Wondering what the best time to plant grass in North Carolina is? We, too, have been wondering the same thing. After doing the research for our own yard, we want to share what we found with y’all.
Planting grass at the right time can make all the difference in the health and appearance of your lawn. That’s why it’s important to do some research and planning. Thankfully, we’ve done the research for you!
In this blog post, we’ll be exploring the different seasons, and which is the best time to plant grass in NC to grow your new lawn.
From spring to summer to fall, we’ll discuss when the ideal time is to ensure you get that beautiful green lawn. So, let’s dive in and find out the best time for planting grass seed in North Carolina!
Plus, as a bonus, we’ll give you some tips for taking care of those new seedlings once they start popping up!
Spring Planting
Spring is a great time to plant grass in North Carolina. The soil is warm enough for the grass to grow, and the air temperature is just right for the grass to germinate and establish itself.
Plus, you have those abundant spring rains that will really help the soil retain moisture for your newly planted grass.
When you plant in the spring, you should select a cool season grass. Yes, there are different types of grass seed!
Check out Tractor Supply for a variety of local grass seeds.
Grass seeds like Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, or fine fescue are your best bet for spring planting. These varieties can tolerate cool weather better than warm season varieties. Furthermore, they can handle the temperature ups and downs that you get in early spring in North Carolina!
If you do decide to plant in early spring, you should also avoid planting when the ground is still too cold and wet.
Overall, planting grass in the spring can be an ideal choice for many North Carolinians.
With proper soil preparation and regular watering, you can give your lawn a head start on the summer growing season.
Summer Planting
For many NC homeowners, summer is the ideal time to plant grass. The long, sunny days of summer offer tons of time to get your lawn ready for planting.
Warmer temperatures also make it easier for new grass varieties to take root and make for faster growth of your lawn.
Summer is also the time to take advantage of the region’s seasonal rains and make the most of that readily available moisture!
As with any season, there are some downsides to planting grass in the summer.
Higher temperatures can cause stress on the grass and can make newly planted lawns more vulnerable to disease.
If you’re planting in the summer, you’ll need to choose a grass variety that is resistant to disease.
Make sure you know the right watering techniques to make sure your new grass gets the hydration it needs without getting waterlogged.
Also, high temperatures during summer can be beneficial for weed growth. You’ll need to take steps to control weeds and keep them from taking over your lawn.
Overall, if you’re looking for a warm-weather planting season, summer is the best option for planting grass in North Carolina.
The longer days and warmer temperatures provide plenty of time to get your lawn in shape, while the periodic rains can help keep your grass watered and healthy.
With proper maintenance and care, your summer grass planting will give you a lush, healthy lawn in no time!
Fall Planting
Fall is usually considered the best season for planting grass in North Carolina.
Planting in the fall lets you take advantage of the cooler temperatures and higher levels of moisture in the soil.
Fall is also the perfect time to fertilize your lawn to help with growth.
The biggest benefit to planting grass in the fall is that it gives the roots time to get established before the hot summer months arrive.
Grass is sensitive to heat. Getting its roots established can help protect your new grass from the heat and drought conditions that you might see at times during the summer.
Plus, if you have heavy clay soil, other poor soil types, or areas of your lawn that get a lot of sun, fall is a good time to add amendments to improve the soil’s drainage.
When planting grass in the fall, be sure to start early so that your seed has enough time to germinate before winter arrives. Otherwise, you’ll see nothing happen, and you’ll have to do it all over again after winter passes.
The ideal time for planting grass in North Carolina is usually late August through mid-September. This will give the grass enough time to establish itself and get ready for the winter months.
Fall is also a great time for seeding bare spots in your lawn or reseeding areas that need more grass. With cool temperatures and higher levels of moisture, seeds are able to germinate more quickly and evenly.
In short, fall can be an excellent time for planting grass in North Carolina. With the right preparation, you can have a lush, healthy lawn in no time!
When is the Best Time to Plant Grass in North Carolina?
The best time to plant grass in North Carolina depends largely on the type of grass you are planting and your climate zone.
The warm, humid climates of the Coastal Plains and Piedmont regions are better for warm season grasses like Zoysia, Bermuda, and St. Augustine.
Whereas, the cooler climates of the Appalachian Mountains favor cool season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass, fescue, and ryegrass.
In general, the ideal times for planting warm season grasses are late spring (May) and early fall (August-September).
Cool season grasses can be planted in early spring (March-April) or late fall (early October-November).
