Sowing lawn in autumn: these are the advantages

Autumn is an ideal time to sow the lawn? Find out what the advantages of late sowing are and how to go about it properly.

When is the best time to sow lawn?

Generally, you can sow lawn in spring or autumn. Basically, weather conditions determine when seeding has the best chance of germination and growth. While the months of March through May are ideal for seeding lawns in the spring, September and October are ideal in the fall. However, you can sow turf as late as November if the weather is right.

What are the advantages of sowing grass in the fall?

Some aspects speak in favor of sowing grass in the fall. The most important advantage is the soil temperature. This is because the soil is still well warmed up by the sun in the past months. This helps the seeds to germinate. Since the overall temperatures are higher than in spring, the seeds often germinate faster and grow better than in spring. Early in the year, the soil in the garden is still cool and the air is also very fresh. In addition, if there is little rain in the spring, there is a risk that the emerged lawn grasses will dry out without irrigation, which has often been the case, especially in recent years, as a result of climate change. The probability of precipitation in the fall, on the other hand, is higher.

The ideal conditions for sowing lawn in the fall

The right temperature and sufficient moisture in the soil are crucial for the germination of lawn seed. When these factors are in optimal proportion, dormancy is overcome and the germination process is initiated. Moisture can be influenced by watering, but in terms of temperature you are dependent on the weather. If you’re wondering when to seed grass, the blanket answer is when the optimal conditions prevail in your area. And this is what the perfect conditions for germination of lawn seed look like in the fall:

• Daytime temperatures are between 16 and 23 °C / 61 and 73°F .
• The soil in your garden is loose, moist and permeable.
• The soil has a medium content of nutrients and humus.
• It is neither too dry nor too wet. Variable weather is best, alternating rain and sunshine without the sun being too piercing. Check the weather forecast for the next 10 to 14 days after sowing.

Thus, fall offers many advantages for seeding lawns. Depending on the lawn mixture chosen, it takes between 7 and 14 days for the lawn to germinate and start growing.

Step by step guide for new lawn

Whether you are seeding lawn or installing rolled sod, the area should be well prepared before new sod is installed:

• Free the area from weeds. For this purpose, work through the entire ground. You can use a spade for this purpose or use a power hoe.
• Once the soil is loosened, collect stones, roots and sticks. If the garden soil is hard or clayey, spread a layer of coarse sand on it before loosening the area. The sand will automatically mix with the soil during further cultivation. This is beneficial later because lawn grasses grow better in soil with good permeability. Moss and weeds settle more quickly in compacted soil.
• Level the surface with a wide wooden rake. Work carefully and avoid depressions. Otherwiese, water will accumulate there later.