Did you know that one of the best times to plant grass seed or overseed an existing lawn is right smack dab in the middle of winter?
It’s true! As you will see in today’s article, not only does it allow you to “plant” your grass seed more effectively than in the spring and summer, it also allows your lawn to start growing faster than ever early next spring. So much so that a winter seeded lawn will come up a full three to four weeks faster than grass seed planted in early spring!
But if that wasn’t enough to convince you to winter seed, planting your grass in the middle of the winter also means you eliminate one of the most tedious and time consuming tasks of all – having to constantly water!
With all of the construction we have been doing on the farm the last few years, we have used this simple trick over the winter months to get new grass growing with ease. And it’s just as effective when trying to overseed an existing lawn to thicken it up.
With growing better grass in mind – here is a look at just what winter seeding is – and exactly how to do it!
What Is Winter Seeding? How To Winter Seed A Lawn
So what exactly is winter seeding? And how and why does it work so well when planting grass seed? Winter seeding (also commonly called dormant seeding), is a highly effective and efficient way to prepare your lawn for lush, green growth in the spring.
It couldn’t be more easy to do! It simply involves sowing grass seed on top of the soil during the cold months. This allows you to take advantage of the natural freeze and thaw cycles that winter brings. Why is that important? Because the constant freezing and thawing allows the seed to gradually plant itself perfectly into the soil.
When soil freezes and thaws, it constantly opens up and draws the moisture in. As that occurs, the seeds “plant” themselves in the best way possible – by simply sinking into the soil. No need to rake. No need to cover with straw. And best of all, no need to water!
By seeding during the winter months, when temperatures are consistently below the germination threshold, the grass seed remains dormant. The seed then lies in wait for temperatures to warm up – all the while receiving plenty of moisture from snow, rain – and more freezing and thawing.
But here is the best part of all. Because the seed is in place from the start, it sets the stage for optimal germination when warmer temperatures arrive. The seed comes up quick and fast, and thickens in far before any seed planted in the spring.
How To Winter Seed A Lawn – The Secret To Thick, Lush Grass Next Spring!
When to Winter Seed
One thing is for sure, timing is extremely critical for winter seeding. You need to wait until there is no chance of the seed germinating before spring. For most regions, this means sowing seed between December to February.
Temperatures should be consistently below 40°F before seeding. This will ensure your seed remains dormant until early spring and doesn’t start to grow prematurely. Once the time arrives – the process is fairly simple and straightforward.
For starters, it’s of course important to use the appropriate grass seed for your climate and soil type. As always, when planting grass seed, blends are far better than individual varieties. Blends offer more protection from disease and drought. They also blend into existing lawns far better than a single variety will.
Cool-season grasses and fescue varieties are ideal candidates for winter seeding. These grasses thrive in cooler temperatures and will germinate as soon as spring conditions are favorable. Affiliate Seed Link: Pennington Smart Seed Sun and Shade Grass Mix
Preparing The Lawn For Seed – How To Winter Seed A Lawn
Before spreading seed, it’s important to first make sure you get your lawn ready. The good news is with winter seeding – this is about as easy as it gets!
Start by clearing away any leaves, sticks and other debris from the lawn. If you are planting on bare soil, all you need to do is lightly rake the soil to smooth it out and get it ready for seed. If the lawn is slightly frozen and this step isn’t possible, it’s still okay to seed. Raking simply allows it to take the seed even faster – but the freezing and thawing will still plant it.
If you are overseeding an existing lawn and your lawn was not mowed lower in the fall, now is the time to give it a quick trim. Because it is dormant, this will not harm the lawn. Again, as with seeding bare soil, this can be skipped if not possible.
Now it’s time to “plant” your seed! For this, you can use a broadcast or drop spreader to evenly distribute the grass seed across your lawn. For smaller areas, it’s more than fine to hand cast seed. The important part is to follow the recommended seeding rates listed on the seed package.
Avoid the temptation to seed thick. Unfortunately, overcrowding will lead to weak growth in the spring – simply because there are too many new seedlings competing for water and light.
Once Spring Arrives – How To Winter Seed A Lawn
Once spring temperatures begin to rise and the soil warms up, your winter-seeded lawn will start to come to life. Even better, it will do so far faster than if you waited to plant until spring.
For best results, apply a light dose of a slow-release fertilizer in early spring to give your new grass a nutrient boost. The grass will have a good start on moisture in the soil from the winter, but if you begin to experience long dry spells in mid to late spring, watering will help to keep the grass growing strong.
Last but not least, try to stay off the lawn as much as possible until the new grass is established in the early spring. Here is to winter seeding your lawn – and enjoying a lush yard faster than ever next spring!
For more lawn care tips, be sure to check out our article: How To Prevent Crabgrass In The Spring – Stop Crabgrass Naturally.
Happy Gardening! – Jim & Mary.
Old World Garden Farms
Jim and Mary Competti have been writing gardening, DIY and recipe articles and books for over 15 years from their 46 acre Ohio farm. The two are frequent speakers on all things gardening and love to travel in their spare time.
As always, feel free to email us at thefarm@owgarden.com with comments, questions, or to simply say hello! You can sign up for our free email list in the subscribe now box in the middle of this article. Follow us on Facebook here : OWG Facebook. This article may contain affiliate links.