Some of us want the easy way to plant instant already grown grass or start planting grass seed. Both of these are good, but it is essential to know when is the best time to develop a healthy lawn; let’s look at when the best time is.
Cool-season grass seed should be planted in late summer and early fall. Warm-season grass seed should be planted in late spring and summer. USA states have four climate zones, cool-humid, cool-arid, warm-humid, and warm-arid. Grass-type and season influence when it should be planted.
A few criteria impact the best time to plant your grass seed, such as climate zones, seasons of the year, and the kind of grass you decide to plant. Another factor is also the forecast for the next few days after planting the seeds.
When Is The Best Time To Plant Grass Seeds?
Before planting grass seed, it is crucial to understand when the best time is to do this. It is dependent on the season, the type of grass-grown, and the state you live in due to climate zones. We will be looking at all of these to decide when the best time to plant in each region is to help you get that beautiful lush green lawn.
The Best Type Of Grass Seed To Plant-Based On Climate
There are two main groups of grass, cool-season and warm-season grass, both impacted by different climates. Cool-season grass grows best in areas with cooler summers and winters which drop below freezing. Warm-season grass loves hot summers and warmer winters, with temperatures above 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cool-season grasses include Kentucky Bluegrass, Fescue, and Rye. Warm-season grasses are Bermuda, Zoysia, and St. Augustines. The different season grasses can grow in the other climates, such as cool-season grass in warmer weather, but you may have to do more work and give it a lot of care to maintain this grass.
If you live in climate zones with two weather seasons, it is best to plant cool-season grass to withstand the different weather extremes better. It may need more care in the warmer months to help it withstand these temperatures. What you can also do is plant both types of grass in your garden, planting the cool season in the fall and then adding the warm-season grass seed over this grass in spring.
The Different Climate Zones In The USA
What makes the selection of grass a little complicated in America is the different climate zones. The United States can be split into four different climate zones: cool-humid, cool-arid, warm-arid, and warm-humid. Some states are separated by two climate zones, whereas Texas and California have three of the climate zones in their states.
Cool-season grasses such as Bluegrass and Fescue grow well in cool-humid climate zones, although in the southern parts of these zones, warm-season grass can survive well. Cool-arid zones support cool-season grasses ensuring they are watered enough. Warm-season grass such as Buffalograss grows well in warm-arid areas with little irrigation due to its drought tolerance.
Warm-humid zones can grow warm-season grasses such as Bermuda; be aware that the northern parts of these zones may become very cold in winter, which will damage Bermuda grass. There is also a transitional zone which is borders these climate zones and fits between them. It can be difficult to grow grass in these areas because no specific type survives well in these areas.
Due to this, you will need to plant both warm-season and cool-season grass; this will ensure you have optimal coverage as the seasons change. You will have to put more work and care into keeping your grass green and healthy.
When To Plant The Grass Seed Based On These Zones?
There is no set rule for each state of when to plant grass seeds, but the climate influences this in these states. The right time to plant cool-season grass seed is usually late summer and early fall; due to the cooler temperatures, your grass seed will have a better chance of flourishing and survival.
As winter comes, the grass seed will go dormant, which is beneficial as it will have enough time to gather the nutrients to grow adequately. Warm-season grass seed should be planted in early spring and throughout summer with temperatures of above 65 degrees Celsius.
This grass seed will flourish with the heat giving it adequate strength to survive the winter months. It is essential to focus on what type of grass seed is best for the state you live in, and then based on the type you choose, decide when the best time to plant it is based on climate zones, as was discussed above. There is usually a map on the back of most grass seed packets giving you an indication of this.
Let us look at the different states, the best time to plant grass seeds, and what grass to grow, based on each area’s climate zones.
| State | When to plant | What grass to plant | Climate zones |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Mid-Spring to Summer | Bermuda, Zoysia | Warm-humid transitional |
| Mississippi | Warm-humid | ||
| New Mexico | Bermuda | Cool-arid, warm-arid, transitional | |
| Alaska | Late-Spring to Summer | Bluegrass, Fescue | Cold |
| Arkansas | Bermuda | Warm-humid transitional | |
| Florida | Bermuda, Zoysia, St. Augustine | ||
| Hawaii | Bermuda, Zoysia | Warm-humid | |
| Arizona | Spring to Summer | Zoysia | Warm-arid |
| Louisiana | Bermuda, Centipede grass | Warm-humid, transitional | |
| California | Early Fall and late Spring or Summer | Fine Fescue or Bermuda, St. Augustine | Cool-humid, cool-arid, warm-arid, transitional |
| Delaware | Kentucky Bluegrass, Fescue, Rye, or Zoysia | Cool-humid, transitional | |
| Georgia | Zoysia, Bermuda, St. Augustine or Fescue | Warm-humid transitional | |
| Colorado | Early Fall and early Spring | Kentucky Bluegrass | Cool-arid |
| Idaho | |||
| North Dakota | |||
| Iowa | Cool-humid | ||
| Maine | |||
| Massachusetts | |||
| Montana | |||
| New York | |||
| New Hampshire | |||
| Rhode Island | |||
| Vermont | |||
| Wisconsin | |||
| Pennsylvania | Cool-humid, transitional | ||
| South Dakota | Cool-humid, cool, warm | ||
| Utah | Cool-arid, warm-arid | ||
| Wyoming | |||
| Illinois | Kentucky Bluegrass, Fescue, Rye | Cool-humid, transitional | |
| Indiana | |||
| Ohio | |||
| New Jersey | |||
| West Virginia | |||
| Michigan | Cool-humid | ||
| Minnesota | |||
| Oregon | Cool-humid, cool-arid | ||
| Tennessee | Cool-humid, warm-humid, transitional | ||
| Virginia | Cool-humid, warm-humid | ||
| Kansas | Tall or fine Fescue | Cool-arid, transitional | |
| Missouri | |||
| Maryland | Tall Fescue | Cool-humid, transitional | |
| Nebraska | Kentucky Bluegrass, Fine Fescue | Cool-humid, cool-arid, transitional | |
| Washington | Kentucky Bluegrass, Fine Fescue, Bentgrass | Cool-humid, cool-arid | |
| Kentucky | Early Fall and early Spring or Summer | Kentucky Bluegrass, Bermuda, or Fine Fescue | Cool-humid, warm-humid, transitional |
| North Carolina | |||
| Nevada | Cool-humid, cool-arid | ||
| Oklahoma | Cool-arid, warm-humid, transitional | ||
| South Carolina | Warm-humid, transitional | ||
| Texas | Mid Spring and Summer or early Fall and Spring | Bermuda, St. Augustine, or tall Fescue | Cool-arid, warm-arid, warm-humid, transitional |
Wrapping Up
The time grass seed is planted is essential as it will influence how well it will grow. The time it should be planted depends on the type of grass chosen, the climate zone, and the seasons of the year.
It is beneficial for you to pick the correct type of grass to plant; this is dependent on the climate zones of each state in the USA. Following the proper criteria will lead to a healthy, luscious lawn that you will be proud of.
Kevin is the owner of Land Lawn & Garden. In addition to taking a lot of pride in his lawn at home, he also helps manage the family land. You can find more about him here.