Can I Spread Lawn Seed Before Winter?

Reasons for Seeding Before Winter

• The best lawns are planted before winter and seeding should be completed before mid-September. It is estimated that the lawns seeded after this lose 10 percent of the seeds for every day later. An exception to this rule is the areas that stay continually warm. Except for areas in the south, the best time to seed lawns is later in the summer and early fall when upper soil temperature is between 68-86 degrees. Seeding at the right time before winter gives the seeds enough time to establish their roots before they are hit with the winter dormancy. During this time the plant life is strong with little competition from weeds. Lawns that are seeded before winter gain a head-start in spring. Their root systems are established and strong enough to achieve vibrant growth during the hot and dry summers.

Different Times to Seed the Lawn

• Though the best time to seed a lawn differs with the climate of the region, the rule of thumb is to do this when the new seedlings are likely to face the least competition from the weeds. In the northern regions where the winters are hard, this time is in fall before the early frost and the cold sets in.

  Many gardeners in the north also choose to seed in early spring as soon as the ground allows. This gives the grass time to take root before the summer starts. There are a lot of advantages of spring planting, including a lot of strong sunshine. When combined with plenty of water and well fertilized soil, this translates into extremely good results.

  Gardeners in the south choose to seed any time from late spring to early fall, depending on the grass seeds they have chosen.