If you’re wondering whether you can seed your lawn in the spring, the short answer is: We recommend against spring seeding. While spring may bring rain and mild temperatures that seem ideal for grass seed, it’s actually not the best time to establish a healthy lawn.
Why You Should Avoid Spring Seeding
The main reason to avoid seeding your lawn in spring is that you cannot apply a pre-emergent herbicide for crabgrass at the same time as new seed. Without pre-emergent protection, crabgrass and other weeds will germinate right alongside your grass seed, quickly overtaking and choking out your new lawn during the summer months.
Additionally, many homeowners are eager to seed in spring when their lawn may simply need a boost from proper fertilization. For cool-season grasses, a strong spring fertilization program can help your lawn recover and thicken up quickly, often without the need for seeding.
Why Spring Seeding Is Not Recommended for Warm-Season Lawns
For warm-season grasses like Bermuda, Zoysia, and Bahia, spring seeding is almost never advisable. These grass types are very slow to establish from seed, often taking three months or more to fill in, while weeds can grow and spread in just days. In southern regions with longer growing seasons and higher temperatures, weeds will almost always out-compete newly seeded warm-season turf.
Instead of seeding, we recommend using sod or grass plugs for warm-season lawns. This allows stolons and rhizomes to spread naturally, creating a thicker, healthier lawn. Note: St. Augustine grass is not available as seed, and Centipede seed is very difficult to find.
Risks of Late Spring or Summer Seeding
Seeding too late in the spring or during summer can be risky, especially for cool-season grasses like Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass, and Fescue. When temperatures rise above 85ºF, even established grass can struggle, and new seedlings with shallow roots can dry out and die within hours.
The Best Time to Seed Your Lawn: Fall
For the healthiest, thickest lawn, plan to seed in the fall. Fall seeding allows your grass to establish strong roots without competition from aggressive summer weeds. Our recommended lawn care strategy is to focus on fertilizing and thickening your existing turf in the spring and summer, then aerate and overseed in the fall to fill in any thin spots and achieve a lush, healthy lawn.
Here is a video on late spring seeding that talks even more about it:
Want to know when in the fall is best to seed? Download the FREE Yard Mastery app with its calendar of recommendations today.
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