Careful Calendaring: When to Plant Grass Seed
by
Dawn West, All About Lawns Columnist
August 21, 2006
For folks lucky enough to live in regions with year round sun,
timing grass seed planting is fairly easy. Your warm-season grass seed
will do well anytime the temperatures are nice, which is a big chunk of
the year. For folks in four-season climates, successfully putting in
grass seed gets more complicated. Here are a few grass seed timing tips
for those of us who face winter, spring, summer, and fall.
If you're seeding a cool season grass (Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescue,
perennial rye, etc.) timing is key to the seeds' success. But that
doesn't mean you're stuck with a two week window and no other options.
Fall Grass Planting The ideal time to seed your cool season
lawn is between August 15 and September 15. Temperatures will have
dropped a bit, making the seeds and new grass less likely to be
scorched from the face of the earth. Plus, there'll be plenty of time
after September 15 for your new grass to take hold before winter sets
in. If it goes down for winter in great, mature condition, it'll come
back that way in the spring.
Dormant Grass Planting Just because you've missed the August
to September window doesn't mean you're out of fall grass planting
options. You can always take your chances planting a little later,
particularly if you're enjoying an Indian summer. Or you can wait until
late autumn to spread grass seeds. They'll remain dormant all winter,
but when spring returns they'll start sprouting, giving you a jump
start on the next growing season. There are risks -- the seeds can be
washed or blown away by harsh weather -- but it's a good option for
those who don't want to wait.
Spring Grass Planting An early spring seeding, during the
month of April (or March if the snow has melted in your area) is
another good option. If you plant early enough, you'll give your tender
young grass enough time to establish it's roots before the heat of
summer arrives.
Whether you plant in the spring or fall, baby your new lawn and you'll see great results.
About the Author
Dawn West B.A. holds a B.A. in English from Harvard University and teaches writing at Oregon State University.
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