When To Plant Different Types of Grass Seed

Warm-season grasses perform best in areas with very hot summers and mild winters. The ideal temperature for this type of grass is between 80°F and 95°F, peaking during the hottest months of the year.

Warm-season grass requires warm soil to germinate and develop a deep, healthy root system. Timing for planting warm-season grasses is as follows:

Late Spring to Early Summer (Late May to July)

Warm-season grasses require warm soil to germinate, at a temperature of at least 65°F to 70°F. Planting should only be done after the soil has had enough time to warm up from beneath. This is generally sometime in late spring or early summer.

Best Growth Conditions

During late spring to early summer, the soil warms up enough to rapidly germinate the warm season grasses. Once this temperature threshold has been hit-which is typically 65-70°F-your grass can go off quite well.

The heat of the sun, however, is also important for these grasses as it enables them to grow fast and establish a strong root system before the full summer heat starts. This ensures that your lawn gets the best possible start, with strength and resilience to see it through the hottest part of the year.

Long-Lasting Results

Planting warm-season grasses in late spring to early summer allows this type of grass to gain full establishment. By summertime, the grass develops a strong, deep root system, enabling it to better survive the heat of summer.

It's when the summer comes that they seem to reach their growth and would give you a truly impressive turf, having it lush green in the whole season. Having a proper startup, this grass would really turn out excellent, lasting with attractive colors all this summer.

Late Fall Should be Avoided

Unlike cool-season grasses, the warm-season grass does not do well when planted during the fall. As temperatures start to cool down, the growth of warm season grasses begins to slow down, and it won't have enough time to establish its roots deeply before the weather gets cold.

This would leave them more vulnerable through winter and would not be so vigorous when the spring sets in. For this reason, the planting of grass should be reserved until the warmer temperatures of late spring or early summer arrive so it will have ample time to build itself up and make it through a harsh winter.

Bermuda Grass

Of the warm season grasses, Bermuda grass is hugely popular because of its heat and drought tolerance and high rate of growth. It grows best in lawns, sports fields, golf courses and parks, many features that require sunlight and endurance to withstand traffic.

Bermuda grass forms a vegetative mulch, and therefore, cost a little less to maintain once it has been sown. It needs a minimum amount of water – another factor that prevents the plant from withstanding drought.

Although it looks very dry and die when the weather becomes cold and its color changes to brown, the plant bounces back to life whenever it starts getting warm.

Zoysia Grass

Zoysia grass is among the most flexible grasses since it can withstand many climatic and soil types. Although germination occurs slowly, it will later produce a compact and dense environmentally friendly turf of grass. Zoysia adapts well to areas that receive full sunlight and those areas that receive partial shade.

It has fine to medium texture and resistant thatch level which results in putting up an excellent quality luxurious lawn. It is very good for places that have a little bit of canopy - and it is a shade loving plant. Zoysia is probably a little slower in getting started than others and once it starts growing it needs less watering and mowing.

During the very cold winter period it may be essential to overseeding to maintain a certain appearance of the grass especially in regions that experience bad winter weather.

St. Augustine Grass

St. Augustine grass, especially in coastal areas with much warmth, is very tolerant of heat, humidity, and salt. It has wide, lush blades and an incredibly deep green color. Although resistant to drought, St. Augustine grass performs better with frequent water applications during the height of the hottest temperatures.

It will set up well in full sun and partially shaded areas, but this grass would flourish better if in a sunny area. It requires frequent mowing and fertilizing for the ideal vibrancy and health of St. Augustine. Regular irrigation is called for, particularly when it involves strong summer heat.

Cool season grasses are usually grown in regions with cold winter and moderate summer counterparts. These grasses grow well during the cold seasons of the year and are best undertaken during the fall and early spring.

They prefer moderate temperatures of between 50 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit but resume growth at lower temperatures to reinforce root development and general plant vigor.

Fall (Late August to Early October): Prime Planting Time

It greatly is recommended that planting of the cool season grasses should be done in the fall. Because while the soil temperatures are still warm due to summer, the air temperatures are cool and the seeds will germinate without interference from high temperatures.

The bottom warmth is favorable to the germination of the seedlings while the cooler air condition above favors better root development.

Extended Growing Period

Planting grass in the fall provides an opportunity for it to establish a solid root system before the colder winter months set in. In regions with colder temperatures, cool-season grass can establish its roots even while dormant through winter.

This early groundwork helps ensure a quicker recovery when spring arrives, allowing the grass to flourish sooner.

Rainfall Benefits

Fall often brings more natural rainfall, which is a big advantage. With ample rain, the grass requires less frequent watering and can grow with minimal effort from you. This seasonal rainfall gives the grass a great chance to strengthen, preparing it for the colder months ahead.

By the time spring rolls around, cool-season grass will be well-adjusted, starting to grow early, and ready for the more intense growing season. An early start is key for healthy growth in spring and helps it thrive through the harsher summer conditions.

