Where in NC are you?

I suspect you are on the western part of the state based on your summer temperatures... If so, it's not too early to seed.

I suspect it's hard to generalize soil temps based on air temps.

I can tell you that I stuck my meat thermometer into the ground last night (DC area), where temps have been mid/high 80s in day and high 60s at night, and the soil temp was 76-77 deg. under my lawn.

auteck, I live in the same town as you do ;) It's day 5 and no major evidence of germination quite yet. Little stuff in a couple spots.

heimert, when starting a lawn it's the temps at the surface that are of importance since that's where the seed is. Temps will start to abate in the next couple weeks to give the grass its chance to form roots.

I'm just curious if you have 90F daytime peak and 65F nightime peak if that's conducive to germination. May not be ideal but I have to get something going ASAP in prep for selling mh house.

Keeping my fingers crossed.

As long as you don't run the risk of all the new grass germinating, then getting a week or more worth of mid-90 temps that would surely burn it up or a hurricane remnant that would unload 7-8" of rain that mats down all the new grass flat (this happened to me a couple of years ago), then you're probably all right. I found this little site some time ago, and it's been fairly right-on with the soil temps...might help someone else that needs to know this info.

Here is a link that might be useful: mash here

Thanks for the link. Exactly what I was looking for.

I have been lucky the last week. Even though temps are in the 88-92F range, we've had some clouds and a few spot showers.

I have been diligent with the irrigation keeping things just slightly moist.

The good thing about my lawn is that there is enough root structure under the surface from the dead grass that things stay in place when it rains. I also put down wheat straw in the couple places that get full sun.

Germination is happening and I am starting to see some sprouts working their way up in throughout the yard. Certainly a good sign since it's only day 5. The next 7 days are going to be interesting.

It's been mild around here, just slightly below average by late August standards in the Raleigh area with the exception of a few days. No problem seeding right now, forecast on most websites show a steady decline in temperatures; so I say you're good. NC state Univ. recomends seeding on Sept. 1st for the Raleigh area, so you're only couple of weeks ahead; no big deal.

Grass seed germination is enhanced when soil temperatures are in the 90's with warm to cool rainy/cloudy days. The seeds will continue to germinate as long as you keep them moist. Keep watering in the absence of rain. By the time all the seeds have germinated and have matured, temps will be ideal (70's and 50's) for roots to grow deep into the soil.

If you are selling your house and want quick coverage, get some PRG instead of Fescue. You'll have sod in less than 30 days.

BTW, seedlings like not get burn with a few 90 degree days, so don't worry.

Starting to see a lot of little seedlngs popping up over night. And as you mentioned, temps are favorable over the next 7 days.

I thought about throwing down some PRG but the fact that the house will be on the market so soon, I figured it would not make much of a difference.

Early next week there's a couple days with high 70F predicted with chance of showers. Man I hope they get that forecast right!!!