Don’t Wait for Spring: Why January Might Be the Best Time to Seed Your Lawn
So, you missed the fall window for planting grass seed. While you may think you’re relegated to waiting for spring to throw down some grass seed, you might actually be able to plant that seed right now. If you live in an area where the ground isn’t frozen, you can use the dormant seeding method to plant grass in January. We tapped Greg Cuoco of New Hampshire-based The Difference Landscapes to get all the information you need to plant grass seed in January.
What is Dormant Seeding?
This seeding method is the process of sewing grass in the winter when low air and soil temperatures prevent the grass from germinating. The grass remains dormant all winter. When the weather warms in the spring, the seed germinates and begins growing.
What’s the Advantage of Seeding in the Winter?
While dormant grass seeding isn’t as effective as fall seeding, it does have its advantages. Since the seed germinates as soon as warm spring weather arrives, there's more time for the grass seedlings to mature before the unforgiving heat of summer takes over. Cuoco points out that research shows that dormant grass seeding is actually more effective than seeding in the spring.
Dormant seeding is also less labor intensive. Rather than breaking up the soil by hand, you can rely on winter precipitation and the constant expansion and contraction of the earth as it freezes and thaws to help plant the seed. “The winter weather causes cracks and crevices in the soil which create good soil-seed contact,” Cuoco says.
Seed can also benefit from the lack of vegetation in nearby trees, according to Cuoco. “Shaded grassy areas benefit from the additional sun exposure they experience in early spring before tree blossoms block access,” he says.
Related: Why Your Grass Is Dying—and Exactly How to Fix It
Can I Plant Grass in January?
Whether or not you can dormant seed your lawn in January depends on your climate. The soil temperature must stay consistently below 40 degrees throughout the winter, so the seeds germinate before spring arrives. With that in mind, dormant grass seeding may not be possible if you live in some southern parts of the country that experience milder winters. If you’re not sure, you can stick a standard meat thermometer a few inches into the ground to check the soil temperature.
While the soil temperature should be below 40 degrees, it also shouldn’t be so hard that the seed can’t work its way into the earth. “Don't seed when the ground is frozen,” Cuoco says. “The seeds will have nowhere to go and will be exposed to the elements and wildlife.”
Timing is also key. While you shouldn't seed when the ground is frozen or if there are several inches of snow on the ground, seeding just before an impending snow storm can actually be a good strategy. “Seed right before a snowfall,” Cuoco says. “The snow's weight will push the seeds into the ground, providing both protection from wildlife and water as the snow melts.”
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How to Dormant Grass Seed
- Step 1: Mow the lawn to a height of one to two inches and clear away any debris, including grass clippings, branches, twigs, and leaves.
- Step 2: If possible, wait for a light dusting of snow. This is ideal as it allows you to see where you’ve seeded and where you haven't as the dark seed will show up against he white snow.
- Step 3: Lightly rake. If the ground isn’t too hard, rough up the top layer of soil using a rake.
- Step 4: Spread the grass seed using a broadcast spreader. Up the amount of seed you spread by 20 to 30 percent to account for inevitable losses from hungry birds and snow melt that washes away some seed.
- Step 5: Apply a top dressing that’s a mix of topsoil and compost to help protect the seeds from birds and erosion.
- Step 6: Wait. Limit foot traffic over your lawn. Once spring arrives and soil temperatures climb into the 50s, the seed will germinate and begin growing.
What Are the Risks of Planting Grass in January?
While dormant grass seeding can be an effective means of overseeding your lawn, it’s fraught with peril. The months-long gap between seeding and germination offers more time for things to go wrong. Birds hunting for food in winter will use the seed as a food source. The seed can also be washed away by snow and rain.
Sudden changes in weather can also spell doom for grass seed. “If you don't time it right, a warm front could cause the seeds to germinate early only to be damaged by a later cold snap,” Cuoco says.
Winter overseeding is also costlier, according to Cuoco. “Dormant seeding can be more expensive as it’s recommended to use 10 to 25 percent more seed compared with spring or fall seeding,” he says.