This Is the Worst Time of Year to Reseed Your Lawn, According to Experts

Reseeding your lawn helps it stay lush and verdant every year, but doing so at the wrong time can be a wasted effort that doesn’t give you the results you’re hoping for. Reseeding too early can expose grass seeds to cold temperatures and too much rain, while reseeding too late can cause seed burn and other issues. While the correct timing largely depends on the type of grass seed you're laying down, there are some general times of year when experts say you should never reseed your lawn. 

The Worst Times of Year to Reseed Your Lawn

These are the three times of year when experts say you should never reseed your lawn.

Mid-Summer

The worst time of year to reseed your lawn is almost always the peak of the hot weather season in your region. "For many areas of the country, the hottest part of the summer is a poor time to reseed," says Coleman Cosby, a licensed landscape contractor with Yardzen. "Lawn seed can fail to germinate from lack of water and seed burn."

Winter or Early Spring

Don’t reseed your lawn in winter or early spring, as overnight freezes and seasonal showers can ruin the success of your grass seeds. “While taking advantage of spring rains can benefit seed germination, too much rain too early can wash away seeds before they have a chance to germinate and take root," says Cosby. "You also want to reseed when there is no longer a risk of new sprouts being exposed to cold spells that may damage the new growth. You want to be sure soil temperatures are high enough to foster proper germination."

Late Fall

Fall is an ideal time to reseed your lawn, as temperatures are mild; however, don’t wait too long. "You want your lawn seed to have enough time to germinate and establish roots during more favorable conditions," says Cosby. "Grass blades not having significant time to harden before freezing temperatures arrive can produce poor results."

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The Worst Time of Day to Reseed Your Lawn

Avoid sowing grass seed during the sunniest, driest times of the day. "Early morning or late afternoon are generally the best times of the day to reseed," says Cosby. "Early morning, the soil will still be moist, and late afternoon avoids peak sunlight."

When to Reseed Your Lawn

Give your grass seeds their best chance at success by sowing them during the spring or early fall, depending on the type of grass you're planting.

Warm-Season Grasses

Warm-season grasses, like zoysia and Bermudagrass, should be planted in late spring or early summer. "If you do it too early, the soil temperature gets in the way of germination. It likes the damp soil to be consistently above 75 degrees," says Christopher Roderick, director of systems for The Grounds Guys, a Neighborly company. "If you do it too early, you risk the seed being damaged by cooler temperatures, washed away in rains, or simply dying. If they do manage to germinate, they still are at risk during early growth in the less than perfect soil temperature."

Cool-Season Grasses

Cool-season grasses, like Kentucky bluegrass, fescues, and perennial ryegrass, prefer a late summer or early fall planting schedule, says Roderick. "Ryegrass seeds germinate in one to two weeks, whereas bluegrass seeds can take up to four to six weeks. Know when your average first frost occurs and work your way backward on your planting calendar to determine your specific timing on planting."

Reseeding Tips

Successful reseeding starts before you open your bag of seeds. "Reseeding is a bit like painting: the better the preparation of the surface you're applying to, the better the results," says Cosby. "Make sure you have the correct PH levels, dethatch, and aerate as needed to set your seed up for success. Once seeded, keep up proper moisture levels, and avoid foot traffic until the seed is established."

Aim to water newly planted grass seeds one to three times a day so the soil doesn't dry out. According to Cosby, if the soil becomes too dry, the seeds could die. On the flip side, do not soak or flood your lawn—use just enough water to keep the soil moist at seed depth.