When To Plant Grass Seed
| State | Best Time To Plant | Best Type of Grass | USNA/USDA Zone |
| Iowa | Early Fall & Early Spring | Kentucky Bluegrass | C,H/4b-5 |
| Kansas | Early Fall & Early Spring | Tall or Fine Fescue | C,A & Tr/5b-6 |
| Kentucky | Early Fall & Early Spring/Summer | Kentucky Bluegrass, Tall Fescue/Bermuda | C,H; W,H & Tr/6 |
| Louisiana | Spring - Summer | Centipede grass, Bermuda | W,H & Tr/8-9 |
When is the best time of year to plant grass in KC?
You can plant new grass in the spring or fall, but the fall is the time of year we recommend because the cooler weather is easier on the new grass plants and keeping the new plants moist is less challenging as well. TIPS: September is the best month to plant grass in KC. Related Read: Fall Seeding Tips for Kansas City Homeowners.
When is the best time to plant grass seed?
At Jonathan Green, we recommend planting cool season grass from March to mid-June or from August to October. Jonathan Green has been specializing in beautiful lawns since 1881. Six generations of the family have worked to perfect our genetically superior grass seed and our family of lawn and soil care products.
Where can I get help planting grass seed in Kansas?
For more tips and tricks on when to plant grass seed in Kansas, visit us online or get in touch with your nearest independent retail store for valuable lawn and garden advice.
What is the best grass to plant in Kansas?
Grasses used in Kansas consist of cool-season grasses (Tall Fescue, Fine Fescues, Bluegrasses) are the norm throughout Kansas with the exception of the southern and western parts of the state where Bermuda, zoysia and some native grasses such as Buffalo grass are common.
When can I plant grass seed in spring in Kansas?
The best time to seed in the spring is mid-March through early April. Like fall seeding, the soil must first be prepared. The recommended method is verticutting. A verticut slices grooves in the soil that allows for the necessary seed and soil contact for germination.
Can I plant grass seed now in Kansas?
The best window for seeding a Kansas City lawn Although September is the best time to seed, often conditions are right for planting grass seed up to October 15 with good results. The problem with late-season seeding is that Mother Nature sometimes works against ensuring the production of a new stand of grass by winter.
What's the earliest you can plant grass seed in the spring?
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. Spring sunshine and rain both contribute to strong grass growth.
Is April too early to plant grass seed?
As with cool-season grasses, best warm-season planting times vary by location. In California, mid-April to mid-May is prime time for seeding warm-season lawns. In central and southern Arkansas, lawn owners plan their warm-season grass seeding for late May through June.
Can I just throw grass seed down?
Will grass seed grow if I just throw it down? Probably not. Some seeds on the soil's surface will sprout, but the germination rate will diminish, and you will not be left with ideal results.
What is the best grass to grow in Kansas?
Not surprisingly, three of the best grasses to grow in southern Kansas are warm-season grasses: Bermuda, buffalograss, and zoysia, and the other is a cool-season grass: tall fescue.
Can I plant grass seed in February?
Dormant seeding is best completed between November and February. Grass seeds are inactive and will remain that way until the ground warms later this spring. However, recent research has shown that grass seeds sown in February germinate faster than seeds planted in other dormant months.
Should you wet soil before planting grass seed?
The final step of site preparation for planting grass seed is to water the area well. Putting seed down on damp soil encourages speedy germination and provides immediate moisture to emerging roots. Wetting the area before planting is an important step in the process.
How do I prepare my lawn for seeding?
Remove all debris and any wood, stones or large roots. Use a spade and garden rake to scratch the soil 1 to 2 inches at the surface, then dig about 6 inches deep to remove roots and rocks. Add seeding soil to the top of your existing soil and smooth with the rake.
What temperature is too cold for grass seed?
50°FIf you're wondering how cold is too cold for grass seed germination use our rule of thumb and check the weather reports. If the daytime temperature is below 60°F then soil temperature is below 50°F, making it too cold; if there is frost or still a danger of frost, then it's too cold.
Should I put topsoil over grass seed?
You can add a thin layer of organic matter to help the seed to germinate, but do not cover it over with top soil. 'Never put topsoil over newly planted grass seed,' says Yamaguchi. 'This won't provide healthy growing conditions – it will actually prevent the seedlings from sprouting by essentially suffocating them. '
What happens if I 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.
What is the best mix of fescue and bluegrass for Kansas City?
We recommend a 50/50 mix of fescue and Bluegrass for Kansas City lawns. If your lawn is already established, you only need to overseed with fescue as Bluegrass spreads more quickly and is usually well established. If you are starting a new lawn, we suggest a 50/50 mix, which, by weight, is actually a 90/10 mix (90% Bluegrass and 10% fescue) as Bluegrass seeds are much smaller and lighter than fescue. This combination seems to hold up the best year in and year out.
Do not let new seed dry out?
