Can I Plant Grass Seed in the Fall or Summer? Here’s Why Fall is Better for a Lush Lawn

Many homeowners ask, “Can I plant grass seed in the fall?” or “Can I plant grass seed in the summer?” The short answer: you can do both, but if you want the thickest, healthiest lawn possible, it’s better to plant it in the fall. In this guide, we’ll break down the pros and cons of planting grass seed in each season, why fall is the best time, and how our NH seacoast landscaping team can help you achieve a lush, green yard.

Can I Plant Grass Seed in the Summer?

While you can plant grass seed in the summer, it’s generally not recommended due to the following challenges that come along with it:

• High heat stress: Summer’s scorching temperatures can dry out seedlings quickly.
• Water demand: You’ll need frequent watering—sometimes multiple times a day to prevent seed from drying out.
• Weed competition: Weeds thrive in summer and can choke out young grass.

Summer seeding can work if you’re prepared to commit to heavy watering and maintenance, but it’s not the most efficient or budget-friendly option.

Can I Plant Grass Seed in the Fall?

Absolutely, fall is actually the ideal time to plant grass seed for the following reasons:

• Cooler temperatures: Perfect for grass seed germination without stressing young plants.
• Fewer weeds: Many weeds die back in the fall, giving grass seed room to grow.
• Moisture advantage: Fall rain and morning dew keep soil moist, reducing how much you need to water.
• Strong root growth before winter: Seeds planted in fall establish deep roots that survive the cold and thrive in spring.

Here in New Hampshire, or anywhere in Northern New England, it’s generally agreed upon that mid-September to early October is prime seeding time for the best results.

How to Get the Best Results from Fall Seeding

• Aerate your lawn first to improve seed-to-soil contact.
• Choose the right seed blend for your lawn’s sun/shade needs.
• Overseed thin areas for an even, full lawn.
• Water consistently until grass is fully established.

Our landscaping crew offers complete fall aeration and overseeding services to make the process easy and ensure lasting results.

 

North Atlantic Landscape has built a reputation for quality work and transparent values in the site work, snow management and trucking sectors. Our approach to landscaping is exactly the same. Invest in the best equipment, hire the best personnel, develop the best management plan and do what we said we would do. NAL provides commercial and residential landscaping services throughout the Seacoast Region of New Hampshire, York County in Maine, and Essex County in Massachusetts. Request your free landscape assessment today!