Tips for Planting Grass Seed in Fall

Grass can be planted anytime during the growing season, but you can benefit from fall’s cooler temperatures. Grass is popular amongst lawn owners and isn’t very difficult to grow. However, timing and techniques matter. Since the fall season is coming, here are a few tips on successfully planting grass during this season.

The Best Time for Grass Seeding

The right time for grass seeding depends on where you live and the kind of grass you’re working with. Cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass or tall fescue prefer the cooler temperatures of fall. Spring and early summer are more favorable for planting warm-season grasses such as Bermudagrass and centipede grass. If you decide to plant in the fall, it should be done 45 days before the expected first frost date at a minimum!

The truth is that grass can be planted during both seasons. If you live in the North, it’s better to start in the fall, while spring is better in the South. However, fall is the perfect time for overseeding Southern lawns with cool-season grass. It will help them stay green when winter comes. So, definitely consider fall seeding!

Choosing Seeds and Preparing

Choose a seed mix ideal for the climate and conditions. You need to make sure the seeds are resistant to factors like drought or lots of people walking over them. There are mixes combined for specific problem situations. A popular one might include Kentucky bluegrass if you want thick grass that’s nice to lay on, or you could choose perennial ryegrass to hold up under tons of feet walking over it.

You also need to get the soil ready for planting. This is particularly important if you live in an area where there’s a lot of clay in the soil. Loosen compacted soil with a tiller, or add some compost if the soil quality isn’t the best.

Planting and Watering

Once you prepare the soil, it’s time to spread out the seeds. If you work with small batches, you can do it by hand, but for larger areas, you’ll need a drop spreader. After that, use a garden rake to lightly work the seed 1/4-inch into the soil. If you want to do a big area like a lawn, rent or invest in a lawn roller for better seed-to-soil contact. Then, mulch the soil with straw or a biodegradable seed starter made from paper, an adhesive, and fertilizer for seed germination.

Despite using mulch to help the soil retain moisture, you’ll still need to water it. Keep the seeds moist but never soggy. A mulched area needs to be watered each morning, and an unmulched one needs light watering two to three times every day.