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Is it OK to Plant Grass Seed at the End of July?

The best time for planting grass depends on the type of seed, the local weather conditions and climate, and the amount of water available. For the best chance of success, plant a variety that will grow well in your climate. Time the planting for the optimal temperature and precipitation conditions in your area.
  1. Cool-Season Grasses

    • Cool-season grasses are not well-suited for summer planting.These varieties require warm days and cool nights for proper germination. Although many people choose to plant grass in spring, early fall is often a better choice. In spring, weed seeds are prolific and will grow right along with grass seed. Cool fall temperatures are equally beneficial, but there are far fewer weeds to compete with the grass. Cool-season grasses include fescue, ryegrass and the well-known and widely planted bluegrass.

    Warm-Season Grasses

    • Warm-season grasses germinate with planting through the end of July, although June is the optimal time for planting. Zoysia, buffalograss and Bermuda grass can all be planted in summer, and are often found in the warmer Southern states. In cooler areas of the country, these grasses can be killed off by an early frost before they have a chance to become established.

    Seeds

    • Seeding is more economical than purchasing and laying sod, but some warm-season grasses, such as St. Augustine grass, do not propagate well from seed. Most cool-season grasses grow well from seed. Select a seed with at least 90 percent purity and 85 percent germination for the best results. Seeds with lower percentages are often less expensive, but can establish poorly and encourage weed growth. Federal law requires this information to be listed on the packaging.

    Watering

    • All grass seed, regardless of the variety, requires ample watering during the germination period. Once the seeds begin to germinate, they must remain moist at all times. If they dry out, they will die. However, overwatering can cause the seeds to float to the surface of the soil, encouraging disease. Newly planted seed should be watered several times a day with a light misting spray that will keep the soil moist without disturbing or uncovering the seeds. If there is no irrigation or watering system available, then July planting will deliver poor results. In areas that rely on rainfall for watering, spring or fall planting is preferable.