The best time to plant grass seed depends on the type of grass and your regional climate:
- For cool-season grasses (e.g., Kentucky bluegrass, fescue, ryegrass), the best time to plant grass seed is in late summer to early fall when soil temperatures are around 50 to 65°F. This timing helps the grass establish before the winter and thrive come spring.
- For warm-season grasses (e.g., Bermuda, St. Augustine, Zoysia), it's ideal to plant in late spring to early summer once soil temperatures consistently reach about 65°F. This gives the grass seedlings time to establish before the hotter summer.
In general, the ideal planting windows vary by region because of climate differences. For example:
- Northeast U.S.: Mid-April to early May for cool-season grasses
- Southeast U.S.: Late March to mid-May for warm-season grasses
- Midwest U.S.: Mid-April to mid-May for cool-season grasses
- Southwest U.S.: Late March to May for warm-season grasses
- Mountain West: Late April to early June for cool-season grasses
Besides temperature, moisture and avoiding competition from weeds are important. Spring and autumn are generally the best seasons because the weather is more favorable with adequate warmth and moisture for seed germination and growth. If you plant outside these recommendations, your success chances decrease due to extreme heat, cold, or dry conditions that can stress the grass seedlings. Keep in mind to plant at least 45 days before the first expected fall frost for cool-season grasses to establish properly.
