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When Is It Best to Put Grass in the Backyard?

The best time to put grass in the backyard depends heavily on where your live. Those living in the southern United States typically grow warm season grass types, whereas those in northern regions grow cool season grass. Both grass varieties have different growing seasons. Warm season grass cannot tolerate cold weather, and cool season grass goes dormant in the summer. Moreover, your desired establishment method will dictate when to plant in the backyard.
  1. Warm Season Grass

    • Warm season grass varieties such as bermuda, St. Augustine, zoysia, centipede, seashore paspalum, bahia and carpet, should be put in the yard in the spring or at the start of their growing season. These grass types need to be planted when soil temperatures are between 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Virginia Cooperative Extension. Check your soil temperatures after the last frost. Plan to establish your grass when temperatures remain constantly above 65 degrees Fahrenheit for a week.

    Cool Season Grass

    • Cool season grass types include fescues, ryegrasses and bluegrasses. Gardeners who live in areas that have temperate summers can plant in the early spring. However, their new grass seedlings are at risk of becoming damaged if there is a summer heat spell. Typically, gardeners will grow their cool season grass at the end of the summer or the early fall. These grass types must be planted when soil temperatures are around 50 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Julie Day from Danny Lipford.

    Establishment Method

    • Grass is put in yards through several different establishment methods: sod, sprigs, plugs and grass seed. Sod is easier to establish than grass seed and can be laid in the backyard almost anytime of year, except during the heat of summer. Sprigs and plugs for warm season grass types have a greater success when they are planted in the spring, according to "Sunset" magazine. Generally, cool season grass is not available as sprigs and plugs. Grass seed must have the appropriate soil temperature based on the type of grass in order to germinate.

    Other Factors

    • Gardeners cannot put grass on a backyard that hasn't been prepared. Remove all vegetation on the lawn space by spraying a herbicide that contains glyphosate, which gardeners prefer because it leaves behind little soil residue. However, gardeners must wait five to 14 days to plant in their backyard after using herbicide, as suggested by the University of Minnesota. Regardless of the type of establishment method you use, plant or lay grass when the soil is moist.