Summer can be cruel to lawns. The heat can fry it, or the kids decide to dig for treasure, or there’s one vole that took an intense liking to your yard, even though it had plenty to pick from. Usually it’s all three. When summer ends, the yard could use some patching.

But can you plant grass seeds in the fall? Flowers are planted in the spring, after all. What if the grass doesn’t like the cooler temperatures? What if the frost gets it? What if all the effort you put in just leaves you with two little blades poking up?

Relax. Grass loves the cooler weather of fall. Planting in the spring is actually harder. Fall is the perfect time to seed because the sun isn’t as intense, and the weeds that are competing for the same space are slowing down. The best window for planting is mid-August through September. Your soil will be able to hold moisture better, and the seeds should be established in time to survive the winter.

The area where you seed should be mostly level with a slight slope away from your house or any building. A steep slope will wash the seed away before it gets the chance to take root. Clear the area of debris and loosen the soil if its been compacted so the seeds can dig in. You may want to lay down some compost or peat moss to give the seed a boost. Feeding them isn’t necessary when you plant in the fall. What seed you should buy really depends on your area. Your local garden center can give you recommendations.

Even if you don’t have any bare spots, you might want to grab a bag of seed. Over seeding (when you spread seed on an already established lawn) can help it stay dense and lush. Late summer and fall is great time for this, too.

With time and careful watering, your lawn should be looking good by the end of the season. Just in time for that treasure hunt to start up again.