When is the Best Time to Plant Cool Season Grass Seed? Author Virginia Green Category Lawn Care Estimated Reading Time 6 Minutes

Planting new seed on your lawn is an important step in your yard's overall health and visual appeal. In this article we cover when is best to grow a cool season lawn, how to prepare for aeration and seeding and what to do after. By using this information, you can rest assured your lawn will look great today and, in the months, to come!

Topics Index

• When is the best time to plant grass seed?
• How Should I Plant Cool Season Grass Seed?
• How to Protect Your New Grass in the Off-Season
• The FAQ if you’re not sure what to do – let us help you
• Final Thoughts

When is the best time to plant grass seed?

The best time to plant grass seed depends on the type of grass. For cool season grasses, such as Tall Fescue, the best time to plant is from the last week of August through the first week of November.

Lower temperatures in late summer and early fall create an ideal environment for seeds to not only germinate, but flourish. These cooler months reduce the stress on new seedlings, allowing them to establish a robust root system without the pressure of extreme heat and disease. Finally, the soil retains moisture more efficiently, ensuring your newly planted seeds receive the hydration they need to grow strong and healthy.

How Should I Plant Cool Season Grass Seed?

When planting new cool season grass seed, you’ll want to start by aerating your lawn. Aeration is the cultural practice of removing plugs from the lawn. Aeration relieves compaction, improves water filtration, improves oxygen intake in the root zone and creates an ideal seed bed. Consider the act of aerating your lawn the same as using a key to unlock a new door to your lawns future success.

By aerating and seeding in the fall you are optimizing your lawn's ability to grow. Cooler temperatures reduce stress on new grass seed, helping it germinate and develop stronger roots. Another benefit of cool season seeding is that fall offers ideal soil moisture, ensuring that your new seed receive proper hydration. It’s important to watch for waterlogged lawns after storms or extended periods of rain, as that could lead to root rot and other damage.

When you aerate and seed with Virginia Green we always leave you with a 5lb bag of our finest seed mixture.

How to Protect Your Grass in the Off-Season

There are a number of ways to protect your cool season grass both before and after aeration. As you may already be aware, watering your grass is key to its health and visual appeal. Once aeration and seeding are complete, you should begin watering immediately and continue to water regularly. Light and frequent watering is best for seedlings. You can lower your watering once new grass seed has reached two inches in height.

While it may be tempting to remove them, always leave the clumps left behind by the aerator alone. These clumps and holes act as seed beds and will naturally dissolve into the soil. Another key to grass growing success is patience. Do not cut your lawn until new grass seedlings have reached 4.5 inches in height. Another important note is not to apply weed control on growing weeds. If proper year-round care was used, weeds have already been treated and will be taken care of once again in the spring.

The FAQ if you’re not sure what to do – let us help you

A professional lawn care company like Virginia Green understands the importance of preparing the soil properly to ensure optimal conditions for the cool season grass seeds to germinate. Rather than seeding your lawn by hand, professional lawn care companies use specialized, commercial-grade equipment such as Stinger aerators to loosen up the soil and prepare your lawn for seeding.

DIY aeration and seeding can be just as costly as hiring a professional team or even more costly in some cases. By letting our professional lawn care team at Virginia Green handle your aeration and seeding, you can rest assured that years of experience and resources go into making your lawn look and grow the best.

Final Thoughts

Your lawn is an important part of your home, and the right approach to seeding grass can make all the difference in how it looks and feels. Having a beautiful and healthy lawn requires time, effort, and know-how. You can certainly try DIY, but investing in a professional lawn care service will allow you to spend more of your time enjoying your lawn rather than working on your lawn.