When should I seed my lawn?

Seed in early spring or early fall. Fertilize in early spring (after a mild winter) or late spring (after a cold winter), late summer and fall. Add small amounts of a shade-tolerant grass (such as fine fescue) or a wear-resistant grass (such as perennial ryegrass) to enhance a bluegrass lawn.

What month should you put grass seed down?

Plant cool-season grass seed in late summer or early fall (when daytime temperatures lower to about 60 to 75 degrees) for best success. September is typically the best month, although you might be able to get away with seeding as early as mid-August or as late as mid-October; it all depends on the forecast.

When should I seed my lawn in spring?

Best time to attempt spring grass seeding

The best time to seed in the spring is mid-March through early April. Like fall seeding, the soil must first be prepared. The recommended method is verticutting. A verticut slices grooves in the soil that allows for the necessary seed and soil contact for germination.

Can you just sprinkle grass seed on lawn?

Can you just sprinkle grass seed on top of your existing lawn? While it's possible to simply sow the new grass seed over your existing lawn, taking the time to prepare your lawn beforehand will increase the likelihood of seed germination and improve your end result.

How early can you seed your lawn?

The best time to plant grass seed for cool-season grasses is in early fall or around September. For warm-season grasses, late spring or early summer is the optimal time.

When's The Best Time To Seed The Lawn? Planting Grass Seed with Allyn Hane The Lawn Carew Nut

Is April too early to plant grass seed?

As with cool-season grasses, best warm-season planting times vary by location. In California, mid-April to mid-May is prime time for seeding warm-season lawns. In central and southern Arkansas, lawn owners plan their warm-season grass seeding for late May through June.

Can I plant grass seed in February?

Dormant seeding is best completed between November and February. Grass seeds are inactive and will remain that way until the ground warms later this spring. However, recent research has shown that grass seeds sown in February germinate faster than seeds planted in other dormant months.

Should I put topsoil over grass seed?

You can add a thin layer of organic matter to help the seed to germinate, but do not cover it over with top soil. 'Never put topsoil over newly planted grass seed,' says Yamaguchi. 'This won't provide healthy growing conditions – it will actually prevent the seedlings from sprouting by essentially suffocating them. '

How do I prepare my lawn for seeding?

Should you mow your lawn before seeding?

Before overseeding your thin lawn, cut your grass shorter than normal and bag the clippings. After mowing, rake the lawn to help loosen the top layer of soil and remove any dead grass and debris. This will give the grass seed easy access to the soil so it can root more easily after germinating.

How long does it take grass seed to grow in April?

Most grass seed will start growing in about 10-14 days, but sometimes it can take up to 30 days. When you're planting new grass seed in your yard, it can seem like it's taking forever to start sprouting.

Can you plant grass seed in the winter?

Grass seed can survive the winter, and planting during the winter season is known as dormant seeding. If you put down grass seed in November or December, the seed will just lay dormant until the soil starts to warm in spring. While this comes with risks, it can also be beneficial and save you time on seeding in spring.

Is may too late to plant grass seed?

So Is It Too Late To Plant Grass Seed? Remember, do not plant warm season grass seed later than 60 days before your average first frost; do not plant cool season grass seed later than 90 days before your average first frost.

Should you wet soil before planting grass seed?

The final step of site preparation for planting grass seed is to water the area well. Putting seed down on damp soil encourages speedy germination and provides immediate moisture to emerging roots. Wetting the area before planting is an important step in the process.

Do you aerate before or after seeding?

Within 48 hours after you aerate you should over seed, fertilize, and water your lawn. The seed, fertilizer, and water will have the best chance to get down into the holes made by the aerator if applied soon after aeration.

Can I put topsoil over grass and reseed?

Adding soil over grass can be another effective form of repairing a lawn. It is possible to dump new soil over top of what you have, and prepare it for sod or seed. This option will save you money on excavation costs of removing the old soil and grass.

Should I fertilize or reseed first?

Fertilize Before Sowing

New grass seeds are vulnerable, but giving them the proper soil conditions helps them take root and grow. For these reasons, it's necessary to fertilize an area to be seeded before doing anything else.

Should grass seed be covered?

Grass seeds can germinate and grow if not covered as long the grass seed is kept moist. However, covering the grass seed with a thin layer of straw mulch, topsoil, or compost will help retain moisture and speed up the germination process.

How cold is too cold for grass seed?

If you're wondering how cold is too cold for grass seed germination use our rule of thumb and check the weather reports. If the daytime temperature is below 60^°F then soil temperature is below 50^°F, making it too cold; if there is frost or still a danger of frost, then it's too cold.

Can I put down grass seed in January?

December and January are ideal. The cold weather allow for the seeds to lay dormant in the soil, waiting for temperatures to warm up, usually in late March. August and September are still the best months to seed.

Can I overseed in January?

You can overseed at almost any time of the year for a fraction of the cost of a complete reseeding. There is no risk of erosion from sudden downpours, and it's faster, neater, and less expensive than starting from scratch.

What happens if I plant grass seed too early?

Grass seed needs the correct soil and air temperature, as well as moisture content, to sprout. Planting it too early in the spring can result in less-than-ideal germination, because the seeds can die off or become unproductive.

Can you use too much grass seed?

Ignoring recommended seeding rates

Don't overdo or cut corners. Too much grass seed causes undue competition for resources such as light, water and nutrients, and grass seedlings struggle as a result.

How late can I overseed?

Overseeding is Better Late than Never

There will be plenty of time to fix most turf problems. Overseeding in October, or as Uncle calls it “OctOverseeding,” when the days are warm, nights are cool, and soil temperatures remain above 55°, allow grass seed to sprout very quickly.

What should I put on my lawn in February?

January/ February

Start your lawn off right by giving a light dose of fertilizer including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. In addition, early spring is the time to do your first application of pre-emergent herbicide.