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Best grass seed for new lawns


10 seeds and sod for your lawn |

Stroll barefoot across a lush lawn in no time by choosing the best fast-growing grass seed for your garden. Opt for the grass that most suits your situation: the climate, air quality, light levels, and soil type determine which variety to go for – we offer advice on all these elements below. 

Select the right grass seed to sow, prepare the ground well, or lay ready-grown sod (turf) to further save time. Do all that and your luscious, verdant lawn will establish in no time, ready for summer croquet, parties, and sunbathing.

Below, we bring you the best fast-growing grass seeds to make a lawn green and thick – fast. Many, we are showing uncut, so you can see how they look grown for meadows, but obviously you will want them trim for a lawn.

Whether you are looking to patch a bare lawn in a hurry, to sow a lawn that grows quickly or to put in fast-growing plants all round to create a more established look for your backyard, these fast-growing grass seeds and grasses are the best place to start, according to our favorite gardening experts.

1. Best fast-growing grass seeds for a temperate climate

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‘Perennial ryegrass is the fast-growing lawn grass that I would suggest for temperate climates like the northern US and the UK,’ says Peter Landschoot, Professor of Turfgrass Science at Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences . ‘It is a dark green, fine-textured species that germinates and establishes quickly, and can accept light traffic within 8-10 weeks.’

Avoid the perennial ryegrass variety ‘Linn’, which – although cheap – is poor quality and short-lived. Give annual ryegrass a wide berth too, although it is incredibly fast-growing, it has a rough texture and thins in the long-term, so that – a few years down the line – you’ll have to re-do the lawn again.

Most perennial ryegrass forms are good quality and this is one of the best grass seed for overseeding dead patches of lawn or thickening an existing lawn. For a new lawn, they combine well with Kentucky bluegrass.  

Perennial Ryegrass Mix, $28.99, Amazon
This grass seed establishes quickly even on compacted soil to repair bare spots. Ideal for high traffic areas, it will grow thick, green grass. This price is for a 3lb bag (covers approx 3,000 sq ft).

Shop Pennington annual ryegrass grass seed at Walmart

2. Best fast-growing grass seed for a warm climate

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Zoysia is an attractive, dense dark-green grass that performs well in hot sun and needs less irrigation than other sun-loving grasses. Its only negative is that it is not cheap and – like all warm-season turf – looks pale brown over winter.

‘Zoysia is one of the finer options for a lawn in a warm-weather climate,’ says Florida-based garden designer Matthew Giampietro . ‘Paspalum is also excellent. They are not as economical or as readily available as Palmetto St Augustine grass, which establishes very quickly, but unfortunately is a rather coarse grass. Zoysia and paspalum are the much finer options.’

Being a slow-to-establish grass, the way to enjoy zoysia quickly is to purchase it as sod (turf). 

3. Best fast-growing grass seed for the least mowing

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Turf-type tall fescue creates a lush greensward that copes with foot traffic and requires less mowing and watering than some turf grasses. It also has a good growth rate and loves open, sunny ground.

‘Tall fescue provides moderate to good levels of turf-grass quality with limited maintenance,’ says Suleiman Bughrara, who has researched grasses with Michigan State University . ‘If you are concerned about conserving water for lawn irrigation, tall fescue is a good choice. Tall fescue is the most heat and drought tolerant of the cool-season turf-grasses with the ability to produce deep root systems. Also, research at MSU shows that tall fescue root has good tolerance to European chafer grub damage when compared with other cool-season grasses. ’

It can be seeded on its own, without the need for creating a seed mix. Where the soil’s drainage is not good, try to improve it before sowing tall fescues. Suleiman advises sowing in August.

4. Best fast-growing grass seed for shade

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Fine fescues are ideal for shady areas of the garden, as long as they receive at least 2-3 hours of good sunlight each day.

‘In the Mid-Atlantic region of the USA, seed mixes that include fine fescues, such as hard fescue, creeping red fescue, and sheep fescue are best suited for shady areas,’ says Maryland-based landscape architect and designer Kirsten Coffen . 

‘Hard fescue is the best performer in the group. It is important to keep in mind that the fine fescues do not handle foot traffic well, should be infrequently mowed, and need at a bare minimum two hours of direct sunlight. However, they can be a cost effective and aesthetically pleasing way to cover a large shady area in the yard. ’

Where the soil’s drainage is not good, try to improve it before sowing fine fescues. If there are a lot of trees nearby, sowing in autumn after clearing the leaves will give the grass several months to establish before the shade intensifies again with spring leaf growth.

