When to Plant Grass Seed in BC
Coast, Interior and North have three different seeding seasons. Here are the dates for each, from the same six-week rule.
When to plant grass seed in BC depends on which BC you live in. On the south coast the first frost comes late, so seeding can run into October. In the Okanagan and Thompson the deadline is late August to early September. In Prince George it is the end of July.
The coast has a second difference: a wet winter, where moss and waterlogged soil are a bigger threat to new grass than cold.
BC grass seeding at a glance: Vancouver: into mid-October. Victoria: into late October. Abbotsford: by about September 20. Kelowna and Kamloops: by late August to early September. Prince George: by the end of July. In spring, wait until the soil is above 10°C.
Seeding somewhere else in Canada? See When to Plant Grass Seed in Canada for every region in one table.
BC Grass Seeding Dates by City
| City | Zone | Avg last spring frost | Avg first fall frost | Fall: seed by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victoria | 8b | Mar 10 | Dec 15 | Nov 3 |
| Vancouver | 8b | Mar 15 | Nov 30 | Oct 19 |
| Abbotsford | 8a | Apr 11 | Nov 1 | Sep 20 |
| Kelowna | 6b | May 5 | Oct 15 | Sep 3 |
| Kamloops | 6b | May 4 | Oct 9 | Aug 28 |
| Prince George | 4a | Jun 1 | Sep 10 | Jul 30 |
The fall dates use this site’s rule for every lawn page: seed at least six weeks before the average first fall frost, so the grass has time to root before winter. The frost dates are Environment and Climate Change Canada normals; every date in the table is counted from them, not typed.
The Coast: Long Fall, Wet Winter
Vancouver, Victoria and the Fraser Valley have the latest seeding dates in Canada. Fall rain does much of the watering. The risk on the coast is not frost but moss: Washington State University’s guidance on lawn moss ties it to shade, poor drainage, compaction and acid soil, which describes many coastal lawns. Seeding into a moss-choked lawn without fixing those conditions rarely lasts. See lawn moss on the BC coast.
The Interior: Late August to Early September
Kelowna and Kamloops have hot, dry summers and an earlier fall. Seed by late August in Kamloops and early September in Kelowna and plan to water: new grass in the Interior dries out fast. Check local watering rules before you start; see lawn watering restrictions.
The North: Late July
In Prince George the first fall frost arrives in early September, so the six-week deadline falls at the end of July. Spring seeding, once the soil warms, is a sound alternative.
Spring Seeding
In spring, the University of Saskatchewan says grass seed germinates best once the soil is above 10°C. Soil lags behind the air, so it suggests waiting for daytime temperatures of about 15°C. That usually means two to four weeks after the last spring frost.
Getting the Seed to Take
Keep the seed moist until it comes up: the University of Saskatchewan says to water daily, or even twice a day, and that new grass takes about two weeks to germinate and be ready to walk on. Press the seed into the soil so it makes good contact; seed sitting on top of thatch rarely takes.
For a coastal or Interior mix, see the best grass seed for BC. For the year’s other lawn jobs, see the lawn care calendar.
Further east: when to plant grass seed in Quebec · in Atlantic Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant grass seed in BC?
It depends on the region. On the south coast, September into October. In the Okanagan and Thompson, by late August to early September. In Prince George, by the end of July.
When should I plant grass seed in Vancouver?
September into mid-October. Vancouver has one of the latest first frosts in Canada, so the six-week deadline falls in mid-October.
When should I plant grass seed in Kelowna?
By early September, and keep it watered. The Okanagan's first frost comes in mid-October.
Why does my new lawn on the coast fill with moss?
Moss thrives in shade, poorly drained, compacted and acid soil. Seeding alone does not fix those conditions.
Can I plant grass seed in spring instead?
Yes. Seed once the soil is above 10°C, which the University of Saskatchewan says usually means daytime temperatures of about 15°C. Spring-seeded grass needs regular watering through its first summer.
What if I miss the fall deadline?
Wait for spring rather than seeding late into fall. Seed sown too close to freeze-up comes up tender and often does not survive the winter.
Sources
- University of Saskatchewan, Gardening at USask — Lawns
- Washington State University Hortsense — Lawn and Turf: Moss
- Environment and Climate Change Canada — Canadian Climate Normals (the frost dates in the tables, read from this site’s frost data)