Autumn in Colorado can be unpredictable. Overnight temperatures can dip below freezing, only to be followed by warm, sunny days, and sometimes even an early snow. With such variability, it’s no surprise that many homeowners put their cool-season grass seeding plans on hold until spring. However, there is another option worth considering: dormant seeding. By seeding in late fall, homeowners can take advantage of winter moisture, giving grass a natural head start without relying on heavy irrigation in the hot spring months.
What is Dormant Seeding?
Dormant seeding can be a method for new seeding or overseeding lawn grasses, such as bluegrass, ryegrass, and fescues. The primary distinction lies in spreading the seed in late fall or early winter when soil temperatures are consistently too cold for germination. After lying dormant through the winter, the seed sprouts in early spring. This can help to fill in bare spots and prevent weed growth, potentially outperforming spring seeding while requiring less water.
Pros and Cons of Dormant Seeding
There are several advantages and potential risks associated with dormant seeding.
Pros:
- Early Spring Growth: Seeds are already in place when temperatures rise, giving dormant-seeded lawns a head start.
- Less Competition: Weeds are less active when the grass begins to grow, resulting in less competition for new plantings.
- Efficient Moisture Use: Dormant seedings capitalize on late fall, winter, and early spring moisture, including melted snow. This can help reduce the high watering costs often associated with seeding a new lawn.
Cons:
- Risk of Washout: Heavy snowmelt or spring rains can wash out the seed before roots have established.
- Variable Success: Unexpected warm temperatures in winter can trigger premature germination, followed by seed loss in a freeze.
- Requires Patience: The results of a dormant seeding will not be visible until spring, so it can be a long period of waiting before homeowners can see if their planting was successful.
Scheduling a Fall Planting
Timing is crucial to the success of a fall planting, whether it’s a dormant seeding or fall establishment. Here’s a quick guide to help with scheduling a spring planting:
- Fall Establishment: End of August – Mid-October. Aim for late August or Early September (Around Labor Day) when soil temperatures average between 50°F and 65°F. These are the optimal germination temperatures for cool-season grasses.
- Dormant Seeding: Mid-November – Ground Freezing. Aim for late fall or early winter when soil temperatures average below 50° and are consistently too cool for germination.
How to Dormant Seed Successfully
- Plan Out Timing – Late fall and early winter are the best times for dormant seedings. Soil temperatures should be low enough to stop germination, but not frozen.
- Choose the Right Seed – Cool-season grasses are ideal for dormant seedings. Refer to our guide to Understanding Warm-Season vs. Cool-Season Grasses.
- Prepare the Soil and Seed – Mow any existing grass down to a height of about 1 inch, rake or rough the surface, and spread the seed with a broadcast seeder or by hand. Be sure to drag or rake the seed to ensure maximum seed-to-soil contact. Refer to our full Turf Seeding Guide.
- Be Patient – There is no need to water, rake, or reseed. Be sure to leave the seed and be patient until early spring when a dormant seeding starts to become visible.
While not the best choice for all projects, there is plenty of upside to a dormant seeding for cool-season grasses. It can help minimize water usage, reduce weeds, and save time during the already busy spring season.
Have More Questions?
Contact our helpful in-office team for more information on seed selection, dormant seeding, and more at (970) 356-4710!!
