How to Sow Grass Seed in the Winter
Sowing grass seed in the spring has merit, but sowing in the winter has its advantages, too. Freezing temperatures will loosen soil for you, so that you don't have to till as you would in the springtime. Plus, the seeds are already in the ground, and can start sprouting as soon as conditions permit. Whether you live in a state that gets mild winters or severe ones, sowing grass seeds in the wintertime is a valid option. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Severe Winters
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Choose your grass variety. Go with varieties which grow well in cold weather, such as bluegrass.
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Watch the weather for the best time to sow your seeds. Try to sow in either early or late winter, when there is little or no snow on the ground.
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Till the soil if there is no snow on the ground. This will loosen the top layer of the soil, which gives the seeds more contact with the dirt. If there is snow, you can sow the seeds directly onto the snow.
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Spread the seeds uniformly. You can do this by hand, or, for easier and more even sowing, with a law spreader (though this may not be possible if there is much snow on the ground). According to GreenView, every square inch of soil should receive about 16 seeds.
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Lightly sprinkle more soil over the seeds, if there is no snow. If there is snow, leave the seeds uncovered.
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Begin watering the seeds well when the weather starts to get warmer, as spring approaches.
Temperate Winters
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Choose your grass variety. Go with one that will stand up to your area's summer temperatures, such as bermuda grass.
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Loosen the soil. If your soil isn't too packed, you can use a rake to loosen it. If your soil is difficult to work with, consider purchasing or renting a tiller.
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Spread the seeds uniformly by hand, or with a lawn spreader. According to GreenView, every square inch of soil should receive about 16 seeds.
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Cover with a thin layer of soil. If you've planted on an incline, you can also add a thin layer of straw to prevent seeds from rolling away, but remove this in springtime, when seeds start to grow.
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Begin watering when daily temperatures start reaching 80 degrees.
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Tips & Warnings
If your usual winter temperatures are at or above 80 degrees, you can plant grass seed as you would in the springtime.
Those in temperate winters should check the weather before planting, to avoid any unseasonable warm spells which could cause their seeds to germinate early.
Sowing grass seed in the winter is very uncertain.
References
- Photo Credit grass image by green308 from Fotolia.com