5. Best fast-growing grass seed for sun

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Buffalo grass is a warm-season native grass for sunny areas in zones that enjoy hot summer months. In scorching heat, many other grasses would quickly brown, but Buffalo will remain a lush shade of green. It does not require a lot of mowing or watering, being slow and drought-tolerant. To help it establish quickly, it is best bought as sod (turf).

UC Verde is a good form of buffalo that was introduced by the University of California, bred specifically for the Californian climate, as well as dry desert valleys, such as Tucson in Arizona.

For those who live in cooler temperate zones, perennial ryegrass is a great option grass seed or sod (turf) for sunny areas.

6. Best fast-growing grass seed for semi-shade

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A grass mix is often the best option for sowing or sod (turf) purchase, since many people’s backyards have both areas of sun and areas of partial shade.

‘A diverse seed mix ensures that your lawn will thrive under different conditions,’ says Peter Landschoot, Professor of Turfgrass Science at Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences .

For a sunny lawn with some trees, go for a mix of 40-60% Kentucky bluegrass, 30-40 % fine fescues, and 10-20% perennial ryegrass. ‘The Kentucky bluegrass and ryegrass will predominate in the sunny areas, and the fine fescues do well in the shade,’ explains Peter.

For a shaded lawn with some sunny areas, he suggests a mix of 50-60% fine fescues, 30-40% Kentucky bluegrass, and 10-20% perennial ryegrass.

7. Best fast-growing grass seed for heavy foot traffic

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Kentucky blue copes well with the onslaught of feet and paws walking and running across it repeatedly, which is why it’s probably the most widely grown grass in the US. It produces a dense dark-green lawn with an average texture. Being relatively slow to establish, it is best bought as sod (turf) to enjoy a fast result, and in many areas is better mixed with perennial ryegrass. 

Having a shallow root system, Kentucky blue is fine in colder climates, but not the best option for warm areas – unless you have children who love to spend hours charging through sprinklers! Bermuda and zoysia are good options for a lot of foot traffic in a warm-weather zone, and tall fescue is a great option for mild to cool zones (such as the mid-south states of the US).

Kentucky Blue Grass Seed, $28.99, Amazon
 This Kentucky Bluegrass Mix will grow into a thick, durable lawn. Perfect for full sun and light shade, it offers medium drought resistance. This price is for a 3lb bag (which covers around 3,000 sq ft). 

8. Best fast-growing grass seed for no foot traffic

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Carex (sedge) is a very attractive grass to use a contemporary alternative to traditional mown lawn turf. If you want to grass a patch of land (such as a front garden) that nobody ever walks across, carex is a great option.

‘We grow several grasses and sedges that make excellent alternatives to turf grass,’ say the team at Hoffman Nursery in North Carolina, which specializes in ornamental grasses and native grasses. ‘They create a low ground cover that does not need regular mowing or fertilizing. Some are more appropriate to shady conditions, while others thrive in full sun. All can be mowed high (3-8in/7-20cm) two to three times a season for a traditional look, or left unmowed for a more natural look.’

Carex is a low-growing evergreen grass with beautiful, arching growth and elegant, narrow foliage. There are many different types, including gold, cream, bronze, and green forms. C. flacca (glauca sedge) has lovely green-blue foliage. To attract and help wildlife, you could consider mixing such low grasses with nectar-rich perennials (for example, coneflower) to create an informal prairie look that has movement, texture, and color.

9. Best fast-growing grass seed for a low-rainfall area

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Tall fescue is a drought-tolerant, low-maintenance choice for open, sunny ground in regions that experience low rainfall or where irrigation is not possible.

‘During a drought, tall fescue will be the only green grass in the lawn,’ says Peter Landschoot, Professor of Turfgrass Science at Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences. ‘But plant tall fescue alone – its light-green color and coarse texture don't blend well with the finer turfgrasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass, and fine fescue. Also, buy a good quality "turf type" tall fescue from a reputable dealer. Stay away from the variety Kentucky 31, which produces large, coarse clumps.’

Where the soil’s drainage is not good, try to improve it before sowing tall fescues. Fine fescue grasses are an alternative for shady ground in drought-prone areas, but do not tolerate a lot of foot traffic. 

10. Best fast-growing grass seed for pets

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Bermuda grass is a great option for handling the patter of dog paws and patches of urine, being a tough, coarse turf that grows back quickly. It thrives in warm areas and withstands drought.

Research by the University of Florida found that Bermuda and St Augustine were the grasses that recovered fastest from dog urine, and that zoysia and paspalum were also good. All of these grasses are ideal for warm areas, with St Augustine being perhaps the most shade tolerant. In cold areas, Kentucky blue is a tough-cookie grass, able to withstand pets; and, in zones in between, perennial ryegrass and tall fescue are safe bets.

