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When to Plant Grass Seed in New York

Seeding
4 min read

If you are planning to plant grass seed in New Jersey, make it easier on yourself by learning when to plant and which products to use. The experts at Jonathan Green have some tips to help you achieve the best results.

Jonathan Green has specialized in beautiful lawns since 1881. Six generations of the family have worked to perfect our genetically superior grass seed and our family of lawn and soil care products. Our products will transform every aspect of your lawn to help it thrive like never before

When to Plant

If you are determined to have a green lawn by summer, you could plant grass seed in New York from early April to mid-May. Even a light frost will not hurt the grass as it starts to establish itself.

A better time to plant grass seed in New York is early fall (mid-August to mid-September). Warmer soil temperatures (between 60° and 70° F) and consistent rainfall at this time of year encourage faster seed germination and deeper roots. This will help the grass plants get established before winter sets in. You will also have less competition from summer weeds, such as crabgrass.

When the soil warms up in mid-to-late spring, the grass plants will develop even deeper roots, grow thicker, and develop food reserves that will prepare them for surviving the summer stress.

How to Plant

The best way to plant grass seed is to begin with the right products and follow these six simple steps from the experts at Jonathan Green:

  1. For a beautiful, dark-green lawn that has outstanding drought tolerance, disease and insect resistance, choose Jonathan Green Black Beauty® grass seed mixtures. With roots that grow up to four feet deep – far deeper than other turf grass varieties – you won’t be disappointed!
  2. Next, check the soil’s pH level. (You can purchase a pH tester from your local garden supply store or at JonathanGreen.com.) If the pH falls below 6.2, use Mag-I-Cal® for Lawns in Acidic Soil to quickly raise the pH to the ideal range of between 6.2 and 7.0. If the pH is above 7.0, use Mag-I-Cal® Plus for Lawns in Alkaline & Hard Soil to quickly lower the pH. MAG-I-CAL® can be applied on the same day you seed.
  3. Once the pH is balanced, the soil should be loosened and aerated to promote root growth and stronger, heartier grass. This can be done with Love Your Soil®, an innovative soil treatment that activates the microbes in the soil and allows for nutrients to be easily absorbed by the grass roots. Love Your Soil® can be applied the same day as the grass seed and the MAG-I-CAL®.
  4. Fertilize before seeding with a starter fertilizer like Jonathan Green Veri-Green Starter Fertilizer for Seeding & Sodding, and lightly rake the surface of the soil. This high-phosphorus formula is specially formulated for seeding and sodding and will get your new grass plantings off to a fast start for a thicker, greener lawn.
  5. Spread the Black Beauty®seed evenly by hand in small areas, and use a lawn spreader for large areas. Lightly rake the seed into the top ¼ inch of the soil. It germinates much better when it is incorporated into the soil instead of just sitting on the surface.
  6. Lastly, keep the seed bed moist for a few weeks while the grass seed germinates by watering it daily. Once the grass has grown to three inches tall, start mowing and water only 2 or three times per week to encourage the new grass to grow deeper roots.

If you would like more information about when to plant grass seed in New York and how to care for it, visit us online at JonathanGreen.com or visit your nearest independent hardware or garden center for expert lawn care advice.

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