Reseeding your lawn is best accomplished in two different seasons. You can plant grass in the spring before it gets hot, or you can plant it in the fall. In most cases planting your grass seed in the fall is the best option. This will give your grass plenty of time to mature before the heat of the summer and possible droughts have a chance to damage it.
Understanding what type of grass to plant in your yard is an entirely different issue. There are numerous varieties available at most hardware and garden shops. It is important to learn a few basics about grass seed before you settle on a variety for your home. In the end you may not want to plant grass seed at all and choose to go with a plug instead!
Your location will play an important role in the type of grass you select. If you divide the country into three horizontal sections you would get a rough idea about the growing zones for plants. The upper section would require cold weather grass, the lowest section would require warm weather grass, and the middle section relies on both.
Cold Weather Grass: Kentucky Bluegrass, Perennial Ryegrass
Warm Weather Grass: Bermuda, Zoysia
In Between Grass: Tall Fescue
Each different type of grass has its own unique requirements. Some grass varieties do well when planted from seed while others do best when grown from plugs. You will also notice that every variety should be mowed at a predetermined height. There are grass seeds that are very low maintenance and some that require a great deal of maintenance. Understanding each of these requirements will allow you to grow the best lawn possible to accommodate your needs.
It is also important to understand that most grass varieties that do well in the southern states will turn brown during the winter. The primary growing period for these types of grasses is during the summer months.
In many cases it is easier to grow a healthy lawn in the northern states. Cold weather grass tends to grow better from seed and typically requires less maintenance compared to its southern counterparts. Cold weather grass tends to stay green for the majority of the year. This type of grass also has two periods of strong growth. The primary growing season is in the spring and the secondary growing season is in the fall. Growth during the summer months is limited.