When To Plant Grass Seed
| State | Best Time To Plant | Best Type of Grass | USNA/USDA Zone |
| Alabama | Mid spring - Summer | Bermuda, Zoysia | W, H* & Tr/7-10 |
| Alaska | Late Spring - Summer | Bluegrass, Fescue | Cold/1 |
| Arizona | Spring - Summer | Zoysia | Warm, Arid/7-10 |
| Arkansas | Late Spring - Summer | Bermuda | W,H & Tr/8-9 |
| When To Plant Grass Seed | ||
|---|---|---|
| State | Best Time To Plant | Best Type of Grass |
| Alabama | Mid spring - Summer | Bermuda, Zoysia |
| Alaska | Late Spring - Summer | Bluegrass, Fescue |
| Arizona | Spring - Summer | Zoysia |
When should I plant my Winter lawn in Alabama?
The Alabama Cooperative Extension System advises starting a spring lawn by seed in March. It recommends southern Alabama homeowners use bermuda grass, zoysia grass and centipede grass. Northern Alabama gardeners should choose bluegrass and seed blends. Gardeners in north and south halves of Alabama should plant their winter lawn in September.
What is the best grass seed to plant in Alabama?
The Alabama Cooperative Extension System advises starting a spring lawn by seed in March. It recommends southern Alabama homeowners use bermuda grass, zoysia grass and centipede grass. Northern Alabama gardeners should choose bluegrass and seed blends.
When is the best time to plant grass seed?
Plant in regards to the grass seed and not the area you live in. For example, if you decide to plant warm weather grass in a cooler climate then sow the seeds in the spring when temperatures have risen and not in fall.
When is the best time to overseed your lawn?
If you opt for this consider planting cool weather grass seed in the early fall and then in the early spring overseed your lawn with warm weather grasses. This will give you the coverage for the seasonal changes while exploiting the best characteristics of each grass.
When can you plant grass seed in Alabama?
The best time to plant grass in Alabama is in the spring or fall. This is best because the temperature is not too hot or too cold, and the rainfall is typically adequate. Avoid planting grass in the summer, as the heat will often inhibit growth and lead to browning.
What is the best grass seed for Alabama?
Bermudagrass is prized for its exceptional heat and drought tolerance which makes it well suited to the Alabama climate. Due to its fast growth habit, Bermudagrass also has a high well tolerance and is suitable for frequented lawns, soccer-fields, and gold courses alike.
How early can I plant grass seed in the spring?
Spring seeding is your second best option for planting cool-season grasses. Aim to seed early in the season, but wait until daytime temperatures are in the 60 to 75 degree Fahrenheit range. This roughly corresponds to the optimal soil temperatures for cool-season grass seed germination.
What month is the best month to plant grass seed?
Planting in late spring and early summer gives warm-season grasses the advantage of warm soil and early seasonal rains, which help keep soil moisture available during germination and establishment. Moderate spring weather helps spring-planted grass seed flourish.
What grass stays green all year in Alabama?
Tall Fescue The Fescue Grass will stay green throughout the majority of the calendar year and will need very little maintenance when it comes to fertilizing.
Will grass seed germinate on top of soil?
Grass seed spread on top of the soil will still attempt to grow, but you will get poor results compared to grass seed that has been covered with 1/4 inch of soil. Uncovered seed is prone to drying out, being eaten by birds, or carried away by water runoff.
Is March too early to plant grass seed?
Is March too early to plant grass seed? In nearly all regions, March is too early to plant grass seed. Temperature is a better barometer; wait until days average about 80 degrees before planting grass seed for summer. March is too late to sow cool-season grasses.
Can I just throw grass seed down on existing lawn?
Can you just sprinkle grass seed on top of your existing lawn? While it's possible to simply sow the new grass seed over your existing lawn, taking the time to prepare your lawn beforehand will increase the likelihood of seed germination and improve your end result.
What happens if you plant grass seed too early?
Grass seed needs the correct soil and air temperature, as well as moisture content, to sprout. Planting it too early in the spring can result in less-than-ideal germination, because the seeds can die off or become unproductive.
Is April too early to plant grass seed?
If you have your heart set on planting grass in spring, early April is, in fact, the best time to do it. But, depending on where you live, spring seeding could come with complications.
Can you use too much grass seed?
Ignoring recommended seeding rates Don't overdo or cut corners. Too much grass seed causes undue competition for resources such as light, water and nutrients, and grass seedlings struggle as a result.
How do I seed my lawn in the spring?
How to Plant Grass Seed in SpringMow the Lawn Short. Short mow the lawn to a height of 1½ to 2 inches, being careful not to scalp the lawn. ... Rake and Remove Debris. ... Spread your Grass Seed. ... Apply Golf Course Starter or Renovator. ... Cover Bare Spots. ... Water the New Grass Seed. ... Apply Seed Safe. ... Mow the New Grass.More items...
What's the best grass to grow in southern Alabama?
tall fescue and heat-tolerant hybrid bluegrasses are the only cool-season turfgrass that is recommended for home lawns in Alabama; the less heat-tolerant Kentucky bluegrass is not well suited for our environment.
