When to Plant Grass Seed in Ohio
Many people enjoy spring planting, but, when it comes to grass seed, when is the best time to plant in Ohio? The experts at Jonathan Green have the answer you need and can help you achieve the lush, green, healthy lawn you’ve always wanted.
Jonathan Green has been growing beautiful lawns for six generations. We supply genetically superior cool season grass seed, soil enhancers, fertilizer, and organic lawn and garden products to professional customers, such as sod growers and independent retailers, throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Midwestern United States.
Best Time for Planting Grass in Ohio
Late summer/early fall is the ideal time to plant cool season grass seed in Ohio (from mid-August to early October) in order to create a thicker, denser lawn.
Both air and soil temperatures play an important role in planting and influence seed germination. Ideally, soil temperatures should range from 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit and the air temperatures from 60 to 75 degrees.
Warm soil temperatures and consistent rainfall in the early fall encourage faster seed germination and deeper roots that will help the grass plants get established before winter sets in. If you plant too soon (during the summer heat), seedling growth will be slower and weeds will try to take over, crowding out your new grass.
Ready, Set, Plant!
The best window of opportunity for starting your new lawn is short, so be sure you have the following Jonathan Green products on hand before you begin:
- Black Beauty® Original Grass Seed – This Jonathan Green grass seed blend is grown by sod growers across the USA. It grows roots up to 4′ deep and produces a naturally darker-green turf with better disease resistance and drought tolerance. A waxy leaf coating helps preserve moisture and wards off stress from heat, cold, wind and disease. This blend grows well in clay or sandy soils and in full sun or partial shade.
- MAG-I-CAL® Soil Food – Test your soil to ensure the pH is between 6.2 and 7. If it’s not, MAG-I-CAL® will help to rapidly raise the soil’s pH and, at the same time, help the lawn grow greener and healthier. MAG-I-CAL® can be applied the same day as the grass seed.
- Love Your Soil® – If your soil is very hard or compacted, Love Your Soil® will loosen and aerate it. It will also feed the soil microbes, making the lawn soil more alive and porous, and enhancing root and root mass development. Love Your Soil® can be applied the same day as the grass seed and works best when the soil temperature is at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
- 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.
Mentioned Products
When seeding your lawn, seed-to-soil contact is the key to achieving maximum germination. Once your soil has been prepared, apply the Black Beauty grass seed with a spreader. Lastly, keep the seed bed moist for a few weeks while the grass seed germinates.
For additional information about when to plant grass seed in Ohio or how to grow a perfect new lawn from scratch, visit Jonathan Green online or ask your nearest retail store for expert lawn and garden advice.