If much of your lawn is unhealthy, it may be wise to start fresh with sod.

When Is the Best Time to Plant Grass Seed?

The best time to plant grass seed depends, in part, on where you live.

Overhead view of bare patch on lawn with grass seed planted

The Spruce / Jayme Burrows

If you live in the South, sow warm-season grass seed in the late spring or summer.

If you live in the North, sowcool-season grass seedin the early fall.

Failure to tackle the underlying problem may result in the need to reseed.

Overhead view of materials and tools needed to plant grass seed

The Spruce / Jayme Burrows

Starting a whole new lawn from seedrequires more preparation and critical steps than seeding a bare patch.

For example, it is a good idea to rototill the ground before seeding a new lawn.

If you live in the North, that will be a cool-season grass.

Measuring the area of lawn to be seeded

The Spruce / Jayme Burrows

If you live in the South, that will be a warm-season grass.

To narrow it down further, factor in sunlight requirements and drought tolerance.

The jot down of grass seed you sowed before may not be the best choice.

Closeup of grass seed in dispenser

The Spruce / Jayme Burrows

Create a Seed/Potting Soil Mix

Mix seed with potting soil instead of broadcasting seed itself.

Pour 3 parts potting soil and 1 part seed into a wheelbarrow and mix well with a shovel.

This step distributes seed better so the seedlings have space to grow vigorously.

Breaking up the soil with a garden shovel

The Spruce / Jayme Burrows

Sow the Seed

Broadcast the seed and soil mix using a rake to even it out.

Don’t worry if you sow some seed mix on top of existing grass in thinning spots.

Plant a ground cover, such asblue rug juniperon steep slopes where sowing grass seed is problematic.

Applying compost to the bare lawn spot

The Spruce / Jayme Burrows

Or, try grass with deeper roots, such astall fescuein the North andBermuda grassin the South.

Cover the seed with a thin layer of straw after sowing to prevent erosion.

Water the Seed

Lightly water sown seed using the garden hose with a spray nozzle.

Seed starting and potting soil mix

The Spruce / Jayme Burrows

Water evenly at least 3 inches down.

Avoid puddling or saturating the soil.

Cover the Area to Protect It From Birds

Avoid Mowing

Sowing grass seed in the lawn

The Spruce / Jayme Burrows

Watering the seeded area

The Spruce / Jayme Burrows

Covering the seed with mulch to protect it from birds

The Spruce / Jayme Burrows

Waiting to mow the lawn until the grass seed is firmly planted

The Spruce / Jayme Burrows