Do not let your new seed dry out! It will die. Make sure to water enough to keep the soil consistently damp. Light, frequent watering is best. Try this watering schedule:
What kind of grass seed is used in Kansas?
Best Lawn Grass Seeds For Kansas. Grasses used in Kansas consist of cool-season grasses (Tall Fescue, Fine Fescues, Bluegrasses) are the norm throughout Kansas with the exception of the southern and western parts of the state where Bermuda, zoysia and some native grasses such as Buffalo grass are common.
Where is Bermuda grass grown in Kansas?
Bermuda Grass - Bermudagrass is the species most adapted to and most frequently used in the lower elevations of southern Kansas. Many new and improved seeded varieties have been developed and released during the last 10 years.
Is Zoysiagrass slower than Bermudagrass?
However, zoysiagrass still establishes slower than bermudagrass. The newer varieties are very dense and can be grown successfully in the cooler areas of Kansas. Below is the USDA Zone Map for Kansas so you can determine which zone you reside in. Below that are our picks for your state which will do best in your area.
Can fescue be grown in Kansas?
Kentucky bluegrass - The use of Kentucky bluegrass should be limited to the cooler parts of Kansas.
Is Kentucky bluegrass a bunch grass?
Kentucky bluegrass - The use of Kentucky bluegrass should be limited to the cooler parts of Kansas. Unlike perennial ryegrass, which is a bunch type turfgrass, Kentucky bluegrass spreads by rhizomes and withstands moderate traffic. Because of the rhizomes, Kentucky bluegrass recuperates well from wear injury.
Is fescue grass good for Kansas?
Tall fescue - Turf Type - Due to its heat and drought tolerance, it is a good general purpose turfgrass for Kansas. Tall fescue is a tall-growing, coarse- to medium-textured, bunch-type turfgrass that can be established by seed or sod. Tall fescue resists heavy wear and high temperatures.
When to Overseed Your Lawn
There are two times of the year that we recommend for overseeding your lawn.
Products to Use When Overseeding
For best results, you want to do more than simply spread the grass seed out on your lawn. Even the highest quality grass seed can fail to germinate or produce thin, pale grass if the soil conditions are not right.
What does March mean for lawn care?
Ladies and gentlemen, March means it's time to start your engines. The annual lawn care routine is about to begin. With so many products on the market, maintaining a healthy lawn can be confusing. There are four, five and even six step programs, not to mention the various treatments applied by commercial lawn services.
How much water should I use to kill weeds in my lawn?
Remember that a good, thick lawn is the best weed prevention. May. Fertilize with a slow-release fertilizer if you water your lawn on a regular basis during the summer.
How long after spraying weed killer should I water?
Rain or irrigation within 24 hours of application will reduce effectiveness of the sprayed weed killer, but the fertilizer needs to be watered in. Wait 24 hours after the application before watering if the product is a combination of fertilizer and herbicide for best weed control. June through Mid-July.
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.
What are the different climate zones for grass seed?
These four zones are cool/humid, cool arid, warm/humid, and warm/arid. Unfortunately, some states are divided up into several of these zones. Even worse, California and Texas are divided into three different zones.
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.
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 ...
Can you plant seeds in a rain shower?
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.
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 zone is Kansas in?
Knowing your first and last frost dates will help you start your vegetable seeds at the right time. Kansas is in USDA plant hardiness zones 5-7. Learning Download: Growing in Kansas.
How many days between the last frost and the first frost in Kansas?
Kansas on average has approximately 150 days between the last and first frost. Using the planting schedules below will help you get the most out of your garden. Zone 5 Planting Schedule. Zone 6 Planting Schedule. Zone 7 Planting Schedule.
What is the best way to plant by the moon?
Planting by the Moon (also called "Gardening by the Moon") is a traditional way to plant your above- and below-ground crops , especially at the start of the season. Here's how it works: Plant annual flowers and vegetables that bear crops above ground during the light, or waxing, of the Moon.
How to plant by the moon?
Planting by the Moon (also called "Gardening by the Moon") is a traditional way to plant your above- and below-ground crops, especially at the start of the season. Here's how it works: 1 Plant annual flowers and vegetables that bear crops above ground during the light, or waxing, of the Moon. In other words, plant from the day the Moon is new until the day it is full. 2 Plant flowering bulbs, biennial and perennial flowers, and vegetables that bear crops below ground during the dark, or waning, of the Moon. In other words, plant from the day after the Moon is full until the day before it is new again.
Can you plant tomatoes in the fall?
Tender heat-loving plants such as tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants take a long time to mature and have a lengthy harvesting period, so we generally don't plant a second round of these crops for fall, as they won't ripen in time. (In regions with mild winters, this may not be the case.)
Can you plant carrots in the garden?
Most other crops do best when sown directly into the garden soil. Root crops, including carrots, radishes, and beets, are especially well-suited to being started directly in the garden, since they do not like having their roots disturbed after planting.
