Of the two major types of grass -- warm-season grasses and cool-season grasses -- only the latter should be planted in fall. Missouri's climate in fall is suited to growing cool-season varieties like Kentucky bluegrass, perennial rye grass and tall fescue. Warm-season grasses like buffalo grass and zoysia will also grow in Missouri, but these should be planted in early summer.
Late summer to early fall is the best time to plant cool-season grass seed in Missouri. The University of Missouri advises planting grass no earlier than Aug. 25 and no later than Oct. 10, and the earlier part of this range is recommended.
You can also plant cool-season grass in early spring, but early fall in Missouri has just the right combination of conditions. The days are still warm enough to encourage germination, and the shortening days and cooler nights help keep the ground moist, and are ideal for the growth and development of seedlings Grass planted in spring will have greater competition from weeds, and may suffer from dry summer conditions.