Editorial note: Homefront (defined in the Disclosure below) may earn a commission from affiliate partner links featured on our site. This commission does not influence our editors’ opinions or evaluations.
Dan Simms is a contributing writer at 潘金莲传媒映画 Homefront specializing in home repair, renovation and renewable energy. While working as a property manager for one of the largest real estate management firms in New York, Dan worked alongside contractors and renovation specialists to prepare homes for sale. He is an avid DIYer and has completed a shed construction and a bathroom renovation in his own home and investment properties. He lives on Long Island, New York. Reach out to him on .
Join the 1,109 people who have received their free, no-obligation quote over the last month.
With our No. 1 rated provider,
Planting grass seed at the right time of year is key to your lawn鈥檚 health.
Your grass type and local climate will determine the best time to plant new grass seed.
To foster grass growth, water new seeds often and wait to mow your lawn until they鈥檝e developed a strong root system.
The right time to plant grass seed in the spring depends on the type of grass you have, where you live and the current weather in your area. Growing a vibrant green lawn takes work. Part of it is hands-on yardwork; the other part is knowing what to do before you get your hands dirty.
鈥淟ocation is a factor for planting grass, as is the direction of the sun,鈥� said Kody Ketterling, landscaping professional and founder of , a company based in Magic Valley, Idaho, that designs sprinkler system components.
鈥淭rees and plant life play a factor, as shade can cause grass to grow [more slowly] and have issues,鈥� he said.
Determining the right time to plant grass seed for your specific area and property conditions makes a big difference in your lawn鈥檚 health 鈥� not just in the spring but throughout the year.
The best time to plant grass seed in the spring depends on a few key factors. Different grass varieties respond differently to soil temperature, air temperature and soil moisture.
The region where you live greatly affects when you should seed your lawn. Soil and air temperatures make a difference, noted Ketterling, and they depend on where you鈥檙e located in the country.
鈥淚f it is usually below a consistent daytime high of 55鈥�60 degrees Fahrenheit 鈥� which means the soil temps are even lower than that 鈥� it is too cold to plant grass,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou also have to be free of any chances of frost, as when the grass is germinating and starting the growing process, it is in its most fragile state,鈥� he continued.
Frost kills grass seed, which wastes your money and leaves your lawn thin and susceptible to invasive species and insects.
You can use this handy (NOAA) to estimate when your area will see the final frost of the spring. These estimates are based on past data, so you鈥檒l have to factor in the weather trends for the current year, too.
鈥淲e recommend not planting grass seed until you have a consistent temp above 60 degrees during the day and do not have lows below 40 degrees,鈥� added Ketterling.
There are two main families of grass species: warm-season and cool-season grasses. Warm-season grasses flourish when they鈥檙e planted later in the spring, when soil temperatures are above 55 degrees, according to the (USDA). You should wait until the soil temperature hits 40 degrees for cool-season grasses, according to the .
If you鈥檙e unsure of what type of grass you have, you should bring a sample to your local garden center to have an expert identify it for you. Common warm-season grasses are Bermuda grass, zoysia grass, Bahia grass, centipede grass and St. Augustine grass. Cool-season grasses include Kentucky bluegrass, fine and tall fescue, creeping bentgrass and perennial ryegrass.
Since measuring soil temperature is not always feasible, you can estimate based on the air temperature. Consistent daytime temperatures of at least 40 degrees are required for cool-season grasses, and that number jumps to 60 degrees for warm-season grasses, according to the .
鈥淭emperature alone is not a reliable source for when to put down seed,鈥� said Ketterling. 鈥淪ome northern climates will get a warm stretch in February, and you may think it鈥檚 a good time to seed, but don鈥檛 be fooled,鈥� he continued. 鈥淭he day length is not long enough yet, so even though the ground temps may support growth, it鈥檚 still not going to work until the daylight hours increase in the spring.鈥�
You should wait until your area gets at least six hours of sunlight daily to plant new grass seed, according to the .
Rainfall is also important for timing when you seed your lawn. Adequate rainfall means you don鈥檛 have to water your lawn as much. If you鈥檙e experiencing a drought, you should delay planting until it passes. Water restrictions could prevent you from watering your lawn; without natural watering from rain, your seeds would die.
You should also wait to plant grass seed if you鈥檙e expecting heavy rain in the near future. Overwatering can cause numerous issues, including root damage and fungal pathogens, according to the .
Preparing your lawn for spring seeding requires assessing its strengths and weaknesses, clearing out weeds, prepping the soil, leveling the ground and premoistening the soil.
Before doing anything else, you must inspect your lawn鈥檚 health. Look for problem areas with thin coverage and note any spots with damage from the winter. You should also look for signs of pest activity or diseases, as these will require extra care to prevent as you head into the growing season. According to the , these signs can include the following:
It鈥檚 also a good idea to perform a soil test at this stage. Soil tests are easy to do with a kit from Home Depot or your local gardening supply store. They test your soil鈥檚 pH and nutrient content to help you decide what soil amendments you need. You may also be able to contact your local branch of the (NRCS) to get a professional soil test done. Many lawn care professionals provide this service as well.
New grass is finicky and requires ideal conditions to grow. Clear your lawn of debris such as leaves, twigs and other yard waste.
鈥淭he best way to prepare a seedbed is to till the soil up to 3 inches deep to reduce the compaction,鈥� said Ketterling. 鈥淩emove any large rocks or debris that will prevent the seed from coming in contact with the soil. Then go over the area with a metal rake to create grooves for the seed to fall into,鈥� he added.
This is also when you should think about weed control. You can remove weeds by hand but should also think about using a preemergent herbicide that doesn鈥檛 prevent seed germination. Preemergent herbicides are effective at controlling crabgrass and some broadleaf weeds.
