How to Sow Grass Seed in Winter and Actually Grow Grass

To create a great lawn, you need more than just good grass seed. Sometimes it takes a little effort. One of the tasks that people always focus on is seeding and overseeding their lawns.

One way to reduce the time and energy required to do this work is to sow the seeds in winter, called dormant sowing.

Is It Possible to Seed Grass in Winter?

It is possible to winter sow grass, this is called dormant sowing. This is best done in places where there is a lot of snow and stable low temperatures that freeze until spring.

If you use a grass that can withstand cooler temperatures, such as Kentucky bluegrass, some ryegrass and some tall fescue, you should have no problem sowing seed during the winter months.

Grass seed will lie dormant during the winter months until it thaws and germinates as temperatures rise.

Dormant Seeding: How to Sow Grass Seeds in Winter 

Sowing grass in winter is not difficult. Preparing your lawn and soil for the seeds you want to plant will only require some prep work.

Keep your lawn as short as possible. Lower the lawnmower to the lowest level and mow two to three times. This is usually not good for the health of your lawn, but it is called lawn mowing.
Use a wire rake to walk over the area where you plan to sow seeds, raking as much of the soil surface as possible. Your lawn is ready for seeding. The best way to sow grass is to use a broadcast generator.
A handheld radio transmitter or wheeled seeder will work. If you have time to do this before rain is forecast; it is even better. Now all that remains is to let the natural winter process of cooling and warming do its work.
As the earth moves, grass seeds maintain contact with the ground, absorb water, and begin to germinate as temperatures rise.

Caring for Seeded Grass in Winter 

Dormant seeding is not universally effective and may require special care in areas that are not ideal for this seeding method. The most important thing for sowing seeds to be effective is humidity.

The best conditions for sowing dormant seeds are soil covered with snow since winter and not melting until spring, or persistently low temperatures with plenty of precipitation.

If you live in an area where there are no seeds, you may need to spray the seeded area from time to time.

Another problem may be protecting the crop area if it is not covered with snow. Snow cover protects the seeds from being eaten by wild animals and blown away by the wind. Covering the newly seeded area with a thin layer of thatch will help protect the lawn until it germinates in the spring.

Either way, dormant seeding is a great way to save time, effort, and sometimes money on sod seeding and lawn replacement. Even having to take a few extra steps to protect seeds planted in winter is nothing compared to having to seed your lawn during the hot summer months or call a lawn mowing company for help.