When to plant kentucky bluegrass
Sow kentucky bluegrass outdoors 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost and plant again for fall 4 to 6 weeks before the first fall frost.
Your dates for kentucky bluegrass
Set your ZIP code at the top of the page and we will work out when to plant kentucky bluegrass where you live, from the frost records of the nearest NOAA weather station. Your ZIP code is remembered on this device only.
Kentucky Bluegrass planting dates by zone
| Zone | Sow outdoors | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 2a | Jun 3 to 17 | — |
| Zone 3a | May 28 to Jun 11 | — |
| Zone 3b | May 24 to Jun 7 | — |
| Zone 4a | May 19 to Jun 2 | — |
| Zone 4b | May 14 to 28 | — |
| Zone 5a | May 11 to 25 | — |
| Zone 5b | May 10 to 24 | — |
| Zone 6a | May 4 to 18 | — |
| Zone 6b | Apr 26 to May 10 | Sep 10 to 24 |
| Zone 7a | Apr 19 to May 3 | Sep 13 to 27 |
| Zone 7b | Apr 9 to 23 | Sep 20 to Oct 4 |
| Zone 8a | Mar 25 to Apr 8 | Sep 26 to Oct 10 |
| Zone 8b | Mar 11 to 25 | Oct 2 to 16 |
| Zone 9a | Feb 20 to Mar 6 | Oct 15 to 29 |
| Zone 9b | Dec 20 to Jan 3 | Oct 28 to Nov 11 |
Spring dates before the last frost assume the soil has thawed and is dry enough to work. After a late or wet spring, wait for that even if the date has passed.
Where frost is rare
Kentucky bluegrass grows best in cool fall, winter and spring weather. In warm to hot parts of California it performs poorly in summer and needs frequent irrigation because of its shallow roots. In Florida it is only a temporary winter overseeding option (about 3 lb seed per 1,000 sq ft), with ryegrass the preferred choice.
How to grow kentucky bluegrassYour full planting calendar
Sources
- Kentucky Bluegrass Lawns · K-State Research and Extension (Ford County)
- Kentucky Bluegrass · Penn State Extension
- Lawn Establishment · Penn State Extension
- AY-20 Seeding a Turf Area in the Spring · Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service
- Kentucky bluegrass - Poa pratensis (UC Guide to Healthy Lawns) · UC Statewide IPM Program, University of California ANR
- Planting and management tips for Kentucky bluegrass · UC Statewide IPM Program, University of California ANR
- Grass seed germination rates · UC Statewide IPM Program, University of California ANR
- Starting a New Lawn · University of Maryland Extension
- Choose the right grass seed for a thriving lawn · University of Illinois Extension
- Northern Utah Turfgrass Management Calendar · Utah State University Extension
- Time for Fall Lawn Seeding · University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension (Lancaster County)
- AGR-50 Lawn Establishment in Kentucky · University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service
- ENH14 Overseeding Florida Lawns for Winter Color (2007 revision, archival) · University of Florida IFAS Extension (EDIS)