7 Best Lawn Grass Seed in 2023 [Tested!] (2023)

FAQs

7 Best Lawn Grass Seed in 2023 [Tested!]? ›

The turf-type fescue family is the best grass seed for variation. Members include fine fescue, creeping fescue, hard fescue and tall fescue grasses (such as Kentucky 31 tall fescue). Due to the variety, tolerance of certain conditions varies.

The turf-type fescue family is the best grass seed for variation. Members include fine fescue, creeping fescue, hard fescue and tall fescue grasses (such as Kentucky 31 tall fescue). Due to the variety, tolerance of certain conditions varies.

What type of seeds grow the fastest? Bermuda grass is the fastest-growing warm season grass, germinating in as little as 10 days. Ryegrass, which grows in cool climates, also germinates that quickly.

Zoysia is ideal because it actually grows differently. It sends out runners or "stolons," expanding sideways more than it grows tall. This is why it is so dense and effective at choking out most summer weeds and replacing existing grass.

Pennington has more seeds per pound. Scotts seeds are known to have a superior germination rate. The company offers a firm guarantee. Scotts seeds are foolproof for the gardening novices and the normal areas with the combination sun-shade areas.

Overseeding can help you get back to the thick, lush, green lawn you've always wanted. By spreading grass seed over your existing lawn, you can thicken up the thin areas, and your lawn will start to look terrific again. (This is different from reseeding, which is when you start over and plant a completely new lawn.)

Some of the fastest-growing grass types include Perennial Ryegrass, Annual Ryegrass, Fine-leaf Fescues, Kentucky Bluegrass, and Bentgrasses.

Zoysia Grass

In fact, it's known as being one of the easiest turfgrasses. That's because it can withstand drought conditions and survive in poor soil conditions with little maintenance required. Zeon zoysiagrass is especially popular for its superb qualities.

The important part, when you buy grass seed for your yard, is that the old motto holds true – “you get what you pay for.” Higher quality seed will have better quality varieties, will be more free of weed seeds, and more free of “other crop” seeds.

Scotts Turf Builder is our pick for Best Overall Weed and Feed. Not only does it suppress 250 species, but it is also easy to use, and works on just about every grass type. For a product that busts weeds but not your budget, we recommend GreenView Weed & Feed for its heavy nitrogen content, allowing for quick green-up.

Can I use too much grass seed? ›

Don't overdo or cut corners. Too much grass seed causes undue competition for resources such as light, water and nutrients, and grass seedlings struggle as a result. Too little seed leaves lawns thin or bare.

The best month to put grass seed down depends on the type of grass you have. The best time to plant grass seed for cool-season grasses is in early fall or around September. For warm-season grasses, late spring or early summer is the optimal time.

Perennial ryegrass is used for the very toughest applications, premiership football pitches, showgrounds, racetracks etc. Over recent years, new varieties of amenity perennial ryegrass have been cultivated to produce finer leaves in order to produce attractive, lush green lawns.

Many of our clients often ask us the question, “Should I plant grass seed or kill the weeds first?” The answer is rather simple. The weeds should be killed first. Any weeds and poor looking grass around the lawn should be killed before any seeds are planted.

When it comes to seeding a weed-covered lawn, there are two options. You can either spot treat the weeds or thin them. Either way it is important to free up some space for the fresh grass seed to germinate. Both of these approaches have benefits, so it comes down to picking the right option for your lawn.

Mondo Grass is one of the best ground covers that kills weeds because it has a vigorous growth habit and spreads easily. Growing across the United States in USDA hardiness zones 6-10, this dwarf shrub prefers full shade to part shade for best results.

Once you finish spreading the seed, use a rake to lightly work it into the soil at a depth of about 1/4 inch. Don't bury the seeds any deeper; grass seed needs adequate light to germinate quickly. After raking, pass over the area with a roller, which helps ensure the good seed-to-soil contact your new seed needs.

Do not put top soil over grass seed, but you can add a thin layer of organic matter to help the seed to germinate. 'Never put topsoil over newly planted grass seed,' says Yamaguchi. 'This won't provide healthy growing conditions – it will actually prevent the seedlings from sprouting by essentially suffocating them.'

Will grass seed germinate on top of the soil? Yes; in fact, germination will suffer if too much soil is placed on top of the seeds. The experts at Jonathan Green recommend placing a thin layer of mulch or topsoil over them to help keep them moist and warm and promote growth.

Kentucky Bluegrass

It has a deep greenish and sometimes a bluish color and has a coarse, dry texture when touched. Kentucky Bluegrass has an intense root system below the soil. For this reason, it is classified as being an extremely thick and durable grass.