Spring (March to May): A Backup Option

If you miss the fall planting season, early spring (before the heat of summer arrives) is another option. However, spring planting often needs more attention, as the grass must become well-established before the summer heat hits.

Quick Germination and Rooting

In early spring, the soil temperature is ideal for germination, and the cooler weather reduces the risk of heat stress. Acting fast is crucial to allow cool-season grass to grow roots and settle in before the summer heat takes over.

However, if the summer heat arrives too soon, the grass may experience additional stress before it has fully developed.

Kentucky Bluegrass

Kentucky Bluegrass is the people’s favorite due to the attribute that its hue is bright green, and the grass’s touch is satisfyingly soft and silky. It is good for areas experiencing cool climates and is specifically recommended for people who desire a compact but fine textured lawn.

Nevertheless, Kentucky Bluegrass is characterized with great esthetic qualities – bright blue-green color and cold resistance, making it perfect for regions with severe winters.

However, this type of grass consumes a lot of water, and this means that it will need to be watered more than other type of grass. It also requires constant mowing so that it may be able to grow to a dense and uniform height.

Fescue (Tall, Fine, and Hard)

Fescue is flexible and suits extreme conditions of operation. The Fescue grass also prefers and manages extreme weather conditions. There are different kinds of Fescue such as Tall Fescue, Fine Fescue, and Hard Fescue and all have some features which are helpful.

Depending on type, Fescues are loved due to its cold and heat tolerance. There is typically not as much need for watering as there is with Kentucky Bluegrass, and they do not require as much care. It is great for most people with their yards that they want to look decent without having to take too much time to maintain.

Ryegrass

Ryegrass remains one of the most popular types of grass because it grows fast, and has a rich green color. It is particularly effective for overseeding and rapidly building vivid lawns to beat all standards. There are mainly two types of Ryegrass:

Annual Ryegrass: This variety is mostly used in therefore for temporary use especially during the winter to overseeding. It does not last very long because anything bearing the prefix ‘annual’ dies once summer heat arrives.

Perennial Ryegrass: This type is somewhat more wiry than Annual Ryegrass, and provides year-round growth in colder environments. It is generally used in combination with other cool-season types of grass to grow a fast and hard-wearing lawn that will stand the rigors of all four seasons.

Ryegrass boasts a fine texture, hence it is considered a good option for many lawns. It is tolerant of cold and establishes quickly, though it may not do well in hot climates, especially those with long, hot summers.

Planting grass in a transition zone is tricky. Cool and warm-season grasses might work - but it isn't as simple as merely selecting the right type of grass. There are a few other important factors that can make or break your lawn's success.

1. Soil Temperature

Grass seed needs to be under the right conditions to germinate, and probably one of the most critical factors is soil temperature.

Cool-season grasses are best at this range; 50°F to 65°F soil temperatures are where they thrive in the spring and fall, making for ideal seasons for growth. Warm-season grass sprouts with a higher temperature than 65°F-70°F.

Before you plant, take a moment to check the soil temperature in your area. If it's too cold or too hot for the type of grass you want, it could delay germination or cause poor establishment. A soil thermometer is an inexpensive tool to help you track this.

2. Moisture

It is understandable why grass seeds need moisture in order to germinate and become established. Another requirement of seed planting is right amount of water; no amount of heat, cold, light, or darkness, fertilizer, or correct season will make seeds germinate.

Grass seeds require water regularly; in the first one to two weeks they are sowing, germinating and putting down roots. Dry soil will not only delay germination process but will altogether stop the growth of seeds.

It is important for the soil to always be moist, not water-logged, especially at this stage. The soil can easily stay wet from rain or even by being watered a little bit at a time. the seeds can drown if its taken to the extreme but it should not be allowed to dry up either.

3. Local Climate

In planting grass, it cannot be stressed enough that possibly the most critical factor that you have the control over is the climate in your area. Sometimes, picking the right kind of grass is dictated by where you are and at what time of the year it is appropriate to plant.

For instance, Winter and Early spring grow cool-season grasses like Kentucky Bluegrass and Ryegrass to offer good quality lawns during cold winter and mild summer.

There are warm season grasses which are selections of Bermuda or Zoysia that most thrive where there are hot climates during summer.

In case you experience snowing winters and boiling summers as experienced in the Midwest or Northeast, you may require a mixture of the cool-season and warm-season types of grasses to ensure that your lawn is green the whole year round.

4. Daylight Hours

Grass growth isn't all about temperature; it's also about sunlight. For photosynthesis, grass requires ample light to grow healthy and strong.

Time of Planting: Plant at a time of the year when the days are long enough to provide ample sunlight to the grass.

Plant early morning or late afternoon to avoid the intense midday sun. The midday sun can be hot, especially in summer, and will stress the grass when it is trying to get established. Cooler morning and evening sun will protect young seeds as they get their start.