Jonathan Green's Black Beauty Original Grass Seed contains our most drought-tolerant turf grasses that blend into and improve any lawn. The Black Beauty breakthrough in turfgrass breeding led to the creation of a new family of elite turf-type tall fescues that are naturally darker green in color, uniform in leaf texture, will not shred when mown and will thrive even under adverse growing conditions. The best time to apply seed is mid-August to mid-October while the ground is still warm and the nights are cooler. Mid-March through mid-May is the next best time to plant, when the soil temperature reaches 55 degrees Fahrenheit and the temperature of the air stays consistently warm. Apply half of the seed with a rotary spreader in one direction (north to south) and the remainder in the opposite direction (east to west). It is beneficial to spread a new seeding fertilizer that is high in phosphorus at this time as well. Rake lightly into the ground with a metal rake. Walk with light, even footsteps on the seedbed to firm the soil around the seed. Do not bury the seed more than 1/4 of an inch deep.