Best Time To Plant Grass Seed Depends On Your Climate
Wanting a green lawn and getting one are quite often two different things. For those who don’t want to go the sod route or those who simply cannot afford it, planting a lush lawn from seed is quite possible. The key to making it work is knowing the best time to plant grass seed and understanding what kinds of seed will produce the results you’re looking for.
There are a number of pros and cons to seeding over sodding, but keep in mind that seeding is almost always less expensive and can produce some great results.
The pros of seeding include:
* The cost savings. Sodding can be expensive. This is especially so if specialty grass is chosen and you need to hire someone to do the work for you. Labor expenses can be a killer.
* Seeds typically offer a greater variety. Plus, there’s the possibility of buying mixes or creating your own mixes to get just the right color and texture to suit your desires.
* A lawn that’s grown from seed will likely be more durable than one created from sod. Sodding doesn’t allow the gradual and deep root build up that seeding provides.
The cons of seeding can include:
* Seeding typically involves a lot more work. Although this is listed in the cons, it can be a pro for those who enjoy gardening and watching the fruits of their labor take root.
* Successful seeding should be limited to times just before the prime growing season for grass in your climate. It is not a good idea to seed during periods of extreme weather conditions – either too hot or too cold.
* Time. It’s a simple fact sodding offers instant results and seeding takes time.
* Watering. Seeds will require daily watering for as much as four weeks. Sodding, too, though requires daily watering for a while.
You’ll also want to find seeds that suit the climate within which you live. For those in the warmer climes, some of the most typical grasses include bahia, Bermuda, carpet grass, St. Augustine and zoysia. These grasses require hot summers and mild winters to grow properly. They will typically grow during the summer and go dormant in the fall and winter. Some forms of these grasses are drought tolerant and others are not. If water shortages are a problem in your area, check for what type of grass is the best.
Grasses for colder climates include bluegrass, rye, tall fescue and bent. They tend to do very well in areas where temperatures go below freezing in the winter months. Their growth pattern involves dormant summers and growth during the fall and spring. They thrive best for growth in areas where temperatures stay in the 60s and 70s during growth season. Lawns of these types of grass tend to have long blades that are fine to the touch.
No matter where you live, having a lush lawn is a possibility from seed if it’s chosen wisely.
Jessica Deets researches information to help people. There is more news and information about artificial lawns at http://www.artificialgrassinfo.com
When is the best time to plant sod in Austin, Texas?
seed?
•When is the best time of year to plant fescue seed in Austin, TX?
In the north east you can plant seed as late as October 25th and get them to grow. They will grow very short when they germinate and then go dormant. The roots will then shoot downwards further because winter is approaching. This leads to healthier roots. They’d germinate between about Oct 25th and November 15th. After that you can forget it until spring. It requires water and fertilizer to give them a chance. While you can plant in late October, I don’t recommend it because you have very little time. I know it’s possible because I did it once and it worked, but I was freezing and the plants were puny. Still it worked and it turned into more of lawn next spring. What’s far better is to start at the beginning of October if you are late. And September is an even better month as they will grow faster and better. August is too hot.
To clarify, the roots don’t grow better because they are planted late. They tend to grow downwards more simply because cold weather is coming. But the point is that even if you end up with little grass stubs a 1/4 inch high, those little plants will grow nice healthy grass next spring. If you want to see your grass better before it gets cold, start earlier. Early to mid September is better. But I just got done planting this year on October 2nd. I’m not worried as they’ll most likely for sure come up. Also all the grass professionals around here plant between September and late October.
One last tip. If you’re in the north east, don’t plant grass past October 15th unless you just got trapped because you just redid your whole lawn and were running late. If you’re running late, they’ll likely come up. But if you are past the 15-20th, I’d say wait until spring.
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