When Should I Reseed My Lawn If I Live in Tennessee?

Cool-Season Grass

• Cool-season grass types such as fescues, bluegrasses, bentgrasses and ryegrasses should be reseeded in late August to mid-October, according to the University of Tennessee. Gardeners who reseed their lawns with a cool-season grass type, such as fescue, in the spring risk losing young seedlings to hot summer heat. Ryegrasses and bluegrasses may be reseeded in the late winter to early spring if the weather isn't too rainy. Cool-season grass produces healthy growth when air temperatures are between 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Warm-Season Grass

• Warm-season grass types such as Bermuda, St. Augustine, zoysia centipede and bahia are reseeded between May 1 to June 30th, according to the University of Tennessee. These grass types grow best when air temperatures are between 80 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the University of Tennessee. To prevent a short season, avoid reseeding warm-season grass types too late in the year. Grass goes dormant in the fall or when temperatures start to plummet. Often, gardeners in Tennessee will reseed their lawns with both cool- and warm-season grass types for a year-round green lawn.

When to Reseed

• Gardeners reseed their lawns for a variety of reasons, such as to cover bare areas after dethatching, seeding after a disease has thinned out the lawn or planting shade-tolerant grass seeds under trees. It is important to avoid leaving bare patches in the lawn. Weeds take advantage of the lack of competition in these areas. A large population of weeds in the yard competes with your turf grass for the nutrients, moisture and air flow.

Other Factors

• Many areas of Tennessee have soils that are too acidic to support healthy grass growth. By obtaining a soil analysis before planting from your local cooperative extension office, you raise the chance of a successful reseeding. Send your cooperative extension office a soil sample six weeks prior to planting grass seed, as recommended by the University of Tennessee. Apply limestone in accordance with any soil recommendations prior to seeding. Retest the soil in six months to make sure the limestone altered the soil pH.