The Difference Between Spring Seeding and Fall Seeding
We’ve partnered with a local lawn care provider, Tee Time Lawn Care, to provide you with some great tips and answer common questions on growing a greener lawn!
First up: when should you be laying grass seed? In the spring or in the fall?
Seeding your lawn is a salient way to get that lush, healthy, green grass you want. However, as many know, the mid-summer heat can keep new seedlings from sprouting.
So the question is, when is the best time to seed your lawn… in the fall or spring?
Spring Seeding vs. Fall Seeding
If you’re a typical homeowner, you may think that the best time to seed your lawn is in the spring, especially since spring can produce weeks of rain and mild temperatures. Although, what many don’t count on is that the potentially high temperatures can become harsh on tender, new grass, making it challenging to keep seedlings alive.
Here are other springtime lawn practices that you might find counterproductive:
Applying pre-emergent weed killer to your lawn during the spring sounds like a good idea, which may keep weeds from invading your lawn. Although, what you may not know is that weed killer can also keep your new grass seeds from germinating, too.
When seeding your lawn in the spring, it should be done after the second cut to allow the seeds to settle on the soil’s surface. Although, by the time you seed your lawn in the spring, you may be dealing with nasty weeds already.
Seeding in heavily shaded areas may sound like the best environment to generate a healthy lawn, as shaded areas don’t often require the need of applying a pre-emergent. Although, heavily shaded lawn areas often lack the sunlight that new seedlings need.
Considering the many springtime lawn care obstacles homeowners deal with, it may make more sense to consider fall as the best time for seeding.
Why Is Seeding in the Fall Better?
When is the BEST time to seed your lawn?
This depends on your climate. However, in most areas, the best time to lay grass seed is in late August through mid-October.
Getting straight to the point… Fall weather is perfect for new seedling growth. Not only is your lawn’s soil warm from the summer months, but it’s also likely to be moist for early germination before the colder temperatures roll in.
Seeding in ideal environments will give your lawn the potential to develop a strong root system in the spring and before the summer temperatures set in.
If you’re wondering exactly when to plant the grass seedlings this fall, the answer depends more on the weather conditions than a specific time of year.
In most regions, late August through mid-October is usually the ideal time for fall seeding.
Watering New Grass Seed in the Fall
Of course, laying grass seed in the fall is only half the battle. You must also worry about keeping it well fed and watered so it properly germinates.
It’s best to water your new seed every day until it has germinated. We recommend watering twice per day (once in the morning and then again later in the day) for about 5-10 minutes each time.
Keep in mind, though, that watering times will differ based on differences in soil types, rainfall, and other environmental factors.
Consistent, even water coverage is key, which is why we recommend automatic sprinklers for the job. However, if you’re hand watering be sure you take shade coverage into account.
After the seed has germinated, you can take your watering down to once per day depending on how fast it grows and how much rain falls in the area. After another week or so passes, you’re likely safe to return to a normal watering schedule of every other day.
Certain types of grass seed need more water than others, so be sure to follow the instructions on your seed package for how long you should keep watering it each day.
Struggling to Grow Your Lawn? Planning to seed? Consider an Automatic Sprinkler System.
Automatic sprinkler systems make the process of watering new seed regularly and evenly a breeze! With a professional irrigation company, you’ll have a watering schedule that’s programmed exactly to the needs of your lawn, climate, and soil type, meaning you won’t run the risk of overwatering your new lawn and ruining it before it’s even begun.
We’ve written extensively about the average cost to install a sprinkler system, but if you’re looking for an accurate number for your lawn we also offer free project estimates. Click the button below to get started.