Everyone desires a beautiful lawn, but people usually focus on maintenance and care.
There may come a time where you have bare spots or unhealthy yards. In these cases, it might be wise to consider the best grass seed.
You can transform the yard into something that looks lush and green. However, it does require a little work and the right products. We talk about choosing the right seed, when to seed the lawn, and how to do it so that you have all the information.
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How to Choose the Right Grass Seed for Your Lawn
The first thing you must do is pick the right grass seed for the lawn. You should look for high-quality products, but you can do this online. Each variety requires specific levels of fertilizer, water, mowing techniques, and pesticides.
For example, the Kentucky bluegrass is a type of turf seed and needs more water and fertilizer to grow strong. Regardless of the kind you prefer, you should invest in something that’s designed to last. Cheaper options can include fillers that you don’t want for your yard.
Without further ado, let’s determine how to choose the seed type you require:
Step 1: Soil Testing
You must start with soil testing for various reasons. Primarily, the pH levels determine if the lawn is going to thrive when it grows. If not, it could look tired and patchy.
Turfgrasses need well-aerated soil with a slightly acidic pH level between 6 and 7. It’s easy to take soil samples.
First, divide the yard into equal quadrants. Take samples from various locations within each section. Measure the depth to about 20 to 25 cm and weigh them to get 300 to 500 grams each.
You can send them to a local or private laboratory. Then, you get the results by email. Consider getting the test kits from your local nursery, online, or from the lab.
It can take about two weeks to get the results. Make sure you’ve planned for that so that you’re ready to plan the grass seeds at the right time.
Step 2: Study Seeds
You should learn what’s available and the types of seeds out there. However, some companies use the ‘variety not stated’ comment on their products. This means you’re getting a mixture and might not know how to care for the seeds as they grow.
Don’t buy a bag of grass seed if there isn’t a label or it doesn’t tell you what you require. Of course, there is bound to be some weed seeds, dust, or crop seeds inside. However, you want the bulk of it to be grass seed in the right variety.
Fillers can include annual ryegrass, creeping red fescue, and Italian ryegrass, among others. If you see any of these on the label, go for a different brand or product.
Step 3: Local Variety Performance
Find out which varieties work well in your area. You can do this online by searching for grass seed performance in your location. Consider going to or calling a local nursery to get this information, as well.
After you’ve done all the research and got your soil sample results, you can pick a seed. You already know your region, the shade amounts on the property, and the maintenance factors to consider. With all that, you can choose some grass seeds that are going to grow fast and lush.
The 12 Best Grass Seeds to Use For Your Lawns
It’s time to start learning about the different grass seed options. We have compiled a list of 12 products. The table below provides quick facts to help you get started.
1. Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Sun and Shade Mix
Scotts is a well-known brand for lawns, and its Turf Building Grass Seed is suitable for shady and sunny areas. It also comes with adequate drought resistance. This means you can use it in the regions that don’t see much rainfall.
It features a four-in-one WaterSmart coating to take in more water and feed the grass with the right nutrients. This prevents disease and ensures that the grass grows lush and beautiful.
Such a versatile mix allows grass to grow in more extreme conditions. It’s going to stay green, even in the hot sun or dense shade. Plus, it’s designed to spread quickly and thicken up so that the lawn is more durable.
You can find it in a 3-, 7-, 20-, and 40-pound bag. The 7-pound version can seed an area of up to 2,800 square feet. However, it’s only suitable for lawns in the northern states, so be aware of this aspect before you buy.
2. Scotts EZ Seed Patch and Repair Sun and Shade
Many times, your lawn looks great except for a few bare patches. If that happens, and you are in the northern states, Scotts has a fix for you. The EZ Seed Patch is just like the first product, but it’s designed to repair patches.
It contains a combination of fertilizer, seed, and mulch to help you grow grass anywhere. This includes shaded and sunny areas. Of course, you still have to care for it properly to ensure that it works right.
The mulch is there to absorb more water. That way, it expands and can surround the seeds in a protective, moist layer. They need this so that they can thrive and start growing, even in drought conditions.
Of course, the fertilizer uses control-release technology, which is exclusive to the brand. That way, you can feed the seeds without having to use another product. This jumpstarts their growth and even promotes better growth, even in the shade.
3. Pennington Smart Sun and Shade Grass Seed
Most people prefer to use grass seed that works in the shade and sun. Pennington offers such a product. Typically, grass seeds need a lot of water. This one, though, is designed to use 30 percent less.
In a sense, you can establish the grass faster, and it’s going to grow quickly without as much water. If you live in a drought-prone area, this is excellent.
You should be aware that it contains a mixture of varieties. This is so that it thrives, regardless of where it is placed. Of course, you see fine-bladed, thick lawns that are a dark, almost blue-green color.
