When should I plant grass seed in Virginia?
The solution? Plant grass in Virginia in the early fall (between about September 1st and mid-October). Warmer soil temperatures and consistent rainfall at this time of year encourage faster seed germination and deeper roots that will help the grass plants get established before winter sets in.
Can you plant grass seedlings in the spring?
Grass planted in the spring comes up great, but it lacks the root development and food reserves to deal with the high summer temperatures we have every year. It thins out, and many of the young seedlings don’t make it to the fall. There are also two other major problems with spring seeding.
When is the best time to plant Jonathan Green Grass seed?
When you plant genetically superior Jonathan Green grass seed in the early fall in Virginia, you can look forward to a thicker, denser and greener lawn that is easy to maintain and the envy of all your friends. Visit us online or find your nearest retail store.
Why plant Jonathan Green Grass seed in Virginia?
It helps to build a vigorous root system and gets new grass plantings off to a fast start for a thicker, greener lawn. When you plant genetically superior Jonathan Green grass seed in the early fall in Virginia, you can look forward to a thicker, denser and greener lawn that is easy to maintain and the envy of all your friends.
When should I seed my lawn in Virginia?
In Virginia, early fall is the best time to overseed your lawn. Soil temperatures in the fall are still warm, which promotes optimum seed germination, and cooler air temperatures are better for grass growth. Warm-season weeds are also much less active at this time of year.
When can you overseed in Virginia Beach?
Seed or overseed The perfect time to seed would be when temperatures are in the high 50's and into the 60s. Seeding during a warmer summer is not a good idea because the seed will get a chance to take to its surrounding and start the growth process before the intense heat gets a chance to beat down on it.
When should I plant grass seed in spring in Virginia?
Lots of cool-season turfgrasses (fescues, ryegrasses and bluegrasses) will be planted from seed in Virginia lawns this April and May and it is important to understand the challenges you face with these grasses in spring plantings.
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.
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.
What comes first fertilizer or grass seed?
When seeding grass, the order in which you add the fertilizer and seeds doesn't matter, but adding fertilizer at the time you seed a lawn is important. You can combine the fertilizer and seed and broadcast them together, or you can broadcast the seed and fertilizer separately, one immediately following the other.
Can I plant grass seed in March in Virginia?
No, you should not seed your lawn in March, or any other spring month. It's best to only seed during the fall months. Tall fescue is a cool season grass.
Can I put down grass seed in March?
March is too early to plant most grass seeds. Unless you live in a warm region, temperatures will be too low at this time of year. Be sure to wait until daily temperatures average around 80 degrees Fahrenheit to plant grass.
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.
Can you just sprinkle grass seed on 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 temperature can I plant grass seed?
They grow most actively when air temperatures are warm, between 70 and 90 degrees F. In addition, seeds need warmer soil temperatures than cool-season grasses to germinate (ideally between 65 and 70 degrees F).
How do I prepare my lawn for seeding?
How to Seed a New or Existing LawnStep 1: Prepare the Ground. Dig or till the ground to a 3-inch depth. ... Step 2: Add Nutrients. Add compost, topsoil and fertilizer and then work them into the soil.Step 4: Protect the Grass Seed. ... Step 5: Water the Seed. ... Step 6: Mow the New Grass and Control Weeds.
Why Do You Start Seeds Indoors?
Starting seeds indoors (in seed trays or starter pots) gives your crops a head start on the growing season, which is especially important in regions with a short growing season. Starting seeds indoors also provides young, tender plants a chance to grow in a stable, controlled environment.
Which Seeds Should Be Started Indoors?
Not all vegetables should be started indoors! In fact, most are better off being started directly in the garden (aka "direct-sown"). The crops that should be started indoors are those that are particularly susceptible to cold temperatures or that have a very long growing season and need a head start.
How Is Planting for a Fall Harvest Different?
Planting in late summer for a fall harvest has many benefits (soil is already warm, temperatures are cooler, fewer pests). However, the challenge is getting your crops harvested before the winter frosts begin.
When Should You Transplant Seedlings?
When seedlings have grown too large for their seed trays or starter pots, it's time to transplant. If it's not yet warm enough to plant outdoors, transplant the seedlings to larger plastic or peat pots indoors and continue care.
What Is Planting 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:
When to Plant Grass Seed in Virginia
Most lawns in Virginia are comprised of cool season grasses that grow well in cooler weather. When temperatures rise above 87 degrees Fahrenheit, however, as they do every summer, young, tender grass that was planted in the spring lacks the root development and food reserves to deal with the heat.
The Best Products for Your Project
Before you begin preparing for your new lawn, make sure that you have the following Jonathan Green products on hand:
Best Grass Seed for Virginia
Kentucky bluegrass is a perennial grass that is the most popular type of grass seed for lawns. It has an excellent tolerance to drought and cold weather, which makes it one of the best grass seeds for Virginia’s climate. It also has a deep root system, which helps it tolerate dry conditions. The roots also help prevent erosion.
When to Plant Grass Seed in Virginia
Spring is the best time to plant grass in Virginia. The soil is moist, and it’s not too hot or cold.
FAQs
I have a small yard, about 200 square feet. I want something that will not require mowing and that is easy to grow in Virginia. What grass do you recommend?
Cool-season grasses
What are cool-season grasses? Cool-season grasses thrive when temperatures are between 60-75 degrees Fahrenheit and grow between late summer and early winter and early spring to early summer.
Warm-season grasses
Warm-season grasses perform best when the outside temperature is between 80-95 degrees, and the best time to plant them in Virginia is between Mid-may to early June .
How to select the best grass type for your yard
Each of the eight best grass types for Virginia Beach yards has advantages and disadvantages.
When is the best time to plant grass seed?
The answer is, FALL SEEDING. The best chance for grass plants to survive the stress associated with summer is for them to develop as many roots as possible and to be as mature as possible before summer arrives. To accomplish this, fall is the time to plant. Warmer soil temperatures mean faster seed germination.
When is grass seed germination?
During spring, temperature and rainfall is perfect for grass seed germination and growth. However, when temperatures climb in the summer problems begin to occur. To understand what happens, we have to back up and give some background on grass and plants in general.
Why is spring seeding so hard?
Although spring seeding is very common for garden crops and other plants, spring seeding of grass is very difficult due to conditions that are often beyond our control.
What happens to grass plants when they don't have enough energy?
During this time, grass plants tend to stop growing, roots often die back, and then crowns, or tops, of the grass plants thin out.
Why are grasses called cool season grasses?
These grasses are called cool season grasses because they grow well in cooler weather, like we have in the spring and fall. Their optimum temperate for growing and manufacturing food (photosynthesis) is between 68 to 77⁰F. Above 77⁰F, grasses are able to still manufacture food, but at a lower rate.
When do grass roots grow?
They are able to grow roots well into the late fall and early winter. As spring comes, these plants develop more, get thicker, and grow deeper roots.
Does grass kill in the summer?
While this happens every year to cool season turf, it usually doesn’t kill the grass. Older grass plants are well established and have carbohydrate reserves. They suffer through the summer, and then resume growth when fall temperatures arrive. However, the problem is with the spring seeded turf.