When you plant grass seed, you want your new lawn to grow in green and healthy.
How can you make that happen? Well, timing plays a huge role. Planting grass seed at the right time of year is one way to make sure your lawn can flourish.
Let’s talk about one particular time—April. Is April a good time to plant grass, or should you aim for a different date? Keep reading for the verdict.
When to plant grass seed in spring
If you have your heart set on planting grass in spring, early April is, in fact, the best time to do it. But, depending on where you live, spring seeding could come with complications.
Here’s the thing—spring elements in the Midwest or Northeast (i.e., temperatures in the 60s and 70s and steady rainfall) are actually great for growing cool seasons grasses. The problem is, weeds also thrive in these elements. That means your grass will be forced to compete with unwelcome weeds as it tries to grow. Not to mention, if springtime weather isn’t just right, like for example, the soil is too cold or it’s overly drenched by rain, you probably won’t have much success growing new grass. Also, if your lawn is scheduled to have pre-emergent weed control applications around this time, be aware that this will inhibit grass seed from germinating.
Now, let’s say the weather is perfect for planting grass in April. Should you do it?
You could, but there’s a chance you’ll run into issues come summertime. Stressful summer heat could slow or completely stop the growth of cool-season grasses. Warm-season grasses, on the other hand, are meant to be planted in late spring or early summer.
So yes, you can plant cool-season grass in spring, and you should shoot for April if you’re doing so. But, your lawn will have a much better chance at survival if you wait until later in the year.
Best time to plant grass seed in the Northeast
If you live in the Northeastern U.S., the best time to lay new grass seed is mid-August to mid-September. Here’s why:
- The warm days and cool nights are perfect for seed development
- The soil is still warm from summer, which helps with seed growth
- Lawns that have time to establish themselves in fall are much better equipped to handle hot summers than lawns started in spring
Best time to plant grass in the Midwest
Cool-season grasses are also prominent in the Midwest, so fall is the best time to plant grass seed in this area. Again, aim for mid-August to mid-September.
Why the best time to plant grass seed differs
You’ve read about two different types of grasses here: warm season and cool season.
As their names suggest, each one grows best in certain regional weather elements. In a nutshell, cool-season grass needs mild daytime temperatures and cooler nights to thrive. Warm-season grasses grow best when the days are warm and when they have time to establish before things cool down in fall. You can read more about these grass types here.
Your region also determines when other lawn care should happen. Do you see any bare patches or bald spots? If so, consider overseeding your lawn.
FAQs
Warm-season grasses, on the other hand, are meant to be planted in late spring or early summer. So yes, you can plant cool-season grass in spring, and you should shoot for April if you're doing so. But, your lawn will have a much better chance at survival if you wait until later in the year.
How early can you plant grass seed in the spring? ›
Best time to attempt spring grass seeding
The best time to seed in the spring is mid-March through early April. Like fall seeding, the soil must first be prepared. The recommended method is verticutting.
What month should I put grass seed down? ›
The last five weeks of summer to early autumn, pending the weather, is the best time of year to plant grass seed. At this time, day and nighttime temperatures are cooling, dew is more present on lawns, and annual broadleaf weeds and crabgrass are dying.
When should I plant grass seed in my area? ›
Grass seed can be planted year-round, but fall is optimal for cool season grass and spring for warm season varieties. Winter planting is discouraged for both due to the risk of seed loss and frost damage. Warm season grass can be seeded in summer, though it requires significant irrigation.
What is the best grass seed to plant in spring? ›
In the cooler Northern states, cool-season grasses like Kentucky Bluegrass, Tall Fescue, and Perennial Ryegrass are the top choices. They can withstand freezing temperatures and grow best in the spring and fall.
What happens if you plant grass seed too early in the spring? ›
If done too early, some seed will germinate late in the season and those immature seedlings often won't survive the winter. Put down your seed while the ground is not frozen, but is still cold enough so germination of the grass seed will not occur until next spring.
Can I just throw grass seed on bare spots? ›
Can I Just Throw Grass Seed on Bare Spots? Throwing grass seed onto bare spots will result in little-to-no germination and will not help to repair lawn spots. If you want to fix patches on grass, you need to properly prepare the bare spots before laying down the seed.
What temperature kills grass seed? ›
The ideal temperature range for grass seed is between 55-85°F (12-29°C). Anything below 55°F (13°C) will inhibit the growth of your grass seeds, so it's important to keep an eye on the weather forecast when planting. In cooler climates, you may need to wait until spring or early summer before planting your lawn.
Can I plant grass seed in April? ›
If you have your heart set on planting grass in spring, early April is, in fact, the best time to do it.
Should I water after putting grass seed down? ›
It is important to keep the surface area constantly moist until all seeds have germinated. Until the planted area is densely showing green growth, don't allow it to dry out.
It's possible to grow some types of grasses in summer, but they'll need extra TLC. Not all grass varieties are suited for planting during the hot, humid summer months. However, it is possible to grow some types of grasses successfully in summer, they'll just need some extra care.
How long does it take grass to grow from seed? ›
Whether you're repairing bare spots, overseeding an existing lawn or starting from scratch, you can generally expect grass seedlings to emerge within seven to 21 days when grown under proper conditions. It may take another three to four weeks of growth before grass is long enough to mow.
Can you put too much grass seed down? ›
Quality grass seed labels include guidance on optimal seeding rates to maximize your results. Don't overdo or cut corners. Too much grass seed causes undue competition for resources such as light, water and nutrients, and grass seedlings struggle as a result. Too little seed leaves lawns thin or bare.
Can I plant grass seed in May? ›
The best time to plant grass seed for cool-season grasses is in early fall or around September. For warm-season grasses, late spring or early summer (May to June) is the optimal time.
Can you walk on grass seed after planting? ›
Newly seeded areas should be restricted from foot traffic for a least a month after the seed has germinated or until the new lawn has been mowed at least a couple of times.
Should I put topsoil down before grass seed? ›
Adding topsoil to your lawn before planting grass seeds is a good approach, as long as you amend and aerate it before seed dispersal. After laying your topsoil, work around 4 inches of organic material into it to create a fertile soil environment.
What temperature is too cold for grass seed? ›
If you're wondering how cold is too cold for grass seed germination use our rule of thumb and check the weather reports. If the daytime temperature is below 60°F then soil temperature is below 50°F, making it too cold; if there is frost or still a danger of frost, then it's too cold.
At what temperature can you plant grass seed? ›
The ideal temperature range for grass seed is between 55-85°F (12-29°C). Anything below 55°F (13°C) will inhibit the growth of your grass seeds, so it's important to keep an eye on the weather forecast when planting.
Can grass grow in 40 degree weather? ›
Cool season grasses will grow in the 40-50F SOIL TEMP range a little. They won't germinate though, TALL fescue (don't say just "fescue") especially requires much higher SOIL temps to germinate, like 60-75. Likewise, tall fescue will barely grow at all below 50F soil temps.
How warm does it have to be to put down grass seed? ›
Daytime temperatures around 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit typically mean the soil temperature is between 50 and 65 degrees and perfect for seed germination. If the soil temperature is much lower than 50 degrees, however, the seeds will lay dormant and not germinate.
