Why is fall seeding typically better than spring seeding?

Fall seeding is often considered advantageous primarily due to reduced competition from germinating weeds. During the fall, many annual weeds are coming to the end of their life cycle, and the cool temperatures typically slow down seed germination and growth. As a result, newly sown grass seeds face less competition for nutrients, sunlight, and water during their critical germination and establishment phase. This leads to better growth rates and helps promote a denser, healthier turf.

The other options do not provide the same level of benefits. While higher temperatures in fall might be a misconception, in many regions, fall temperatures begin to cool, which can encourage the best conditions for seed germination and root establishment without the stress of hot summer temperatures. Additionally, while watering is important for new seedlings, the statement that more watering is needed in the fall does not necessarily hold true; in fact, fall often sees more natural rainfall. Immediate turf establishment is also not guaranteed, and the seeding process usually takes time regardless of the season.