Expert Tip: Before spreading the seed, ensure the soil is loosened or fresh top soil is added. Then mix the seed with the top centimeter of soil to ensure good seed-to soil contact.
If you skip this step, hard compacted soil makes it incredibly difficult for roots to establish.
Grass loves cool, moist conditions, so the best time to seed is in spring or fall.
spring—BEST 
PREPARE THE AREA
Our seed is 99.9% weed-free, but your yard might not be. Taking care of weeds before you seed will give you better results.
Grass seed likes to be in the dirt. If you are seeding a new area, this is easy, but when overseeding an existing lawn, cut your grass short, rake and remove the clippings and dry grass to expose and loosen the dirt.
Summer
SEED APPLICATION
Spread your seed. Start with a low rate and make multiple passes in a crisscross pattern for even coverage.
Cover your seed. Lightly rake the seed into the soil. There will still be some seeds on the surface. You never get them all covered.
Pack it. Using a roller to lightly pack soil ensures good seed-soil contact and better results. If you are seeding a small area and don’t have a packer, simply walk over the area.
FALL—BEST
WATER & FERTILIZE
Water it. Keeping the soil moist is critical to making grass seed grow. Frequent light waterings are better until grass seedlings are established.
Apply fertilizer. The seed contains the nutrients needed to get each plant started, but applying a starter fertilizer a few days after the grass begins to grow will help the young seedlings.
Grass Seed Calculator
Calculate the perfect amount of grass seed for your lawn
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QUESTIONS?
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ANSWERS
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO PLANT GRASS SEED IN CANADA?
The best time is spring (May to early June) or early fall (late August to September) in most regions.
WHAT TYPE OF GRASS SEED GROWS BEST IN CANADA?
Most Canadian lawns do best with a blend of cool-season grasses, including:
- Kentucky Bluegrass – dense, hardy, self-repairing
- Perennial Ryegrass – fast germination, quick cover
- Creeping Red Fescue – shade tolerant, low maintenance
CAN I PLANT GRASS SEED IN THE SUMMER?
It is best to avoid planting in summer, as high temperatures and dry conditions make it difficult for seedlings to survive. If you need to plant in summer, frequent watering to keep soil moist is critical.
HOW SHOULD I PREPARE THE SOIL BEFORE PLANTING?
Level and gently loosen the soil with a rake to break up lumps and remove rocks, weeds and other debris. It may also be helpful to add topsoil or compost if your soil quality is poor.
HOW MUCH GRASS SEED SHOULD I USE?
Its important to follow the rate listed on the seed bag. Using too much seed can cause the faster germinating perennial ryegrass to outcompete the slower establishing kentucky bluegrass in the blend, affecting your final results. Using too little can result in bare patches. As a reference, 4-5 cups of grass seed will cover an area the size of one parking space.
DO I NEED FERTILIZER WHEN PLANTING GRASS SEED?
Yes! Look for a starter fertilizer that contains phosphorus to help promote root establishment. When selecting fertilizer there are 3 numbers that represent the Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I WATER NEWLY PLANTED GRASS SEED?
Keeping the soil consistently moist, not soaked, is critical to successfully establishing your new grass. Water lightly 2–3 times per day until grass reaches 5 cm.
HOW LONG DOES GRASS SEED TAKE TO GERMINATE?
Germination depends on the grass type and growing conditions:
- Perennial Ryegrass: 5–10 days
- Kentucky Bluegrass: 14–21 days
- Creeping Red Fescues: 7–14 days
WHEN CAN I MOW NEW GRASS FOR THE FIRST TIME?
You can start mowing when grass reaches 8–10 cm, but be careful to only remove ⅓ of the blade height, and make sure mower blades are sharp.
SHOULD I COVER GRASS SEED AFTER PLANTING?
Yes. Lightly rake seed into the soil or apply a thin layer of topsoil or straw mulch. This helps retain moisture and prevents seed from blowing away or being eaten by birds.
CAN I OVERSEED AN EXISTING LAWN?
Yes. Overseeding helps thicken thin lawns and improve appearance. Mow short, rake or aerate, spread seed, and water regularly.
WHY ISN’T MY GRASS SEED GROWING?
Some common challenges when planting grass include
- Soil drying out
- Seed planted too deep or left uncovered
- Poor seed-to-soil contact
- Extreme temperatures
- Old or low-quality seed
IS FALL SEEDING SAFE BEFORE WINTER?
Yes. As long as seed is planted at least 6 weeks before the first hard frost.
WHAT GRASS SEED IS BEST FOR PETS AND KIDS?
Hardy, low-maintenance grasses like kentucky bluegrass and creeping red fescue are great for kids and pets. They provide dense soft ground cover, and have undergrown stems called rhizomes that slowly spread to fill in damaged areas.
HOW LONG CAN GRASS SEED BE STORED BEFORE IT GOES BAD?
Stored properly in a cool, dry, dark location grass seed will be good for 2-3 years.
HOW SOON AFTER SEEDING CAN I APPLY WEED CONTROL PRODUCTS?
Wait until you have mowed your grass two to three times before applying any weed control products. If weeds are severe, you can consider spot-spraying problem areas earlier to prevent them from spreading. Always follow label directions.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I AM BUYING HIGH QUALITY SEED?
It can be difficult to distinguish, but if you select a high-quality brand like Bill & Reg, you know that it always contains the best seed that Canadian farms produce. Some key points on packaging you can look for is: Weed free and Canada No 1 Lawn Mixture.