The Best Time of Year to Seed Lawn

Cool Season Grass

• A cool season grass, like Kentucky bluegrass, fescue and perennial ryegrass, grows best in the spring and fall. Plant cool season grass in the fall so that the root system has a chance to get established before the winter frost; in the spring, the grass will be well enough established to survive, if not thrive, during the summer.

Warm Season Grass

• Bermuda grass, zoysia and St. Augustine are considered warm season grasses. Heat- and drought-resistant, they will survive summer months when cool grasses start to look stressed. Plant warm season grass seed from spring through early fall. The grass will mature and root systems will become established before the grass goes dormant in cool temperatures.

Climate

• Planting grass seed during cool weather allows the seed to become established in the soil with little or no competition from invading weeds. A fall planting allows seeds to root before heavy frosts hit. Planting during a moist season will aid in the germination of the grass seed.