Dormant seeding to establish or improve your lawn

Dormant seeding is a great strategy to establish or renovate lawns, as it requires minimal site preparation before seeding.

Dormant seeding takes advantage of the natural freeze/thaw cycle over winter to ensure proper seed-to-soil contact, providing a longer window and greater flexibility for seeding. It can be done anytime soil temperatures are below 40°F, which is typically from early November to the middle of March for most of Minnesota.

Early winter offers more opportunities for seeds to reach the soil, but late winter can be effective too.

One disadvantage of dormant seeding is that most crabgrass preemergent herbicides cannot be used, as they will affect the turfgrass seed. Another potential disadvantage is that if germination occurs and the spring is warm and dry, the seedlings could dry out if unwatered.

Regardless, dormant seeding is an excellent strategy for establishing new areas or improving turf density. 

Steps for a successful dormant seeding

Purchase quality seed

A mixture of multiple turfgrass species is recommended based on local site conditions and the intended management and use of the lawn. Dormant seeding works with all cool-season turfgrass species grown for lawns in Minnesota, including Kentucky bluegrass, the fine fescues, and tall fescue. When purchasing seed, buy 10-20% more than necessary to overseed in late spring for any areas that failed to emerge.

With grass seed, you generally get what you pay for. Buying turfgrass seed for Minnesota lawns provides tips on selecting the right grass seed and where to find it.

Initial site preparation

Preparation of the site before seeding is generally minimal. Some site prep may be helpful, depending on the conditions of the area to be dormant-seeded. For example, it may be beneficial to bag tree leaf litter before dormant seeding to ensure the seeds can reach the soil surface.

If your goal is simply to improve turf density for an area, no site preparation is necessary. No soil disturbances are needed for dormant seeding.

If your lawn suffered from a large outbreak of crabgrass, you can take advantage of the dead plant tissue of the annual weeds after frost and drop turfgrass seed directly into the dead crabgrass stand; the decaying leaf tissue will serve as a good mulch for the dormant-seeded grass. If aggressive perennial broadleaf weeds such as creeping Charlie, wild violets, or creeping bellflower are present, consider managing them in the fall before dormant seeding.  

For lawn renovations, use the non-selective herbicide glyphosate to kill off the existing lawn. Spray the lawn with glyphosate in late October and do not remove the existing residue; this will hold the seed in place over winter.

Spread seed

• Spread the seed in dry conditions. If dormant seeding into larger areas, a drop spreader is best.
• Seed half rates in opposite directions for best coverage.
• For smaller areas, you can spread the seed by hand.
• If seeding into bare soil, use a germination or erosion control blanket to hold the seed in place and protect it, especially on sloped sites.
• The seed does not need to be raked after it has been spread. 

Managing seedlings after they have emerged

As air and soil temperatures rise above 40°F, the grass seed may begin to germinate and emerge. Keep an eye on early emergence and be sure the seedlings do not dry out. Irrigation systems may still be turned off, and the site may need manual watering with hoses. 

Mow once a majority of the seedlings are above your normal mowing height (at least 3 inches is best).

A starter fertilizer containing nitrogen and phosphate is generally recommended around the time of the first mowing, especially if your soil is low in phosphorus.

If summer annual grassy weeds like crabgrass are present, they can be treated with a post-emergent product in early summer, after the second or third mowing. Consider dormant seeding again the following fall, especially if pesticide or fertilizer use is limited. 

Frequently asked questions

Can you spread on top of snow as it is melting?

Yes. However, it may be more helpful to see where seed is needed without snow cover. 

Do you need to worry about birds and other critters eating seed?

This is not something we have observed. However, if dormant seeding into thin turf or bare soil without a germination blanket, and seed predation are concerns, consider dormant seeding in late winter or early spring. 

Can I use hydromulch for larger areas instead of germination or erosion control blankets?

Hydromulching can be a cheaper way to establish larger areas (over 0.25 acres) with open or exposed soil. However, there may be limitations with freezing air temperatures affecting the hydromulching equipment.  

Can warm-season species like buffalograss be dormant-seeded?

Warm-season turfgrasses like buffalograss germinate at warmer soil temperatures than cool-season turfgrasses. They can still be dormant-seeded, but summer annual grassy weeds like crabgrass will likely be more competitive than dormant-seeded cool-season turfgrasses.