Fall Grass Seed

Shop premium fall grass seed blends for overseeding or new lawn installation. Envy and North Star are 100% weed-free, top-performing cool-season seeds.

Fall is the absolute best time of year to plant grass seed. With cooler temperatures, warm soil, and consistent rainfall, your lawn gets the perfect environment for strong root development before winter. Whether you're overseeding an existing lawn or starting a new one from scratch, seeding in fall gives your turf a head start for a lush, thick lawn come spring.

Why Fall is the Best Time to Seed

  • Warm soil temperatures help grass seed germinate quickly.
  • Cooler air temps reduce stress on young seedlings.
  • Fewer weeds compete with new grass during fall.
  • Stronger roots develop before winter dormancy.

How Much Grass Seed Do You Need?

Use the chart below to determine how much seed to apply:

  • Aeration & Overseeding: 4–5 lbs per 1,000 sq ft
  • New Lawn Installation: 8–10 lbs per 1,000 sq ft

For best results, always measure your lawn square footage and apply seed evenly with a broadcast or drop spreader.

Proper Lawn Preparation is Key

To get your grass seed to germinate and thrive, preparation is essential. Seed that sits on hard or compacted soil won't grow well. Here's what to do:

  1. Loosen the soil with core aeration, dethatching, or light tilling.
  2. Ensure seed-to-soil contact by raking seed into the top layer of soil.
  3. Topdress with wheat straw or peat moss. This is not optional. Without a topdressing layer, your germination rates will be poor. The covering helps retain moisture and humidity—two things critical to getting seed to sprout.

Watering is Critical

Once your seed is down and topdressed, consistent watering is what makes it grow. Keep the top layer of soil moist at all times until the seed germinates—typically 7–14 days. Water lightly 1–2 times a day, especially during dry or windy weather. Once the seed has germinated, gradually reduce watering frequency and increase depth to encourage root growth.

Our Premium Fall Grass Seed Blends

Envy Premium Tall Fescue Grass Seed Blend

Envy is our signature tall fescue blend designed for dark green color, superior density, and drought tolerance. It's ideal for overseeding or new lawn installs in cool-season areas. This blend contains 0% weed seed and is composed of elite turf-type tall fescues that deliver professional-grade performance for homeowners.

North Star Grass Seed Blend

North Star combines our premium Envy tall fescue base with 10% 365SS Kentucky Bluegrass for added sod-forming ability and cold tolerance. It's perfect for northern climates where winter hardiness and deep green color are top priorities. Like Envy, North Star contains 0% weed seed and is 100% pure seed—no coating, no filler, just results.

Whether you're renovating your lawn or planting a brand-new one, our fall grass seed blends are crafted to deliver exceptional results when it matters most. Choose the right seed, prep your soil properly, and follow through with watering and topdressing—and you'll have a lawn you can be proud of.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is fall the best time to plant grass seed?

Fall offers ideal growing conditions: warm soil for fast germination, cooler air for reduced stress, and fewer weed pressures. It gives new grass time to develop strong roots before winter, resulting in a thicker, healthier lawn in spring.

What type of grass seed should I plant in the fall?

Cool-season grasses like tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass are ideal for fall seeding. Our Envy and North Star blends are specifically formulated for fall planting, offering weed-free, professional-grade seed for northern and transition zone lawns.

How much grass seed do I need for overseeding in the fall?

Use 4–5 lbs of grass seed per 1,000 sq ft for overseeding an existing lawn. For new lawn installation, apply 8–10 lbs per 1,000 sq ft for full coverage.

Do I need to prepare the soil before seeding in the fall?

Yes. Seed must make contact with the soil to germinate. Loosen the top layer of soil with core aeration, dethatching, or light raking, then topdress with wheat straw or peat moss to help retain moisture and protect the seed.

Can I just throw grass seed down without topdressing?

You can, but you’ll likely get poor results. Without a light layer of wheat straw or peat moss, most seed will dry out, wash away, or be eaten by birds. Topdressing holds in moisture and humidity—both critical for seed germination.