Choose a Seed That Fits Your Region

• The best seed for your lawn depends on the average temperatures and rainfall in your area. Select a seed that is appropriate for your climate, region and the appearance you prefer.
  
  

Warm Season vs. Cool Season Grass

• A cool season grass variety of seed (Tall Fescue, Ryegrass, Bluegrass, Fine Fescue and Bentgrasses, according to Seedland.com), you'll need to wait for a certain range of soil temperatures before seeding. Warm season grasses (Bahiagrass, Bermuda, Centipede, Zoysia, Carpetgrass, Buffalograss, according to Seedland.com) have different requirements for optimum germination and performance.
  
  

Cool Season Grass Soil Temperatures

• Cool season grasses grow best in soil temperatures of 50 to 65 degrees, Seedland.com states. In fact, these grasses typically go dormant in soil temperatures below 50 or above 90 degrees. If seed is spread at either extreme, you can expect poor results. In most areas, the ideal time for seeding cool grasses will be early fall, with spring as a backup option.
  
  

Warm Season Grass Soil Temperatures

• Warm season grasses prefer warmer soils to germinate. Seedland.com states that they grow best when soil temperatures surpass 70 degrees. Late spring and early summer are the best times to sow warm grass seeds, although regions in the deep South may be warm enough by mid-spring. Fall seeding is risky. Though soil temperatures will likely be warm enough due to the recent intensity of the summer sun, the grass needs at least two months to establish before frost so it can resist cold damage. Your best chance of successful seeding is in the spring when the soil has warmed to 70 degrees.
  
  

Other Factors

• Other factors such as wind and sunlight will have some bearing on seed germination. Wind can cause the soil to warm up more slowly, and sun can cause it to warm up more quickly, but the effect is slight compared to soil temperature. If given the right soil temperature and adequate nutrients and water in the first two to three weeks, your grass has a very good chance of thriving.