It would be irresponsible to start an article like this without acknowledging that summer is one of the worst times of year to plant most types of grass. Just as cold weather can keep grass seeds dormant and prevent them from germinating, hot weather is like trial by fire for your young seedlings. But if you’re determined to establish a lawn from seed in the dog days, I’ll explain how to plant grass seed in summer in today’s article, focusing on tips that will help you succeed where many will fail.
Let’s dive in.
This article was last updated on by Lawn Chick Owner Sarah Jameson
Article content reviewed for accuracy by Horticulturist Arthur Davidson, A.S.
If Not Summer, When?
Spring and early fall are the best times of year to spread grass seed and successfully establish a new lawn, so if you’re considering throwing down some seed in late summer, maybe wait a few weeks to improve your results.
This is especially true for cool-season grasses. The ground better retains moisture in the fall and spring, and there’s more of it so you can cut down on your water usage.
Morning dew or moisture from rainfall can be quickly dried up by the sun during the dog days of summer, but they linger a bit longer to support young grass in the spring and fall.
But if you have the time and resources to water your lawn religiously, you can start a lawn from seed at any time of year.
And some types of grass are quite resilient to the heat and can be established effectively during the summer.
There are also measures that you can take while cultivating your yard to ensure the best chances of success, even when you’re fighting an uphill battle in the heat of summer.
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Why Summer Is a Tough Time to Establish a Lawn
Summer offers even the most determined homeowners challenging conditions for growing grass from seed — or even laying sod.
Heat and humidity are not conducive for germination of most grass seeds or the long-term survival of many types of grass. It’s the reason summer lawn care in general is challenging to some homeowners.
Certain breeds of grass seeds will not germinate in certain temperatures. Either because it’s too hot or too cold.
Even if your seed does manage to germinate and sprout, it is unlikely that young seedlings will survive long-term without the right conditions (and maintaining those conditions in the brutal heat of July and August requires a lot of work).
Water Needs
Grass seeds also need just the right amount of water.
If it has been a stormy summer, then waterlogged soil will pose a challenge. If the season has been very dry, then the grass seeds will not have enough moisture to sprout – especially once the afternoon heat hits and bakes the soil’s surface to a crispy crust.
Different breeds of grass seed also have different needs for moisture. Some are tolerant of dry weather, while others can survive (and thrive) in a monsoon.
The Threat of Weeds
A sparse lawn is an ample opportunity for weeds to move in, and aggressive annual weed seeds are floating on every gust of summer breeze. Creating a moist and fertile environment for your new grass will also create the perfect environment for aggressive weeds to take root in your yard.
Weeds will compete with grass for resources and make it difficult to get a new lawn established. If your soil is dense, dry or dusty, and compacted, then the soil won’t have enough oxygen to support growth.
If your new lawn germinates and begins to grow, it could quickly be smothered and overtaken by these more aggressive, hardier weeds.
Summer Sun – Friend or Foe?
Summertime also tends to be intensely sunny without many clouds to shield your lawn. This increase in sunlight (and heat) can be another important challenge for consideration.
If your lawn is totally exposed without any trees or bushes that provide shade, then it’s vital to find a type of grass that thrives in full sun.
And even then, if you don’t provide extra water, that hot sun will bake the soil and young seedlings with shallow roots can wilt in a single day.
Giving it Your Best Shot
If you do need to plant grass seed over the summer for one reason or another, there are some things that you can do to overcome some of the environmental challenges that the season poses.
These are the methods I recommend and my best tips to help you learn how to plant grass seed in summer and establish a nice lawn during a tough time of year.
Choose the Right Type of Grass
Not all grass types are suited to all environments, and quality grass seed is expensive. Before you buy, spend a week and be observant about the space you are planning to establish a lawn.
It’s important things to consider these factors when selecting what grass seed to plant.
- Is your lawn exposed to a lot of sun?
- Do parts (or does all) of your lawn get light or heavy shade?
- Do you live in a spot where you get rain or is it very dry?
It’s also important to consider your soil type – is it sandy or heavy clay?
Aeration Before Seeding Can Help
If your yard is barren, or if your lot has a lot of clay, your soil may be compacted. Compacted soil limits the important flow of oxygen and nutrients necessary for young grass roots.
Aerating the lawn area before spreading your seed or tilling the soil to loosen things up can help create ideal conditions for young grass and improve your germination rate with better water penetration, seed to soil contact, and improved airflow.
That said, tilling your lot before seeding may bring up long dormant weed seeds to the surface. You may want to do this in advance of planting grass seed so that you can manage any weeds that come up.
No Competition – Weed Control When Starting a Lawn from Seed
Without grass to compete for resources and crowd them out, weeds will always run rampant in your yard. This may include dandelions, crabgrass, and more.
