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When to Plant Grass

Planting a proper lawn that continues to be thick, green and eye-pleasing for years demands good planning, some time and work. Preparing the soil, choosing the correct grass seed type, and at last planting grass all ought to be executed well and at the suitable time. Planting the suitable grass seed in the wrong time of year or planting an unacceptable grass seed at the best time of the season can significantly impact the quality of your grass establishment and ultimately the attractivness and durability of your new lawn. Selecting the suitable grass seed to your area is about the first and most important step when planting grass, however when to plant the grass is another crucial factor to consider.

Cool Season Grass Plantings

Kentucky bluegrass, tall and fine fescue, and rye grass work best seeded between dates of August 25th and October 10th. Keep in mind that lawns seeded inside a week of Labor Day are more inclined to fill in completely for winter and produce a thicker turf appearance for the spring when compared with lawns seeded in October. When planted around the tail-end of summer, cool season grass seeds germinate and grow rapidly in the warm soil with lots of time for it to become fully established prior to the frigid temperatures of late fall and winter. Warm days and cool nights are ideal for cool season seedling growth and you should encounter less weeds to compete with. If you are living within the northern states where temperatures tend to be cooler, it's possible to plant cool season grasses in the Spring, but is not recommended. If planting in the Spring, plant early enough so that seedlings become well established before warm weather and weed competition begins. The downside to planting in the Spring is the fact there are usually more weeds to contend with and frequent watering needed for germination promotes disease development in warmer temperatures.

Warm Season Grass Plantings

Dependent on what state you reside in, but generally May through July is the ideal time for planting warm season grasses like bermuda grass, zoysia grass, St. Augustine, Seashore Paspalum, and buffalo grass. If currently in a warm climate and using grass sod, plugs, or sprigs, you may well be able to plant all the way up into August. Plan your planting well because planting too late may not give your grass enough time to completely establish prior to the end of the season, but while planting prematurely can bring about a sluggish establishment and they are often overrun by weeds.

With good planning, preparation, and the right timing, you'll have a beautiful green grass lawn in no time.

Article Source: GardenGap.com

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