Missouri is notorious for its annual weather roller coaster. As the saying goes, if you don’t like the weather, just wait a minute. These constantly changing weather conditions make it difficult to determine when to plant grass seed or lay sod in Missouri.
This guide should help you answer that question, as well as give you an idea what type of grasses do well in MO.
What type of grass seed does best in Missouri?
The most commonly used types of grass seed that thrive well in Missouri are Kentucky bluegrass, bermuda, and fescue. Kentucky bluegrass has a deep root system which makes it very drought-resistant, so if you live in an area with high grass or soil that dries out very frequently, this is the best option for you. Bermuda grows well in warm climates and will never turn brown after being cut. Fescue does not fare very well in warmer climates but thrives in cooler weather.
How long does it take to lay sod in Missouri?
The length of time it takes to lay sod depends on your location within the state and specifically, your climate. For instance, if you live near the St. Louis region, you can expect to lay sod in two days because your climate is very easily manageable for grass growth. However, if you live near the Kansas City area, it could take around a week to lay sod due to the larger distance and hotter climate that it takes time for sod to travel and grow in.
Sod typically arrives laid out onto a pallet and wrapped in plastic. Some companies will place sod right onto your lawn and roll it out, but most will give you a time frame and ask that you lay the sod out at that time. Make sure to carefully inspect your pallet before laying the sod to make sure there are no dents or holes from transportation.
How long does it take grass seed to germinate in Missouri?
It takes grass seed around two weeks to fully germinate. As previously stated, the best time to sow grass seed is around the first week of March when temperatures are right for growing green shoots. Make sure you water your lawn every day after seeding until green shoots start popping out!
What is the best time of year to plant grass seed in Missouri?
The best time of year to sow grass seed is in early spring when the soil has started to warm up and you can see green shoots popping out of the ground. Spring typically starts in March in Missouri, but this date differs depending on your location within the state. Generally, it’s safe to start seeing grass grow in the state around the first week of March, but this date will vary throughout the entire state. If you wait much longer than that to sow your seed, it will become too hot and dry out for grass to grow.
Seeding Rate? Missouri Seeding Rate
1.5 lbs./1000 sq. ft. or approximately 125 lbs./acre for Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, and perennial ryegrass mix. One 60 lb. bag covers 1000 sq. ft., so about 1/2 bag per 1000 sq feet will be plenty to cover your yard with a new layer of grass!
Seeding depth? 1/2 inch.
Multiply the sq footage by 1/2 inch to determine how many pounds you need. You can use a simple multiplication problem to figure out exactly how much seed you will need to cover your yard with a fresh layer of grass: For example, if you have an area of your yard that measures 200 square feet, the calculation would be as follows:
Multiply the sq footage by 1/2 inch to determine how many pounds you need.
200 x 0.5 = 100 So you will need approximately two 50-pound bags of grass seed for this particular area.
The right grass seed will grow well with little effort. It’ll even grow right on top of the soil.
Conclusion
Every State is different. The best grass seed for MO is not going to be the best grass seed for Maryland.
You can always use grasses that are native to Missouri if you want a virtually maintenance-free yard. Good luck with your grass. We hope that this guide to when to plant grass in Missouri was helpful to you. Please leave a comment if you can help someone else with their yard.
sources:
https://extension.missouri.edu/p/G6222
http://www.lawnandlandscape.com/lawn-faqs-when-to-lay-sod%E2%80%A6/5097/#i6
http://muextension.missouri.edu