Can I Plant Grass Seed in October?

Fescue Grasses

• Fescue grasses do well in the autumn. Sow 6 to 8 lbs. of fescue seed for every 1,000 square feet of lawn. Keep the grass watered with at least 1 1/2 inch of water each week for the first month or two. Once it is established, it is drought and cold tolerant. Fescue grasses die back in the summer heat, so you will need to plant a warm-season grass in the spring.

Rye Grasses

• The rye grasses are also appropriate for October planting in warmer climates. Sow 3 to 5 lbs of winter rye seed per 1,000 square feet of existing grasses or use 5 to 7 lbs of seed for 1,000 square feet of bare earth. They need two to four weeks of frost-free weather to become established, so adjust the planting date for your area. Bare-earth planting needs more time to become established.

Bluegrasses

• Bluegrass seeds are best planted in the early fall, but planting as late as Oct. 15 is often successful. With late planting, mix in approximately 40 percent rye grass seed. The rye grass germinates quickly and provides cover for the bluegrass over the winter.

Overseeding

• Overseeding is used to fill in bare spots or to alternate between cool-season and warm-season grasses. Before sowing the seed, mow the lawn to approximately 1 to 1½ inches. Sow the seeds at a rate of half the amount indicated for a new planting. Keep the soil moist while the seed germinates and for a few weeks afterward while the grass becomes established.

Preparing a New Lawn

• Prepare the soil before planting by leveling the seedbed and mixing in nutrient-rich organic compost. Spread the seed evenly over the area and rake it gently to bury the seed. Water with a fine spray to avoid washing the seeds away.