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What Kind of Grass Seed to Plant in the Fall

Cool season grass seed germinates and spreads better in the fall, according to the University of Missouri. There are three main varieties of cool season grass that gardeners can seed in their lawns: fescues, rye grasses and bluegrasses. Planting these grass types too early can result in thinning or dead lawns. These grass types cannot tolerate hot summer temperatures and dry out in the soil.

  1. Fescues

    • Fescue grass types are prized by gardeners trying to grow grass in their shady yards. Cultivars that can tolerate shade include hard fescue, creeping red fescue, tall fescue and chewings fescue, according to the University of Wisconsin. While fescue grass seed can grow in dry and moist soils, they cannot tolerate heavy foot traffic. In addition, grass takes longer to spread over bare areas. Gardeners will often use a blend of fescue and Kentucky bluegrass to quickly establish a lawn.

    Ryegrasses

    • There are two main types of ryegrass: annual and perennial. Annual or Italian ryegrass typically lasts for one season, according to Pennsylvania State University. Gardeners usually overseed their warm season lawns with annual grass to have winter color. Perennial ryegrass is planted in fall and goes dormant during the winter. This grass starts growing in the spring then goes back into dormancy during the heat of the summer. Furthermore, perennial ryegrass can tolerate areas of shade, according to the University of Wisconsin.

    Bluegrasses

    • There are numerous different cultivars that make up bluegrass turf. The most widely used is Kentucky bluegrass. Kentucky bluegrass has high wear tolerance, which is the reason it can be used in spots fields, according to Rutgers Cook College. This grass type is planted in the fall and grows until the hot summer months. Gardeners should avoid using Kentucky bluegrass in shade areas. This grass will die out and leave bare areas for weed growth.

    When to Plant

    • Gardeners living in cool areas such as Missouri can seed their cool season grass seed in August if temperatures have cooled down from the summer, according to the University of Missouri. Prior to seeding the lawn, all weeds must be removed. Also, a starter fertilizer should be applied to the lawn to offer new grass enough nutrients for spreading. Sow your seeds on a cool day. Keep the soil moist for two weeks to promote cool season grass seed germination.

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Growing Grass
  1. When to Seed Grass in the Fall
  2. What Time to Plant Grass Seed
  3. What Is the Best Shade- & Drought-Resistant Grass Seed?
  4. What Grass Should I Plant in the Fall?
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  6. The Best Fescue Grass Seed
  7. What Kind of Fertilizer Do I Use for My Grass in the Fall?
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  10. The Best Time to Plant Grass Seed in Texas
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