There is nothing like seeing a home surrounded by vibrant, green grass, but planting grass is not as easy and artless as simply laying down some seeds. It is imperative that you do your research on proper grass planting techniques and timing, and it all starts with choosing the best time to plant.
So when is the best time to seed your lawn? The answer is either before or after the summer season.
Why Not Summer?
Why don’t you want to plant new grass in the summer? You might think with the warm conditions and ample sun, this would be the perfect time to plant. However, most parts of the country get more than just extra sunlight – there is also excess heat and dry conditions at play. That means that once you plant your seed, keeping the new grass sufficiently hydrated is almost impossible without constant watering. All that watering takes time, not to mention extra money and resources, as This Old House notes.
The other negative aspect of planting during the summer is that while you are completing your seeding prep work, you open yourself up to the possibility of weeds. Most weeds thrive in the summer sun and heat, and if they’re working to establish a foothold at the same time as your new seed, there’s a good chance that the weeds could get the upper hand. With all this and more, it is just too much of a struggle to try planting during the summer season.
Planting Before or After Summer
If the answer isn’t summer, then you’ll want to plant new seed before or after the warmest month, but which is best really depends on where you live. If you live in the northern part of America, the common advice is to plant your seeds early in the fall season. The moderate temperatures that lead into the fall and early winter area allow for less watering, which both limits the weed populations and allows the grass to grow thick and full before falling dormant in winter.
For those in the southern states, the recommendation skews the other way, with most experts suggesting that the late spring is best. This time falls after some of the spring rains and allows grass to start establishing a foothold before the heat and sun of summer arrives.
If you are unsure which season is best for growth in your particular state, check out this handy chart of the U.S. grass planting climates from the USDA. You should also account for the type of grass you’ll be planting. For instance, if you’re choosing a warm-weather grass species, but planting in a northern climate, plant the grass in the spring instead so that it can take advantage of the summer months to thrive and establish a root system.
Grass planting is just one of the many planting projects you should plan for this spring. At Cold Stream Farm, we carry several types of landscaping grasses, as well as a wide range of other plants, including shrubs, ferns, trees and more – everything you need for your home or business landscaping. Shop our full inventory online now, or call us today at 231-464-5809 to learn more.
