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When to plant grass seed in zone 8a

In zone 8a, where the last spring frost typically comes around March 29, sow outdoors February 15 to March 1. For a fall crop, plant September 26 to October 10.

The zone 8a schedule for grass seed

Sow outdoors
February 15 to March 1
Plant for a fall crop
September 26 to October 10

From the median frost dates of the NOAA stations assigned to the 2,584 ZIP codes in zone 8a, and the timing recommended by Cooperative Extension guides for grass seed.

Dates before the last frost assume the soil has thawed and is dry enough to work: a squeezed handful crumbles instead of sticking. After a late or wet spring, wait for that even if the date has passed.

Frost risk in zone 8a

Zones are based on winter cold, not on frost dates, so the last spring frost varies a lot within a zone. Across zone 8a, the typical last frost ranges from about March 18 in the earliest tenth of ZIP codes to April 7 in the latest tenth, and the first fall frost from October 31 to November 16. For a typical place in the zone:

  • March 9Risky: a later frost happens in 9 years out of 10
  • March 29Typical: frost after this date in half of years
  • April 14Safe: a later frost only 1 year in 10

Your dates for grass seed

Set your ZIP code at the top of the page and we will work out when to plant grass seed where you live, from the frost records of the nearest NOAA weather station. Your ZIP code is remembered on this device only.

Enter your ZIP code

Grass Seed in zone 8a cities

CityTypical last frostPlantFall
Charlotte, NCMar 30Feb 16 to Mar 2Sep 22 to Oct 6
Memphis, TNMar 16Feb 2 to 16Oct 5 to 19
Baltimore, MDMar 24Feb 10 to 24Oct 10 to 24
Atlanta, GAMar 15Feb 1 to 15Oct 9 to 23
Raleigh, NCMar 28Feb 14 to 28Sep 27 to Oct 11
Greensboro, NCMar 30Feb 16 to Mar 2Sep 24 to Oct 8
Durham, NCMar 31Feb 17 to Mar 3Sep 23 to Oct 7
Winston-Salem, NCMar 30Feb 16 to Mar 2Sep 24 to Oct 8
Chesapeake, VAMar 17Feb 3 to 17Oct 12 to 26
Huntsville, ALMar 24Feb 10 to 24Sep 27 to Oct 11
Fayetteville, NCMar 30Feb 16 to Mar 2Sep 29 to Oct 13
Little Rock, ARMar 21Feb 7 to 21Sep 29 to Oct 13

How to grow grass seedAll zonesGrass Seed in zone 7bGrass Seed in zone 8bAbout zone 8a

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