Some of the ingredients inside the package offer insect and disease resistance. This means your tender grass shoots are going to be protected until they can grow tall and establish roots.
The product comes in a 7-pound package. It’s designed to cover roughly 3,300 square feet, making it ideal for almost any situation.
4. Johnathan Green Fast Grow Grass Seed Mix
Most homeowners prefer to work with a well-known brand. However, Johnathan Green products are an excellent option when you want beautiful grass. Many times, it’s important for the grass to germinate quickly.
Luckily, you are going to find that the product is Fast-Grow, which means it germinates in about one to two weeks. Another good thing is it can be used in the shaded and sunny areas of the lawn.
Of course, you should be aware that the product is designed to help with problem areas. You might not desire to use it in a large space. Still, if you have no grass and want it quickly, this is your best bet.
It provides you with a hardy turf. The mixture includes various grass seed options, but they’re all designed to grow quickly.
While it is primarily designed to work within the Midwest, northern and southern states can use it. You may have to adjust the water levels or fertilizer, but it’s possible to achieve great results with it.
5. Johnathan Green 10322 Black Beauty Ultra Grass Seed Mix
Those who want to reseed the entire yard may prefer the Johnathan Green Black Beauty mix. It contains multiple seeds, but they’re all designed for diversity to look great in the area.
You get Kentucky bluegrass, Black Beauty fescue, and Perennial Ryegrass. This helps to create a dark green coloring of the lawn throughout.
The good news is they all grow well in sandy or clay-like soil. That means you don’t require prime conditions. If you have partial shade in some areas, the grass is still going to grow lush and full.
Each blade of grass is going to have a waxy coating. You can’t see it, but it helps to protect from diseases. Also, the grass preserves more of its moisture, making it a suitable product for drought-prone areas.
Of course, the grass is naturally resistant to insects, as well. Never worry that bugs are going to eat the blades and cause it to look uneven or choppy.
6. Canada Green Grass Seed
When you desire to reseed your lawn, you know there are plenty of choices. Canada Green is a promising company that gives you plenty of greenery. However, it works best in the northern states and Canada.
The product can resist bugs and keeps weeds at bay. It’s designed to grow lush, which means weeds don’t have a chance. Plus, it is resilient, so it’s going to last, even during inclement weather.
You’re going to like that the product grows quickly. If you want to fix bare patches or need to reseed the whole lawn, you can have greenery in weeks instead of months.
Typically, golf course owners use it, but it also works in residential places and some commercial properties. Keep in mind that golf courses have different grass; you may dislike that feature around your home.
Of course, you get 6 pounds of the product, but they come in 2-pound bags. That way, you don’t have to open a large bag and risk wasting it.
7. GreenView 2829337 Fairway Formula Grass Seed
The GreenView brand offers an all-purpose seed, and it’s designed to be used during the cool season. It contains a mixture of Kentucky Bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and various fescues. This indicates that it’s going to grow well in any area of the yard, regardless of shade or sun.
There are no fillers or coatings, making it a pure grass seed. It’s also almost 100 percent free of weeds. The mixture is top-rated to provide the best quality possible. This also ensures maximum coverage.
Of course, the mixture is designed for areas that see between four and eight hours of sunlight. Therefore, it works for partially shaded areas but might not be suitable for densely shady spots. It’s also important to water it thoroughly each day until the seeds sprout.
Don’t be alarmed that there are multiple seed options. This mixture is designed to ensure success so that the grass grows lush and is a dark-green color. Perennials germinate faster, and the other varieties fill in the gaps to produce a healthier and more vibrant lawn.
8. Scotts Turf Builder Thick’R Lawn Sun and Shade
Do you have a thin lawn with small bare patches? Many homeowners find themselves in this situation, but there’s hope. The Scotts brand can make the yard fuller and thicker with the Thick’R product.
This three-in-one solution includes a soil improver, fertilizer, and seeds needed. You can fill in the gaps within the lawn or use it to reseed everything.
Of course, the fertilizer gives the grass appropriate nutrients. That way, it wants to grow and thrives in almost any condition.
With the soil improver, the roots become more developed and go down farther. This is essential so that the grass is strong and lasts throughout the year.
You do require a spreader to use the product. However, you only need one application to get a thicker lawn of up to 50 percent. Remember, proper care is required to achieve your goals.
9. Pennington Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue Grass Seed
When your lawn doesn’t see the full sun all the time, you can still achieve your goals. Pennington offers a Kentucky fescue grass seed that grows well in medium-shaded spaces, as well as full sunlight. It’s also a durable and low-maintenance product, so you can spend less time making it look great.
The lawn is going to look light green and be drought-resistant. If you live in areas with little rainfall, you are going to appreciate that feature.