Remove weeds from your yard prior to establishing a new lawn from seed, and accept that you’ll have to do some weed mitigation after your lawn takes hold as well.
You want your new grass to thrive without having to compete for important resources such as water, oxygen, and sunlight.
If you’re killing your lawn and starting over, use a starter fertilizer with pre-emergent (like this one on Amazon, which I’ve used and recommend) to help your lawn take off while preventing crabgrass from germinating.
Cover Seed with a Fertile Mulch
The intense summertime sun can harm your young grass by drying it out. Mulching grass seed helps retain moisture without blocking airflow to the roots. It can also keep hungry birds from devouring your expensive seed.
You can do this by laying a protective layer over the seeds. Do this by leaving:
- Wheat straw (avoid hay, it may contain weed seeds)
- A biodegradable grass seed mat like this one
- 1/4″ layer of screened compost
- Commercial mulch for grass seed
Using your lawn mower to leave grass clippings on your yard after mowing will also help with this, but I recommend bagging your lawn clippings the first few times you mow a new lawn grown from seeds.
Fertilizing New Grass
Nitrogen and phosphorus are important elements for fertilizing grass seedlings. The Nitrogen helps with green growth and phosphorus is good for supporting healthy root systems.
When you shop for a fertilizer for grass grown from seed, pay attention to the three numbers on the bag.
Screened compost is my go-to top-dressing over seed and can help you build excellent soil to support your lawn long-term. In the summer it’s especially helpful because it’s nutrient rich and retains moisture.
Is Sod a Better Choice in the Summer?
Laying sod in the summer can be tricky. However, if you can afford it, establishing a lawn from sod instead of seed may give you better results as long as you keep up with watering.
Sod can certainly be far more costly than spreading grass seed, but you probably won’t have as many weeds to address at the end of the project, and the results will be nearly instantaneous.
Choosing Seed That Can Germinate & Thrive in Summer Heat
Some types of grass seed are more resilient in high-temperature weather. Having a good understanding of these grass types is important when learning how to plant grass seed in the summer.
If you live in a warmer, southern climate, these are some examples of excellent options for establishing a lawn from seed during summer weather.
A local landscaper or garden center will know the area where you live and your micro-climate. They are always a great resource and will be able to provide further guidance on grasses that thrive in your locality.
Bermuda Grass
Bermuda grass is commonly found in the southern part of the United States and has high heat and drought tolerances.
This grass can withstand the particularly dry summer weather. It goes a step further and has a relatively moderate tolerance for cooler temperatures. This makes Bermuda a popular choice if your area has cool evenings, or if you are living further north in the transitional zone where the temperatures can fluctuate.
Bermuda grass is a resilient, full sun grass, though it may require a bit more maintenance, depending on your area. Its high wear-tolerance makes it a great option for high traffic spots that are completely exposed to the sun. It’s popular on golf courses for this reason.
Bahia Grass
Bahia grass is another breed of grass seed that’s popular for southern lawns. It offers high heat and drought tolerance and is pretty easy to establish in the summer.
Bahia requires less maintenance than Bermuda grass, but it’s also less resilient to wear and doesn’t hold up as well when walked over.
It works well in partially shady areas that still get a fair amount of sun.
Centipede Grass
Though the name may conjure unpleasant images, centipede grass is a favorite in the south due to its resilience and low maintenance requirements.
Centipede grass can withstand high heat, but it is less resistant to drought. That said, it’s incredibly well suited to the hot, humid areas of the Southeastern United States.
Centipede grass is also a good option if you don’t mind regularly watering the lawn. It has a lower tolerance of cool temperatures than the other warm-season grasses, but it has higher shade tolerance than most.
Zoysia Grass
Zoysia grass sounds quite exotic, and thus high maintenance, but nothing could be further from the truth.
This popular type of grass is highly adaptable to a range of environmental conditions. It can withstand high heat, cooler weather, drought, high traffic, and both shady or sunny conditions.
Pair this versatility with the fact that Zoysia has only moderate maintenance requirements, and it’s easy to see why it’s one of the most versatile breeds for seeding in the summer.
Choose the Right Seed For Your Climate
Whatever grass you choose, it’s important that you choose something that will thrive long-term in your climate, not simply in the summer.
If you live in a northern climate, you’ll need to go with a cool season grass seed, or a blend of different cool season grasses.
If you live in the south, you’ll want something tailored to the heat and conditions where you live.
Lawn Enforcement
It’s not impossible to grow grass from seed in the summer months, but tackling this project will require a bit more effort and maintenance compared to establishing a new lawn in late spring or early fall when conditions are more ideal.
There are some measures that you can take to overcome some of the challenges that accompany hot weather seeding. Hopefully, the advice shared in this summer seeding guide will have you admiring a carpet of green grass by fall.
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-Sarah
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