For areas with mild winters, like the Coastal Plains region, you can also sow seeds any time of year except late summer (July-August).
How Much Does the Type of Grass Matter?
When it comes to the best time to plant grass in North Carolina, the type of grass you are planting will definitely have an effect on when you should plant.
Cool season grasses prefer temperatures between 60-70 degrees. They are going to do best if they’re planted in the spring or fall.
Warmer season grasses do better when they’re planted in the late spring or summer when the temperatures reach 70-90 degrees.
In general, it’s recommended that you wait until the temperatures are consistently mild before planting any type of grass seed.
It’s better to wait for the right conditions than to rush into planting grass and risk having to do it all over again. A little patience and the right grass goes a long way in making sure your new grass is successful!
Different Types of Grasses to Plant in North Carolina
When it comes to choosing the best type of grass for your lawn in NC, there are a few things you should think about.
The most common types of grass found in NC are warm-season grass seed like Zoysia, Bermuda, Centipede, and St. Augustine, as well as cool-season grasses like Fescue and Ryegrass.
You can find many grass seeds at Tractor Supply or your local DIY store.
Warm-season grasses thrive the most during the hot summer months and then go dormant during the winter months. They are best for climates with longer summers like North Carolina has.
Warm-season grasses tend to be better for areas that get full sun, but they can tolerate some shade as well.
Zoysia is one of the most popular warm-season grasses for NC, because it can tolerate drought and high heat. It’s also known for its ability to crowd out weeds and its thick blades that make for a nicer look overall.
Cool-season grasses do best in cooler temperatures and can go dormant in the summer.
The cool season grasses are a great choice for shady areas or areas with partial shade.
Fescue is a very popular cool-season grass in North Carolina, because of its low maintenance requirements and its ability to keep its green color even in hotter months. It’s also very tolerant of drought and cold temperatures.
Whichever type of grass you choose to plant, you should select one that is well suited to the climate in North Carolina. Doing so will help make sure that your lawn looks beautiful and stays healthy year-round.
Tips for Planting Grass and Caring for New Seedlings
If you’re new to planting grass, these tips will help! It’s really pretty simple to plant grass if you know the tricks below.
6 Tips for Planting Grass:
- If you aren’t sure how much grass seed you need, refer to the package for instructions. It will tell you how much space in square feet that the seed will cover.
- No matter which type of grass you are planting, the soil temperature should be above 55 degrees before planting or you might not have any luck. You can check soil temperature with a soil thermometer to get an accurate reading or just wait until you know the soil has had time to warm up.
- Make sure that your grass gets off to a healthy start by preparing the soil before you plant. Start by tilling the soil to a depth of 4 to 6 inches and adding organic material like compost or manure. If you really want to give your grass the best chance at taking root, you could also make sure the soil is pH balanced with a pH test kit and adjust accordingly.
- Make sure your soil is moist before planting the grass seed to give your grass a good start.
- Use an herbicide or pull weeds by hand to prevent them from taking over your grass. Weeds can easily take over new grass seedlings, especially if you’re planting in the summer.
- When in doubt, follow the directions on the seed package for the best results.
8 Tips for Watering Grass and Other Care:
- After planting, you should water your grass twice a day for the first several weeks until it becomes established. Then you can cut it down to once a day or less, depending on how often it rains, until it starts really filling in.
- Keep the soil evenly moist. Moist soil helps grass seedlings grow quickly and evenly.
- Don’t overwater. It can cause the grass seedlings to rot and die.
- Use a sprinkler if you have a large area to cover so you can evenly water your grass seedlings.
- Don’t water in the afternoon when the sun is the brightest and hotest. This can cause the grass seedlings to be stressed and die.
- Make sure the soil has good drainage. Poor drainage can cause the grass seedlings to die due to root rot.
- Use a light fertilizer. Fertilizing your grass seedlings will help promote healthy growth.
- You can aerate your grass regularly to promote healthy root growth.
Final Thoughts on the Best Time to Plant Grass in North Carolina
Overall, planting grass in North Carolina is best done when the soil temperature is at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit. That means that usually, the ideal time to plant grass in North Carolina will be late spring or early summer when the soil temperature is consistently warm and the days are sunny and long.
It all sounds complicated, but it really is a breeze to gross new grass if you plan and prepare. You can have lush, green grass that will continue to add beauty to your garden and enjoyment to your outdoor space in no time!
Before you go, here are more posts you’ll enjoy:
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