Best Time to Sow Grass Seed
When is the best time to sow grass seed? At Jonathan Green, we recommend planting cool-season grass seed from August to October.
Jonathan Green has been working for more than 100 years to bring beautiful dark-green lawns to our clients using only the highest quality materials. We supply grass seed, soil enhancers, fertilizer, and organic lawn and garden products to professional customers, such as sod growers and independent garden supply retailers, from coast to coast throughout the United States.
Best Time to Plant
Many people think spring is the best season for planting, but this is not the case with grass. Fall is actually the ideal time to seed a variety of plants, including grass. Cooler weather means seedlings are less affected by heat, while the soil is still warm enough for optimal root development. Other factors, such as more time to develop and less competition, make fall the perfect time of year to seed your lawn.
While soil and moisture are vital, it isn’t easy to promote healthy germination without the right amount of sunlight. Fall provides the optimum amount of light for your lawn, thanks to Earth’s position at that time of year. The less intense sunshine also helps avoid the threat of excessive dryness your lawn and soil face during the late spring and hotter summer months.
Seeding in fall will give your seedlings over half a year to grow and develop a rich, deep root system before reaching their full glory in spring. This way, the grass plants are well established before the summer heat returns next year. Make sure to plant your seeds at least 45 days before the first fall frost.
Prepare Your Soil
Before you plant your grass seed mixture, make sure that you also have the following Jonathan Green products on hand:
- MAG-I-CAL® Soil Food – Test your soil to ensure the pH is between 6.2 and 7.0. If it’s not, MAG-I-CAL® can be used immediately before seeding (and continuously until you improve the pH level adequately) to help the lawn grow greener and healthier. MAG-I-CAL® comes in two custom formulas – one for acidic soil and one for alkaline soil.
- Love Your Soil® – If your soil is very hard or compacted, Love Your Soil® will loosen it. It will also feed the soil microbes, making the soil more alive and porous. With more porous soil, air, water and roots can move more easily from the surface deep-down through the soil.
- Veri-Green Starter Fertilizer for Seeding & Sodding – This high phosphorus formula is specially formulated for seeding and sodding. It helps to build a vigorous root system and gets new grass plantings off to a fast start for a thicker, greener lawn.
Once your new grass has grown at least three inches, it is ready to be mowed. We call this giving the grass a haircut; it invigorates the young grass and causes the root system to grow deep.
Mentioned Products
If you are looking for more advice about the best time to sow grass seed, Jonathan Green has the answers you need. Visit our online store, or find an independent retailer in your area for reliable lawn and garden advice.