If your lawn has areas where the grass is thin, disappointing, or non-existent, planting grass seed makes sense. When is the best time to plant grass in Massachusetts?
Speaking as a local lawn service, we advise people that fall is generally the overall best season to plant grass. The ground is still warm and nurturing, while the weather tends to be on the rainy side. This is the ideal combination for grass growth.
The second best time to plant grass in Massachusetts is in the spring. Again, we see the wet weather that new grass needs to flourish. It is important to delay planting until the ground is fully thawed – seed won’t grow in frozen soil. Locally, that date arrives at the earliest in late March to early April.
What’s the Best Technique for Planting Grass Seed?
Historically, homeowners hand planted seed using what is known as the broadcast method. This basically involved scattering an even coat of seed over the area you want grass to grow. This is actually much trickier than you might imagine, and overall, satisfying results are not guaranteed with this method.
Tools and technologies have developed to help plant seed more effectively. While there are models designed for homeowner use, for best results, you’re going to want to talk to your local lawn service about power seeding. Power seeding use machinery to insert grass seeds that have been coated with growth-boosting nutrients directly into the soil. Soil to seed contact is maximized – this is a good thing – and as a result, healthy grass grows quickly.
What Type of Grass is Best for My Massachusetts Lawn?
Before any local lawn service can answer that question, they’re going to want to take a look at the location and condition of your lawn. There’s a great diversity of growing environments in the Bay State, from seaside homes that need to address wind and salt issues to forested communities battling the impact of pine tree needles on the soil. There’s a best type of grass for every setting, and your lawn service will know what it is for you.
