Pros and Cons to a Fall vs. Spring Seeding

We prefer sowing native seeds in the fall, but seeds can be planted fall, spring or dead of winter; this chart lists the pros and cons of each season. Seeds should not be planted in the summer.

TIME ADVANTAGE DISADVANTAGE
Fall
(plant mid October until the ground freezes)
  • Clay soils are easier to work in the fall than the spring
     
  • Higher forb/sedge germination in the first growing season
     
  • High moisture conditions at time of germination; less watering needed
  • Cold moist stratification will natually occur; most species will germinate in the spring
  • Early establishment of warm season grasses can be inhibited -Cool season weeds become competition for new seedlings in spring
  • Erosion prone sites need cover crop seeding which is earlier and separate from the native sowing
Frost
(plant in early winter just before snowfall or snow free periods until spring)
  • No raking or packing of site -Higher forb/sedge germination in the first growing season
  • High moisture conditions at time of germination; less watering needed
  • Cold moist stratification will natually occur; most species will germinate in the spring
  • Early establishment of warm season grasses can be inhibited -Cool season weeds become competition for new seedlings in spring
  • Erosion prone sites need cover crop seeding which is earlier and separate from the native sowing
Spring
(plant in March until May)
  • Cool season weeds can be eliminated before planting
     
  • On erosion prone sites a cover crop can be mixed and planted at the same time as the natives
     
  • Optimal for warm season grasses
     
  • More time to do thorough soil preparation and spring weed control
  • 1 year delay in germination for those forbs/sedges which require cold moist stratification
  • Need of additional early mowing mid-May to early June -More watering needed, especially if seed is cold moist stratified
  • Clay soil is more difficult to work with