Grass Seed FAQs

The steps to plant grass seed are amending the soil and prepping for optimal soil health, choosing the right type of seed and applying the seed according to the instructions on the packaging. Keeping the seeds moist during the germination period is the most important step to ensure seedling growth. Instructions will specify the right time of year to plant based on whether the grass seed is a warm-season or a cool-season variety. For a more detailed look at how to complete each step, read our article "How to Plant Grass Seed."

The best time to plant grass seed depends on whether you have a cool- or warm-season lawn. For cool-season lawns such as fescue, bluegrass or ryegrass, mid spring or early fall is ideal for planting. Make sure to plant when the daytime temperatures are between 60 - 75 degrees and no lower than 50 degrees at night. 

For warm-season grasses, like bermuda, zoysia or centipede, the best time to plant is in late spring to early summer. You will want to wait until daytime temperatures are 75 degrees and rising, with night time temperatures no lower than 60 degrees. Still have questions? Jump to our article about when to plant grass seed. 

The best temperature to plant grass seed will depend on whether you have a cool- or warm-season lawn. Cool-season grasses should be planted when temperatures are between 60 - 70 degrees during the day and no lower than 50 degrees at night. Warm season grasses should be planted when temperatures are above 75 degrees during the day and no lower than 60 degrees at night. For more answers, visit our article about the best time to plant grass seed.

Pennington grass seed is enhanced with our proprietary technology, Penkoted, which promotes healthier plants, protects against fungus and increases plant survival. Our seeds are enhanced with a growth stimulant, which ensures better plant growth and increases plant survival by enabling the seed to establish faster during the early growth period when grass is most susceptible to disease. To learn more, visit our article "A Commitment to Excellence: Through the Years with Pennington Seed."

All of our grasses are perennials, unless it specifically states it is an annual ryegrass. Check out our ryegrass selection here. 

Depending on the region and availability, the seed mixes and blends can change. Please see the seed analysis within the seed tag on the packaging you've purchased for the seed breakdown. Learn how to read a seed tag here.

The exclusive Pennington Seed Penkoted^® Seed Technology improves each seed's ability to grow into a healthy plant, resulting in a thick, beautiful lawn.

It is not recommended to plant grass seed before a heavy rain because it can wash the seed away or make it pool in one area. However, light rainfall can help seed work it's way into the soil for great seed to soil contact. To learn all of the ins and outs of planting grass seed please visit our resource section.

How long it takes grass seed to germinate depends on what type of grass seed you have planted. For most grass seed types, it can take between 7 to 21 days to germinate. In some cases, like centipede and zenith zoysia, it can take up to 30 days. To learn more about your type of grass, please visit our Grass 101 article section.

When to mow your lawn will depend on the type of grass, as each has its own recommended mowing height. We recommend reviewing "Recommended Mowing Heights" on our resource section.

Overseeding is when seed is placed throughout an existing lawn to increase the density of the grass or patch thin areas. It is also a method widely used by lawncare professionals and is highly recommended to maintain a beautiful lawn. Learn more about this practice here.

Grass seed growing zones are based off of the USDA plant hardiness zone map which is used to determine what plants will thrive in certain regions in the United States. Different grasses do well in different growing zones and choosing the correct grass seed for your region is the first step to a beautiful lawn. Learn more about what grasses grow best in your region here.

Due to varying climates, soil conditions and regions, matching the best cool- or warm-season grasses to your growing region is critical. We recommend reading "Recommended Grasses for Regional Climates" in our resource section to learn what grass grows best in your area.

Most existing lawns need the equivalent of 1 inch of rainfall each week to retain their health and attractive appearance. This includes water from natural precipitation and any supplemental irrigation you provide. However, this can vary depending on where you live and what type of grass you have. Learn more about specific grass maintenance needs to ensure you adhere to proper water guidelines here.

For newly planted grass seed, water twice daily so that the top half inch of the soil always remains moist. Stop watering when puddles begin to appear on the soil surface. Once the seeds germinate and grass seedlings begin to grow, gradually transition to watering less frequently but more heavily. Taper off watering as the grass becomes taller and more mature. Learn more about new grass seed maintenance in our "How to Plant Grass Seed" article.

Keeping grass seeds and seedlings constantly moist but not soggy is critical to successful grass-seeding efforts. Water newly seeded areas two to three times a day with a light spray to keep the seeds moist. Stop watering when puddles begin to appear on the soil surface. Once the seeds germinate and grass seedlings begin to grow, gradually transition to watering less frequently but more heavily. Taper off watering as the grass becomes taller and more mature. Learn more about new lawn maintenance in our "How to Plant Grass Seed" article.

At Pennington, we use traditional plant breeding; all of our grass seed is GMO free.

Animals and children should be kept off the seeded area until the seed has been initially watered in and dried. Be sure to consult the safety label on the packaging for additional instructions.

Cool-season grasses are varieties that flourish in northern regions, where their growth peaks in the cool temperatures and plentiful moisture of fall and spring. Popular cool-season grasses include fescues, bluegrasses and ryegrasses. Learn how to care for cool-season grass here.

Warm-season grasses are grasses that have their most active growth during warm seasons, from late spring through summer into early fall. Warm-season lawn grasses do best across the country's southern tier of states and up into the challenging midsection known as the transition zone, where cool, warm, humid and arid regions meet and merge. Popular warm-season grasses include Bermudagrass, Centipede, and Zenith Zoysia. Learn more about warm-season grass varieties here and how to choose the right variety for your lawn.

You can store grass up to two years after the test date, as long as it's in a cool and dry area. The test date can be found on the seed tag on the back of each grass seed bag. Learn how to read a seed tag here.

There are many variables that can effect germination, ranging from temperature to soil abnormalities. We would recommend having a soil test done prior to seeding to ensure that the proper nutrients are in the soil for optimal germination. Learn how to take a soil sample here.

Seed germination is when the seed begins to root and develop beneath the soil. Seed emergence is when the growing blade of grass emerges from the topsoil. For more information to ensure proper seed germination check out our article "Your First Lawn? Start Here!"

We have no reason to believe that our One Step Complete products are harmful to pets. One Step Complete includes fertilizer so we do recommend that the product is watered in and has thoroughly dried before allowing pets to re-enter the area.

The best time to repair bare spots in your lawn will depend on the type of grass and the climate in which it is being planted. Most warm-season grasses should be planted in late spring to early summer, while cool-season grasses are better repaired in the fall. However, before repairing your bare spots, we would recommend that you ensure that soil is healthy. Patchy spots are sometimes indicative of unhealthy soil. A frequent cause of this can be from pet urination. To learn more visit our article "How to Repair Bare Spots in Your Lawn."

Because One Step Complete includes fertilizer we recommend that the product is watered in and has thoroughly dried before allowing pets to re-enter the area. For best results, keep pets off of the seeded area until the grass is established.

All seeds and fertilizers can require different spreader settings. We recommend that you refer to the manual of the spreader you wish to use for the correct spreader. To learn more about spreaders please visit our article "Demystifying Lawn Spreaders."