It will take a year or more until seed will cover the ground enough that you can walk on it with white socks and not get in dirt. That is a whole year kids and pets will track dirt into the house.

In Northern Indiana the best chance of seeding success occurs when seed is planted between August 15th – September 15th. This window will allow the seed to establish a strong enough root system which will withstand the freezing temperatures of winter. During a typical year, planting after September 15th will still leave opportunity for temperatures to allow for seed germination, but not allow for the root system to have enough time to really get established. What if we are outside the window? Does this mean we have to wait a whole year to plant? It doesn’t. The second optimal time to plant seed would be after Thanksgiving through early March when there are still nightly freeze cycles. Planting during this time is called a “dormant” seeding. The idea is to get the seed down when the temperatures will allow for germination, approx. 58°F for KBG. As the ground freezes & thaws, Mother Nature will “plant” the seed into the soil for you.

Dormant seeding is preferred over spring seeding, for a couple different reasons. Dormant seeding is easier, it doesn’t require any type of mechanical cultivation to get good contact with the soil. Having the seed already down when spring arrives, will allow the seed to germinate a few weeks earlier. These couple weeks head start, will allow the seed to have a stronger, established root system to battle the hot summer temperatures.

The more challenging time of year to plant seed is what we have referred to as a “Spring Seeding.” Seed can be planted in April & May, but a March seeding date will allow more time for root development before summer. Plants without a strong root system will have a more difficult time fighting the extreme heats of summer.

Subsoils and sandy soils usually don’t possess the nutrients or water holding capacity to germinate and sustain growth, even if a sprinkler system is present.

The steeper the slope, the more likely erosion will occur, especially around down spouts. Deep gulleys can form and soil will wash into the street. These problems are worse if you are unlucky to seed at the beginning of a rainy period. Fewer seeding companies are repairing washouts without expensive extended care costs.

You won’t find an exact schedule for growing a lawn because you have to work with the weather Mother Nature gives you. It is tough to know when to apply fertilizers and herbicides, and even more expensive if you use a lawn service.