When is the best time to sow lawn seed?

Autumn can be an unpredictable season, with both wet and dry periods depending on where you live.

Many gardeners are asking, “When is the best time to sow lawn seed?” The answer depends on the type of lawn you’re planting and the time of year. While mid-autumn can be too late for some warm-season grasses, it’s actually an ideal period for cool-season varieties like fescue, rye, and bluegrass.

Why Autumn is Ideal for Lawn Seeding

Autumn is one of the best times to sow lawn seed in Australia because of its moderate temperatures and consistent rainfall. The soil is still warm from summer, which helps grass seeds germinate faster, while cooler daytime temperatures reduce evaporation and stress on young seedlings.

Another key advantage of autumn seeding is reduced weed competition. Many weeds slow their growth as temperatures drop, giving your new grass a head start. By establishing strong roots before winter, your lawn will be better equipped to thrive when spring arrives.

For homeowners who want a lush, green lawn year-round, autumn offers a perfect window to plant grass seed and set the foundation for healthy growth.

For New Lawns:

Establishing a lawn from seed isn't as popular as it used to be, however, it's still an excellent and cost-effective alternative to turf. While you can't sow warm-season varieties now, you can sow a cool-season variety for cover now and through winter, and then oversow with a warm-season variety in the Spring. While it may seem arduous to sow a lawn twice, it's a good option and one that will cost you only a fraction of the cost of instant turf. 

If you do sow now, expect a slower germination time due to the cooler weather and cooler soil temperatures.

For Oversowing

Oversowing can be a real handy solution if you find yourself with a patchy or poor-looking lawn now leading into Winter. As lawns like kikuyu, couch and buffalo start transitioning into Winter dormancy, you can find that they can become patchy and can loose colour. Oversowing is often overlooked as a means to improve the appearance of a lawn; however, it can be a really good way to green up your lawn now and through the winter months. If you're looking to sell your home, it's a fantastic way to green up a lawn quickly. 

For oversowing couch: Use fine leaf rye. This variety has a fine blade similar to couch and will blend in really well. It's shade tolerant and will look good now and right through Winter. Germination typically takes 14 days or more at this time of year.

For oversowing kikuyu and buffalo: Use tall fescue. Once mature, Tall fescue has a broad blade, similar in colour and texture to these varieties and, like fine-leaf rye, will germinate now and look good throughout winter. Germination typically takes 14 days or more at this time of year.

Autumn is an excellent time to sow cool-season grasses, but it's best to act quickly. While you will still get germination during Winter, you will get much faster results now while there is still some warmth around.

Effective Lawn Seeding Techniques

To achieve the best results when sowing lawn seed, preparation and timing are key.

• Prepare the soil: Remove weeds, rocks, and debris, and loosen the top 5–10 cm of soil to improve root penetration.
• Fertilise before seeding: Use a starter fertiliser high in phosphorus to promote root growth.
• Sow evenly: Use a spreader for uniform coverage and lightly rake the soil to ensure the seed makes good contact.
• Water consistently: Keep the surface moist but not waterlogged, watering lightly every day until seedlings establish.
• Avoid mowing too early: Wait until the new grass reaches 6–8 cm before the first mow to avoid damaging young plants.

Consistent care during the first six weeks will make the biggest difference to your lawn’s long-term success.

Common Lawn Seeding Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced gardeners can make simple mistakes that affect seed germination and growth. Here are some to watch out for:

• Sowing at the wrong time: Warm-season seeds planted too late in autumn may not germinate before winter dormancy.
• Poor soil preparation: Skipping soil conditioning can lead to uneven growth and weak root systems.
• Over or under watering: Too much water can rot seeds, while too little causes them to dry out.
• Using the wrong seed type: Always match your seed to your local climate and sunlight conditions.
• Neglecting aftercare: Failure to fertilise and mow correctly can stunt early growth.

Avoiding these pitfalls ensures a healthy, even lawn that’s ready to thrive when the seasons change.

Conclusion

Autumn remains one of the best times to plant grass seed in Australia, particularly cool-season varieties that thrive in mild conditions. Whether you’re establishing a new lawn or oversowing an existing one, acting now will give your lawn a strong start and lasting colour through the cooler months.

Autumn is an excellent time to sow cool-season grasses, but it's best to act quickly. While you will still get germination during winter, you will get much faster results now while there is still some warmth around.