Most people want a lawn that can handle foot traffic. The fescue grasses are robust enough to hold up well in such conditions, so it looks beautiful every day.
You’re also going to enjoy that it establishes itself easily. You’re not going to worry about it dying or being overtaken by weeds. In fact, it offers a Penkoted technology to protect the grass from various fungi, and one package can cover 6,240 square feet.
10. WaterSaver Lawn Seed Mixture
The WaterSaver brand is all you require for seeds. It’s very low-maintenance and can help to repair your current turf. In fact, it can knit together the lawn by filling in open or damaged spots so that you require less mowing and water.
Of course, the seeds are designed to grow in shade and sun. If you’re in a transitional climate zone or in the north, you can still use it effectively.
You’re going to find that it contains the patented RTF fescue, which creates a stronger root system. There can also be fewer weeds and over-seeding issues. Plus, the fescue grass produces a thicker, more even lawn all the time.
Another benefit is that it can withstand bad weather conditions. It also keeps green and vibrant colors. If that weren’t enough, it can protect itself against diseases and insects, as well as drought.
11. X-Seed Ultra Premium Quick and Thick Lawn Seed Mixture
Homeowners often prefer a grass seed that germinates quickly. They aren’t disappointed with the X-Seed brand. It’s designed to fill in the bare spots to provide a thicker, lusher yard.
Of course, it works in shady and sunny areas. However, it’s best to be used in the northern and central regions of the United States. One of the best things about it is that it comes back each year, so you don’t have to reseed all the time.
One 20-pound package covers up to 14,000 square feet if you’re using it to fill in bare spots. If you’re creating a whole new lawn, it only works for 7,000 square feet. Still, this gives you a better idea of how much to purchase to create a healthy yard.
This product is a mixture of different grasses, which ultimately works best in most areas. You get turf-style Perennial ryegrass (55 percent), fine fescue (30 percent), and Kentucky bluegrass (15 percent).
12. Mountain View Seeds Natures Own Sun & Shade Mix Grass Seed
When your yard has some shade, and you don’t want to use two products, Mountain View can help. Its grass seed is designed to work in all conditions because of the versatile mixture.
Of course, it’s formulated with the best varieties out there. You get fine fescue, Perennial ryegrass, and Kentucky bluegrass. All of these mixed together provide you with a fine-bladed, green, and thick lawn.
It’s also going to be resistant to disease and insects. That means the lawn is hardy and ready for anything. You can even walk on it without worrying about bending the blades of grass.
Each seed comes with a coating that makes for quicker germination. In about 10 days, you’ve got grass growing that is going to make the lawn beautiful again.
When Is the Best Time to Plant Grass Seed?
The time to plant your grass seed depends on whether it’s the warm- or cold season. Typically, warm-season grasses are used between March and September. However, this does depend on the weather patterns and your location.
Ultimately, you need a mild winter and hot summer. It goes dormant in winter or fall and grows again in the summer. They often require less water, so they work well in drought conditions.
Warm-season grasses include Zoysia grass, Bermuda grass, St. Augustine grass, Buffalo grass, Carpet grass, Bahia grass, and Centipede grass. Typically, they creep to cover the entire yard.
On the other hand, cool-season grasses are used between mid-August and October. It still depends on weather conditions and location.
Generally, they grow during the fall and spring and go dormant in the summer. Therefore, they work well in areas where the winter gets below freezing temperatures and other seasons are above 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15.5°C).
How to Plant Grass Seed?
Now that you know when to plant your grass seed, it’s important to do it right. Whether you’re over-seeding the current lawn or starting a new one, the principles are the same.
We explain the general steps, but you should pay close attention to the instructions on the package for the best results.
Prepare the ground. Till it to 3 inches deep. Rake it all to remove any large chunks and smooth out the surface.
Add appropriate nutrients. Use some fertilizer or compost and work it into the soil.
Plant the seeds. Spread your grass seed at rates shown on the package. Sow half of it in a single direction and the other half going the opposite way, making a crisscross pattern.
Protect your seeds. Rake over the area again to make sure the seeds are covered with some soil. You can use erosion-control blankets or mulch to prevent the seeds from being washed or blown away.
Water the seeds. Don’t saturate the seeds, but keep them moist. When it reaches 1 inch high, water it once a day.
Mow and weed the area. When the grass is about 3 inches high, make sure that you mow it. Do this three times before you create a regular watering schedule.
Once you’ve mown the grass four times, use crabgrass controlling products to prevent that weed from rising. You can also apply a weed killer if needed at this point.
That means you can choose either product based on your needs. Still, they’re from the same manufacturer, so you know you’re getting the best. You can also choose from various sizes to reduce waste and cover the entire lawn.
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