What grass is native to Alabama?
Some of Alabama's NWSGs include eastern gamagrass, broom sedge, switchgrass, big bluestem, little bluestem and Indiangrass. These native grasses provide animals with both food and shelter, which are essential to survival.
What grass grows naturally in Alabama?
Of the many native warm season grasses, switchgrass, big bluestem, indiangrass, and eastern gamagrass show the most potential for Alabama. All are called warm season grasses because of their adaptation to warm day cli- mates, but they differ in their seasonal produc- tion of forage.
Is fescue grass good for Alabama?
Tall fescue is a cool-season, perennial, bunch-type grass for north Alabama lawns. It is desirable for its texture, dark green color, and ability to establish quickly from seed.
Types
Alabama gardeners plant a spring/summer (or "warm season") lawn in early spring or an autumn/winter ("cool season") lawn in autumn. While homeowners all over Alabama can plant either warm-season or cool season lawns, the species of grass that does best varies slightly depending on which region of the state it's growing in.
Warm Season Lawn Planting
The Alabama Cooperative Extension System advises starting a spring lawn by seed in March. It recommends southern Alabama homeowners use bermuda grass, zoysia grass and centipede grass. Northern Alabama gardeners should choose bluegrass and seed blends.
Cool Season Lawn Planting
Gardeners in north and south halves of Alabama should plant their winter lawn in September. Rye grass and fescue make good cool-season grass seed for northern and southern Alabama, according to Outside Pride.
Why use treated seed?
with treated seed, when possible, to protect against insect pests and disease.
Is fescue a perennial in Alabama?
Special Notes: Cool-season perennial best suited to northern Alabama; less tolerant of drought and poor drainage than tall fescue.
Can weeds be used in row crops?
Special Notes: Can be a weed in row crop plantings. Most commonly used as forage in the Black Belt region.
What is the most important thing to consider when planting grass seed?
I have found that the most important factor when planting grass seed is water. So, when you plant seeds be sure to irrigate the grass frequently and make sure you irrigate well. The dirt should remain moist during germination; just make sure that you don't create a lake in your yard as you water.
How many climate zones are there for grass seed?
US Grass Climates. To complicate grass selection further, the United States National Arboretum has divided the US into four different climate zones for turf grass. These four zones and a large transitional zone in the central and eastern part of the country can help make the process of selecting grass seed easier.
How to grow grass in the rain?
While grass can grow at almost any time within the growing season, there are a couple of local weather considerations to make. First, look for any storms that may be coming up. You’ll be more successful if you sow the seeds just prior to a rain shower. However, it you plant the seeds just prior to a down pour or thunderstorm you may literally be washing your seeds down the drain. Some rain will help your seeds germinate. Too much rain will cause the seeds to runoff towards storm drains, especially on virgin or prepared soil. On the other hand, if you plant seeds during a drought it will be very difficult to keep them irrigated enough to help them establish roots. If you have an opportunity to select the time you plant wait until the day before or the day of a rain shower to sow your seeds. Secondly, do not plant during an extreme cold snap or heat wave. These abnormal temperatures will make it difficult for the seeds to germinate.
How to grow grass seed faster?
Stepping on the soil could make it difficult for grass seed to take. Secondly, make sure there is plenty of water during the first few weeks of growing. Finally, to help the grass seed take quicker and grow stronger, faster amend your soil.
What are the two categories of grasses?
In general, there are two categories of grasses, cool weather and warm weather grasses . These two categories can then be divided into types.
Can you grow cool weather grass in warmer climates?
This does not mean that a cool weather grass cannot grow in a warmer climate or vice versa. However, it does mean that if you plant cool weather grass in warmer climates you will have to do extra work to maintain it. This extra work may include reseeding in the fall, especially if the summer is very hot, as the cool weather grass will likely die ...
Is buffalo grass good for irrigated areas?
According the National Arboretum, warmer grasses such as Buffalograss is a good choice for areas that are not irrigated since they are more drought tolerant than cool weather grasses. Similarly, Buffalograss is a popular choice for warm/arid locations because of its drought tolerant characteristics.
What grass is used in Alabama?
In north Alabama, some species of fescue (especially tall fescue) are used for permanent lawns. Creeping bentgrass is used on golf courses for putting greens in the northern half of the state.
What grass is used for putting greens in Alabama?
Creeping bentgrass is used on golf courses for putting greens in the northern half of the state. Ryegrass is used to overseed warm season grasses in the winter. This provides a green color when the wearm season grass is dormant. One grass which is not suitable for use in Alabama is Kentucky bluegrass.
What are the two types of grasses in Alabama?
Grasses used in Alabama can be divided in to two groups: warm season grasses and cool season grasses . As their names imply, warm season grasses are adapted to hot weather and are usually native to tropical or sub-tropical environments. They go dormant in the winter and turn brown.
Is fescue grass good for Alabama?
Turf Type Fescue would be the exception to that in some areas of Northern Alabama. Due to summer heat stress, warm season grasses are the primary grasses planted in Alabama for full sun. For shade, turf type fescue is the best option like our Combat Extreme.