5 Grasses You Can Still Plant Now for a Beautiful Fall Lawn, According to a Turf Expert

Whether you’re starting a brand new lawn or you just want to spruce up a patchy looking yard with new grass, there’s still time to plant fresh grass seed this year.

Although many homeowners only think about planting grass seed in spring, there are a few attractive turf grass options that can be planted in late summer to early fall for a lush and green autumn lawn.

Learn from a turf grass pro which types of grass are best for late summer and fall planting, and discover sowing tips to help freshly planted grass settle in right.

Tall Fescue

When it comes to grass varieties that are ideal for cool northern climates, tall fescue is hard to beat.

“Breeding efforts have enhanced its texture and color, building on a species that was already known for excellent drought tolerance and reduced requirements for nutrients and pest control,” says turfgrass science professor Edward Nangle.

Not only is tall fescue cold tolerant and relatively pest resistant, but it also grows quickly, can handle a fair amount of foot traffic, and can tolerate heat, drought, and shade.

Best of all, tall fescue is perfectly content whether you plant it in spring or fall, just as long as temperatures are hovering somewhere between 50 and 65°F.

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Bermuda Grass

While fescue is popular in northern gardens, Nangle mentions that Bermuda grass is also a top pick in the southern United States.

If you want to plant this warm season grass, sow it before cold weather sets in. You can also help grass seed establish more readily by raking the soil flat and blending a bit of compost in before planting.

Among its many charms, Bermuda grass is drought tolerant and easy to care for, but it may not be appropriate for every yard as it can become invasive in some areas.

Zoysia Grass

Another option for warm areas, Zoysia grass is an excellent Bermuda grass alternative that’s become even more desirable in recent years thanks to careful plant breeding.

“Advances in Zoysia grass breeding have significantly improved its color, shade tolerance, and input efficiency,” Nangle says.

Like Bermuda grass, Zoysia grass can become invasive in some areas, but is generally an easy care turf grass option that can handle foot traffic and heat with ease. Just make sure to plant this grass while the weather is still warm, and water it regularly while its establishing.

Kentucky Bluegrass

Although this grass is technically from Europe, not Kentucky, Kentucky bluegrass is a cold tolerant cool season grass that’s named for the striking, bluish-green color of its blades.

Tolerant of foot traffic and pet damage, Kentucky bluegrass requires a bit more attention than some other grass varieties, and it’s not tolerant of heat or drought.

However, Kentucky bluegrass can bring a lot of color to lawns and feels plush underfoot. Not to mention, this grass variety establishes best when it’s planted in the cool weather of early fall, although it can be sown in spring, too.

Perennial Ryegrass

Ryegrass comes in both annual and perennial varieties and it’s important to not get them mixed up.

Annual ryegrass only lives for a season and is often used as a green manure or cover crop in veggie beds. However, perennial ryegrass will return year after year even in cool areas, and it can be a great easy-care lawn option for many homeowners.

This cool season grass grows quickly and is generally resistant to pests and disease, but it doesn’t do well in shade or hot weather and can look a bit patchy at times. An easy workaround is to plant perennial ryegrass with another grass type, or to choose a lawn grass seed blend that includes perennial ryegrass with other grass seeds that have similar care requirements.

Cool weather helps perennial ryegrass establish faster, so plan to sow this grass in early fall when temperatures are between 50 and 65°F. Water well while the plants are still young, and consider sprinkling loose straw over newly planted patches of grass seed to keep birds from eating them before they sprout.