I’ve seen a couple of weeds popping up in the soil so I’m trying to determine if now is the time or hold off longer. Zone 7a.

by Illustrious-Bird7088

15 Comments

  1. SuperFrog4

    Air temps help but you really need to look at soil temps. Once your soil is at 50 degrees, seeds have a much higher chance of sprouting.

    I would be concerned too about those cold temps as freezing hurts grass seed.

  2. Much-Baker-2703

    Seeding is for the fall. Don’t be stupid!

  3. Intelligent-Dot-8969

    Base your decision on soil temperature, not air.

  4. AllHailTheHypnoFloat

    You can seed it for sure but I think it’ll probably sit there being bird food for a little bit.

    If you’re okay with losing some of your seed to bird food, by all means go for it.

    I’d aerate/cultural practices first, then overseed and then topdress to try to cover as much of your seed as possible

  5. cofonseca

    Yes, it’s too early. You’ll want to wait until you see an average soil temperature of around 55F. Use this website to check soil temps in your area: [https://www.greencastonline.com/tools/soil-temperature](https://www.greencastonline.com/tools/soil-temperature)

    You should consider waiting until the fall to put down seed. You’ll probably have better results. In the spring, it’s usually best to focus on weed control by putting down pre-emergent fertilizer. If you put this down, seed will not germinate, so don’t do both or you’ll just be wasting money.

  6. NFSR113

    Yes about 5-6 months too earlier. I’m kidding, but really spring seeding is a nightmare.

  7. dashatt91

    You need to keep the seeds constantly moist. It’s easier to do when it’s not hot, but you get one cold snap into the 20s with a wet lawn and that will freeze and kill every seed in the ground.

  8. APerfectLine

    Like others said check your soil temps and wait until soil is consistently above 50.

    I’m in the PNW and have had more success seeding in Spring than in Fall, just a side note.

  9. Major_Turnover5987

    Yep. Obviously fall is the best time but I find July to be perfect IF you mist the area every 2-4 hours during the day. Within a week or so it should sprout. Doing it in spring will not yield much, potentially get moldy.

  10. Ricka77_New

    Months early….unless you have less then 50% coverage, don’t do this. Don’t dethatch, don’t aerate, don’t seed….focus on blocking weeds with a pre-emergent like Prodiamine, and then build the soil health and grass up over the season….then seed in Fall.

  11. DadaNijs

    This is the best time to seed because of freeze/thaw that will pull seeds into the ground for you. They will sprout when it warms up.

  12. Careless-Magazine317

    It amazes me how consistent your temperature is – is this the PNW? In NC, the difference between our high and low is 20-40 degrees

  13. CapitalStatus8677

    wild that ontario is in the same hardiness zone as here in VA.

  14. Cheap-Key-6132

    Agree on too early but it wouldn’t stop me from throwing seed down in a small area to see if I’m right or wrong haha

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