What are the Pros and Cons to a Fall vs. Spring Seeding?
September 14, 2009 by Becky
Filed under Customer FAQ's, How and When to Plant or Collect Seed, How to Guides, Seasonal Reminders
Seeds can be planted in fall, spring or dead of winter. This chart lists the pros and cons of each season.
| TIME | ADVANTAGE | DISADVANTAGE |
| Fall (plant mid October until the ground freezes) | -Clay soils are easier to work in the fall than the spring -Higher forb/sedge germination in the first growing season -High moisture conditions at time of germination; less watering needed -Eliminates the need for cold moist stratification of seed |
-Early establishment of warm season grasses can be inhibited -Cool season weeds become competition for new seedlings in spring -Erosion prone sites need cover crop seeding which is earlier and separate from the native sowing |
| Frost (plant in early winter just before snowfall or snow free periods until spring) | -No raking or packing of site -Higher forb/sedge germination in the first growing season -High moisture conditions at time of germination; less watering needed -Eliminates the need for cold moist stratification of seed |
-Early establishment of warm season grasses can be inhibited -Cool season weeds become competition for new seedlings in spring -Erosion prone sites need cover crop seeding which is earlier and separate from the native sowing |
| Spring (plant in April until June) | -Cool season weeds can be eliminated before planting -On erosion prone sites a cover crop can be mixed and planted at the same time as the natives -Optimal for warm season grasses -More time to do thorough soil preparation and spring weed control |
-Clay soil is more difficult to work with -Need of additional early mowing mid-May to early June -More watering needed, especially if seed is cold moist stratified -1 year delay in germination for those forbs/sedges which require cold moist stratification |
