of us had the strength to put the grass down. Saturday(today) it rained on and off all day so the ground...
- The lesson learned is don't put too much seed down in one area. If you do, the grass grows up into a mess of dense fine strands that look more like moss than grass. The grass strands are too week to stand up on their own; so then they just fall over and prevent the water from getting to their...
