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The Best Temperature for Sowing Grass Seed in the Fall

Fall sowing of grass seed gives grass a high chance of growing a good root system before winter-freezing weather. This increases the grass-survival rate the following summer when the weather is hot and dry. All types of grass seeds are sown during the fall.
  1. Benefit

    • Fall soil temperatures and moisture content are high enough to cause germination of the grass seed. During the autumn, there is less weed-seedling competition than during the spring.

    Sowing

    • Rake the broadcasted seeds 1/4 inch into loose soil. Do not leave the seeds sitting on top of the soil -- since it will only feed the birds. Keep the soil moist while the grass seeds are germinating.

    Temperature

    • Plant the grass seed four to six weeks before the first killing fall freeze. In most climates, this is from August through September. The best grass-seed germination occurs when the soil temperature is above 65 degrees F at a depth of 4 inches.