Ah, fall — a time for colorful leaves, pumpkins, cider, apples, and the best months to plant grass seed. That’s right. While we often think of spring for seeds and new growth, the best time to plant grass seeds in New York and New Jersey is fall.
Why? A few reasons. Let’s take a look at why fall is the best time to plant warm season grass seed as well as some planting tips to consider.
Why Plant Grass In The Fall?
Early fall is the ideal time to plant grass seed mixtures into an existing lawn in the Northeast. The ground is still warm enough for germination. The days are cool and sometimes rainy, so the seeds are less likely to dry out.
In early fall there’s also enough sunlight for new grass to thrive and become established before winter arrives.
What’s The Best Window For Planting Grass Seed?
Cool-season grasses here in the Northeast grow best when temperatures are between 60 and 80 degrees.
Plan to sow grass seed right around Labor Day for the newly planted grass seed to have two weeks on either side to build strong roots before the winter.
If the weather is cool but not too cold, you can push planting into the first week of October. By the cool days of late October, the newly planted grass seed should be strong enough to survive the winter.
Be aware your new grass will need about a month before the first frost to get established — so keep an eye on the weather forecast.
Why is Fall Better Than Spring For Planting Grass in the Northeast?
Spring is a popular time to plant, but it’s harder to keep grass seeds most in warmer soil and sun.
Spring, with its warm weather, offers an excellent environment for crabgrass and other weed seeds to germinate easily. While spring may seem like an ideal time to plant grass seed due to the favorable conditions, you’re more likely to get weeds to grow than any grass.
Don’t Forget The Fertilizer
Apply a starter fertilizer when you sow the seeds, and then add more fertilizer three to four weeks later. All the watering you do to make the seeds sprout actually leaches the first application of fertilizer out of the top layer of soil, putting the rest beyond the reach of the young roots.
Skip The Straw
You might have seen businesses using the straw to cover their newly seeded lawns. It’s not a good idea. Some straw can contain weeds and unwanted plant seeds that can invade your lawn. Consider putting down a thin layer of soil on top of your seeds instead.
How Much Water Does New Grass Need?
Watering is crucial for seeding success. Make sure the top 1 inch of soil stays moist. You might need to water daily until the grass is established. But fall’s cooler temperatures and heavier dew will help you out.
No Stomping, Please
During its first season, the grass is tender, so avoid as much foot traffic as possible until the next season, when the grass is well established.
When To Mow?
When you seed in the fall, your first mowing might not be until next spring. Once the grass reaches three inches high, mow off one inch.
Mow on a dry day and make sure the mower blade is sharp to avoid damaging the new grass blades.
Leave Your Lawn To Neave
Our commercial landscaping company combines more than 50 years of experience with the highest level of training in the industry.
Neave experts know the benefits of planting grass in the fall.
Our commercial lawn care specialists will inspect your lawn before we perform any seeding. While other companies might just spray seed all over your lawn hoping for the best results, we thoroughly inspect your lawn and prepare it prior to seeding so you can look forward to even, healthy growth. We’ll carefully examine your lawn, replacing top soil if needed.
Let us do the dirty work!
If you’re in the Hudson Valley, call us at (845) 463-0592. If you’re in Westchester County, call (914) 271-7996; from New Jersey, dial (201) 591-4570; from Connecticut, dial (203) 212-4800. Or, fill out our simple web form, and we’ll contact you about setting up your free consultation.