Whether starting from scratch with a brand new lawn or filling in patches in your lawn that maybe haven’t fared so well, a few tips on how to plant grass seeds can help to get it done right the first time.
Types of Grass Seed
The first step to take when planting grass is to pick the type of seed to plant. There are two classifications of grass seed: cool season grass and warm season grass. Northern states may do best with cool season grasses, which tolerate harsh winter conditions, but will discontinue growth if ground temperatures reach 85°. In contrast, warm season grasses respond to summer weather by growing quickly but cannot survive cold, winter weather. The type of grass chosen should correspond with the region and season where it will be planted. If you are eager to know the best tips and advice on how to plant grass seeds, keep reading….
Choosing the Ideal Grass Mix
Once the type of grass is chosen, the next step to planting grass is to choose the grass mix. In both cool season and warm season grasses, there are several sub-categories that will determine the type of lawn will develop. Kentucky bluegrass, fescue and bentgrass are in the cool season classification, while Bermuda and zoysia are warm season choices. Keep in mind to buy seed with the current calendar year date shown; past year’s seed may not germinate as well. Scroll down to see the ideal grass mixes that we strongly recommend.
Steps on How to Plant Grass Seeds
The area where you are planting grass should be well prepared before laying the seed. The following steps are those that should be taken after choosing the seed that is right for your region and lawn:
- Till the soil to about a 4” depth.
- Rake and remove any stones, twigs and other debris; level soil.
- Fertilize with a lawn fertilizer
- Water thoroughly.
Once these steps have been taken, planting grass seed can be done. A grass spreader should be used; a piece of equipment that can be either purchased or rented. Read the directions on the bag of seed, and sow the seed at the rate the manufacturer recommends. After sowing, rake the soil lightly to just cover the seed, and tamp in slightly. If birds are common in your area, spreading a light layer of straw over the seeded soil will prevent them from scavenging the seed. Water the seeded area again using a gentle spray while being sure to water deeply.
Watering thoroughly every day after planting grass seed will help the seed to germinate. Depending on the type of grass and the weather conditions at the time of planting, seeds should begin to grow with all areas seeing sprouts within three weeks. Once the lawn has achieved a grass height of 2 ½ inches, mowing may begin.
If you are wanting to know how to plant grass seeds, either for a first time lawn or to cover bare areas in an existing lawn, will be a successful endeavor if just these few tips are followed.
What is the Best Grass Seeds (Our Top Picks):
| Product | Description | Buy |
|---|---|---|
Top  | • #1 Grass Seed Combination • Quality Mulch (6x Water Absorbance) • Slow Release Fertilizer • Includes a trackifier • protectant to help keep seedlings safe | Check Price on Amazon |
  | • Our 2nd Choice for grass blends • Improved disease resistance • Improved drought resistance • Grows well in clay or sandy soils • 50 percent black magic turf tall fescue • 25 percent tombstone turf tall fescue • 25 percent taos turf tall fescue | Check Price on Amazon |
  | • Continuously self-repairs to withstand wear and tear • Designed for full sun and light shade • Medium drought resistance • Absorbs more water • Contains essential nutrients | Check Price on Amazon |
  | • 100% superior grass seed • 3,500 square foot coverage • Fast grow grass seed mix • Provides a hardy turf quickly in sun and shade • Contains naturally insect resistant grass | Check Price on Amazon |
  | • Perfect lawn starting in only 14 days • Saves you work by crowding out weeds • So hardy, it even stays green through foot traffic • Suitable for extremely cold temperatures | Check Price on Amazon |
Frequently asked questions I get about planting grass:
Q) How to plant grass seeds on existing lawn?
A) You can definitely plant new grass on your existing lawn by “overseeding” over an existing lawn. The ideal time for “overseeding” your existing lawn would be ideally anywhere between mid August and mid October. This period of the year is usually ideal since your soil is warm, which helps seed germination, while the temperature above the soil is cool with some rainfall which is great for optimal grass growth.
If you missed the ideal time for overseeding, there is another good time to “overseed” which is in early spring, anywhere from the 2nd week of March to the 2nd week of May.
The best soil for overseeding would be anywhere from neutral pH soil to slightly acidic soil (Anywhere between 6.2 to 7.0 pH).
If you have a small lawn, you can distribute your grass seeds by hand by throwing them evenly accross your lawn and take caution to never throw a lot of seeds in one small area as that could cause to many seeds to germinate and compete for nutrition. Causing some of them to thin out and die.
Q) What is the best time of the year to plant grass?
The best time to plant grass depends on the type of grass seed you are planting, and most importantly the weather conditions of where you live. The best time of the year would be when it is warm enough inside the soil, and moist enough for those seeds to germinate. Many professionals recommend Fall to be the ideal grass planting season since that period has warm soil, average day temperatures and cool evenings.
Q) Is grass a plant?
Definitely! Grass makes up the world’s biggest food source and is a monocotyledon plant/herbaceous plant.
Q) When is the ideal day for planting grass in fall?
The ideal for grass planting in Fall is right around Labor Day (First 2 weeks of September). This will give the new seedlings time to get germinate before winter, and avoid hot summer temperatures.
Q) When is the ideal day for planting grass in spring?
As we mentioned above, spring is also a good time for planting grass. Try to plant your glass seeds right at the beginning of the spring season (By the of March). It is advisable to wait until the daytime temperatures are in the range 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. (15.5 – 23.8 degrees Celsius)
Q) Can I start planting grass seed in winter?
You definitely can, but keep in mind that grass needs heat in order to germinate. While you can start planting your seeds in winter, the seed will remain dormant until the soil starts to warm up in early spring.