However, most preemergent herbicides are too harsh for grass seedlings 鈥� they鈥檙e safe for existing lawns but can hamper the early growth of new lawns or newly seeded areas. Your best option is mesotrione, although it is generally only effective for cool-season grass.
Grass and soil become compacted over time, which creates thatch 鈥� a layer of grass roots, shoots and stems formed between soil and grass. If your lawn has a layer of thatch greater than one-half inch thick, you should dethatch it before planting grass seed. Thick layers of thatch make it harder for seed to thrive because they prevent soil contact, thereby inhibiting root growth.
Aerating your lawn helps roots grow deeper and combats soil compaction. Aeration involves perforating the soil with holes to allow water, nutrients and air into the roots. It helps with seed growth and overall lawn health.
When dethatching or aerating, it鈥檚 beneficial to cover the area with a topdressing of compost. This encourages the breakdown of organic matter while releasing nutrients and sets your lawn up for success.
With your soil鈥檚 physical structure taken care of, it鈥檚 time to restore its chemical balance. The results of the soil test you performed will inform what amendments you need to make. The ideal soil pH for new grass is between 6.5 and 7.0; being outside that range can deter growth.
If your soil鈥檚 pH is too low, add lime. If your soil鈥檚 pH is too high, sulfur can help reduce it. How much of each to use depends on the size of the area you have to cover. Follow the instructions on the packaging for the best results.
Your soil test will also tell you about the levels of your lawn鈥檚 nutrients, such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), and give you ideal ranges for your area and grass type. You could mix your own fertilizer to get the right blend of each nutrient for your lawn, but most garden supply stores carry a variety of fertilizers that suit different lawn types. Purchasing a fertilizer with the right NPK balance for your lawn鈥檚 current condition will help restore its nutrient balance.
If you have clay or sandy soil, you could also add some compost to improve its overall structure.
One of the final steps before seeding is to level the ground. Use a rake to break up clumps of soil and distribute it evenly across your lawn. Uneven ground can cause poor drainage and pooling, which makes it more challenging to maintain even moisture content for new seedlings.
You should lightly wet the ground before planting new grass seed. Grass seed requires constant moisture during the early growth stages, and wetting the ground before you plant makes it easier to start off with good moisture. Use your judgment here; the goal is to plant in slightly moist soil. If you鈥檙e planting immediately after rain, you may be able to skip this step.
Distribute your grass seed evenly across the planting area. An easy way to do this is with a spreader. Handheld spreaders give you more control over how the seeds are distributed, while push spreaders work more quickly and are good for covering large areas.
No matter what type of spreader you use, make sure you set the seeding rate to the recommended value for the type of grass seed you鈥檙e planting. You must get the seed鈥檚 density right so that you don鈥檛 wind up with bare spots (density is too low) or waste seed (density is too high).
Your job is not done once you finish seeding. Water your lawn enough after seeding, as grass seed requires a lot of water early on.
鈥淔or the first 1 to 2 weeks, water four times per day, at 10 minutes per session to make sure the area is constantly damp,鈥� said Ketterling. 鈥淎fter you notice more than 60% of the seed has germinated, you can back off the watering to a few times per week and increase the duration of each watering session.鈥� Watering recommendations vary by species, so you should adjust based on your seed鈥檚 packaging recommendations.
You should also limit heavy foot traffic on the seeded areas as much as possible until the grass is a few inches high. Kids and pets are especially hard on young grass. However, some foot traffic can be beneficial.
鈥淭his is often misunderstood, but you can 鈥� and should 鈥� walk on the area immediately after seeding,鈥� said Ketterling. 鈥淚t helps to improve seed-to-soil contact and will increase germination time.鈥�
鈥淭he trick is not to disturb the soil too much 鈥� Once you notice signs of germination, you should stay off the lawn area for three to four weeks.鈥�
Mowing your lawn too soon after seeding will stunt the new seed growth. You should wait to mow until the grass is about 2鈥�3 inches high, and set your mowing height high to reduce the stress on your lawn. Mowing too low and too soon makes your lawn susceptible to invasive weeds and pests.
To ensure a lush lawn, establish a fertilization routine and watering schedule that will carry your lawn through the summer months and promote healthy growth.
Once your grass comes in, you can stick to your regular watering schedule. Watering your lawn a few times per week 鈥� depending on rainfall levels and local restrictions 鈥� is enough to sustain your lawn鈥檚 health and promote its growth throughout the summer. Be sure to adjust the amount of water you give your lawn based on your grass type.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between 潘金莲传媒映画 and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help 潘金莲传媒映画 readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics.
Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider鈥檚 website for the most current information.
TruGreen is our top pick for full-service lawn care due to its variety of service plans and convenient features. We consider Sunday Lawn Care the best subscription lawn care company because of its customizable subscription plans and budget-friendly pricing. It鈥檚 up to you whether you鈥檇 like to care for your lawn yourself or have a鈥�
As you鈥檙e ready to kick off a new lawn care season, you might find yourself less than excited if your yard is dotted with fluffy dandelion heads and other weeds. That backyard oasis you鈥檝e been dreaming of all winter doesn鈥檛 materialize on its own. Wish as you may for lush grass, chances are, your yard鈥�
Keeping your lawn鈥檚 grass green and healthy doesn鈥檛 come easy, but preemergent herbicides can help. A preemergent herbicide is a weed killer applied to soil before weed seeds germinate, preventing them from sprouting and establishing roots. Knowing when to apply preemergent is crucial for success. Spraying too early or late in the growing season can鈥�
Our editorial team is committed to creating independent and objective content focused on helping our readers make informed decisions. To help support these efforts we receive compensation from companies that advertise with us.
The compensation we receive from these companies may impact how and where products appear on this site. This compensation does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides within our content. We do not include all companies, products or offers that may be available.