What is the hardiest grass to plant? ›

Perennial ryegrass is the most durable variety of grass, so it is the most popular grass for golf courses in northern climates. This is a kind of grass with tough blades and a strong root system. As well, it withstands heavy foot traffic, is fast-growing, and is drought-resistant.

The deepest roots for a common turf grass in lawn situations belong to Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon), which reaches depths of 8 feet in mowed conditions. Hardy in USDA zones 7 through 10, this warm-season grass can suffer winter damage at the northern limits of its zones.

Tall fescue and fine fescue are cool-season grasses, but Pennington says this grass can be grown anywhere in the United States. This seed can be used to fill bare spots in your lawn or to seed a new lawn. It also tolerates foot traffic well and is resistant to disease.

Normally a lawn should be watered deeply but infrequently, but when you are watering for new grass seed, you must water every day. Set automatic timers for about 5 to 10 minutes, early in the morning, and again at mid-day. Watering done by hand or hose-end sprinklers must be consistent and evenly applied.

Coated seed offers a small benefit of keeping the seed moist, but ultimately has little quality assurance and provides nearly half the amount of coverage as uncoated seed. Uncoated grass seed gives you 100% of the desired quantity and allows for quality control.

To help your lawn continue to thrive during the spring and kill pesky broadleaf weeds, apply Scotts® Turf Builder® Annual Program Spring between April and June, but at least 6 to 8 weeks after applying the Early Spring product.

Polypropylene artificial grass is an ideal option for a lawn that must stand up to heavy foot traffic—like kids romping on it daily. It has a much higher durability rating, so it lasts a long time and is even a popular choice for manufacturers to make artificial grass for dogs.

The "toughest" grasses (considering only that characteristic) are the sports-turf grasses like common Bermuda, hybrid Bermuda or zoysia. These grasses have a trailing growth habit and handle heavy foot traffic better than cool-season grasses (like fescues).

What is the easiest lawn grass to grow? ›

Zoysia Grass

In fact, it's known as being one of the easiest turfgrasses. That's because it can withstand drought conditions and survive in poor soil conditions with little maintenance required. Zeon zoysiagrass is especially popular for its superb qualities.

{ Perfect Amount of Seed } Choosing a 50 LB bag of seed allows you the option to use a little for spot seed or over seed your entire lawn! Each bag covers up to 10,000 square feet!

Fine fescue is the most popular low-maintenance cool-season grass. Hard fescue and fine fescue mixes require very little maintenance. You'll only have to mow your lawn once or twice a year. Fescues are hardy and they'll naturally crowd out weeds, so you don't have to worry about fertilizer, herbicide, or pesticide.

1. Tall fescue. Tall fescue has coarse, sturdy blades and deep roots, making it a great option for high-traffic lawns. Tall fescue is not only durable against high levels of foot traffic, but it is also adaptable to changing temperatures and water availability.

One of the most effective ways to get your grass to grow fast is to fertilize right after you plant. For use on all grass types, reach for Scotts® Turf Builder® Starter® Food for New Grass, which helps grass grow up to 70 percent thicker and 35 percent more quickly (vs. unfed).

The best time to water grass seed is in the morning and evening. These are the coolest parts of the day, which allows water to absorb into the ground instead of evaporating.

Do I apply the fertilizer before seeding or after? Apply the fertilizer before seeding. When is the best time to plant a new lawn? Spring and fall are the best times to plant a new lawn.

What is the best grass seed for hard dirt? Some grass types grow better than others on hard dirt. For example, hardy grass types like perennial ryegrass and Kentucky bluegrass will grow better on tough soil.

To plant grass seed on hard dirt, fix the hard dirt before planting the grass seed. No amount of TLC after planting will make up for poor soil prep. You need to get air and organic matter into the root zone soil before seeding the lawn. Enrich the soil first, and then plant your grass seed.

Bermudagrass is ideal for hot and dry areas because once established, it tolerates both conditions very well (though it will need some water to stay green in arid environments). A finely textured turfgrass that grows best when maintained at 1-2 inches in height, bermudagrass requires full sun for best growth.

Can you put too much grass seed? ›

Ignoring recommended seeding rates

Don't overdo or cut corners. Too much grass seed causes undue competition for resources such as light, water and nutrients, and grass seedlings struggle as a result. Too little seed leaves lawns thin or bare.

When seeding new turf grass, we recommend a seed rate of 4-7 lbs of seed per 1,000 square feet (the equivalent of 175-250 lbs per acre).

Most seed bags will recommend a range such as 250-400 square feet per pound.