When is the best time to plant grass seed?

There are two acceptable times to seed turfgrasses - spring (March 15 - May 15) and fall (August 30 - October 30); however, the early fall season is the preferred time of year for several reasons:

1. The intense summer temperatures have passed.
   
   
2. There is less competition from annual grassy weeds such as crabgrass. Although crabgrass will germinate year-round, the approaching cold weather and frost will keep the weeds in check.



3. Soil temperatures still will be warm enough for continued growth of the turfgrass plant. In preparation for winter, the turfgrasses begin to store nutrients that will not only allow them to survive the cold winter months, but enable the grasses to develop a healthy root system to support new growth once the temperatures rise in the spring.