 

Bermuda Grass Seed, $83.48, Amazon
This 8lb bag covers around 8,000 sq ft. Drought-tolerant to stand up to scorching heat with root-building nutrition for a stronger lawn, this Bermuda grass includes a mix of seed, fertilizer, and soil improver.

FAQs

What are the best grass alternatives for deep shade?

Grass will not grow well in dense shade, so – unless the area has heavy foot traffic (in which case hard landscaping may be a better option) – it’s best to plant a grass alternative.

‘For areas that get fewer than three hours of direct sun, use a shade-tolerant ground cover, such as myrtle or pachysandra,’ says Peter Landschoot, Professor of Turfgrass Science at Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences.

Other options include moss (which is used to carpet large garden areas in Japan), sweet woodruff (which has scented white flowers), Persian ivy (English ivy should be avoided in areas of the US where it is invasive), and golden star (which is evergreen in mild winters).

Why isn’t my grass thriving?

Most turf grass enjoys good drainage, so that could be an issue. Regularly spiking the lawn with a suitable tool (even a large fork will do the trick) will help. If there is somewhere for the water to seep, it may be worth installing a drainage system. But to start all over again or when creating a new lawn, add sharp sand and topsoil that is rich in organic matter.

Peter Landschoot, Professor of Turfgrass Science at Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, also advises being careful about which seed or sod you buy: ‘Don't rely on brand names or choose a seed because the bag says it's a sun or shade mix. Read the label to learn the grass species included, the percentage of each seed and the date of the germination test. For best results, the test date should be within nine months of purchase. The germination percentage should be at least 80 percent – preferably higher.’

The Best Grass Seed Options of 2023

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Many homeowners dream of a lush, green carpet of grass upon which their children and pets can frolic. Growing a lawn that makes neighbors green with envy begins with choosing the right grass seed.

There is a seemingly endless variety of different seed types and products on the market, which can make choosing the right one an involved process. Climate, shade, and foot traffic all play roles in which grass seed is right for your lawn. This guide features factors to consider when choosing the best grass seed that will turn your yard into a striking carpet of green.

  1. BEST OVERALL: Scotts Turf Builder Thick’R Lawn Sun & Shade-3 in 1
  2. BEST BUDGET: Scotts Turf Builder Sunny Mix, 3lb.
  3. BEST WARM-SEASON: Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Southern Gold Mix
  4. BEST COOL-SEASON: Jonathan Green Black Beauty All Grasses Sun or Shade
  5. BEST FOR DENSE SHADE: Pennington Seed Smart Seed Grass Seed 3 Lb
  6. BEST FOR HIGH-TRAFFIC: Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed High Traffic Mix
  7. BEST KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS: Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Kentucky Bluegrass
  8. BEST BERMUDA GRASS: Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Bermudagrass, 5 lb
  9. BEST FAST-GROWING: Pennington Smart Seed Perennial Rye Blend Grass Seed
  10. BEST LOW-MAINTENANCE: Scotts Turf Builder Zoysia Grass Seed and Mulch

Photo: depositphotos. com

Types of Grass Seed

Grass seed falls into two main categories: warm-season and cool-season grasses. Warm-season grasses endure hot southern climates much better than cool-season grasses. During the winter, warm-season grasses turn brown as they go dormant. Cool-season grasses grow quickly in the cool weather of fall and spring before going dormant in the summer heat. Warm-season grasses can be reseeded during the spring and summer, while spring and fall are the optimal time to reseed cool-season grasses.

Warm-Season Grass 

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Cool-Season Grass

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Grass Seed

When deciding which grass seed is best for a front yard or a backyard oasis, it’s crucial to consider several important factors, including climate, maintenance, and sun requirements. A good grass seed should thrive in the specific conditions of your yard. Check below for some of the elements you should consider when purchasing the right grass seed.

Climate

With enough determination and money, you can grow most of the above grass seeds just about anywhere in the country. It’s not uncommon to see beautiful Kentucky bluegrass lawns in the baking heat of the Southwest. But going against climate guidelines will make the job a lot harder and more expensive, requiring significant investments in irrigation systems, water, and fertilizers. Paying attention to climate will make establishing a lawn much more manageable. Consider where you live and what grass types will thrive in your region with minimal maintenance and watering.

Reseeding vs. New Planting 

How you go about reseeding a lawn versus planting a new lawn is quite different. When seeding a new lawn, you’ll be applying seed to the bare dirt you’ve prepared for new planting. For reseeding, you’ll be attempting to thicken an already existing lawn. With that in mind, you typically need about twice as much seed to start a new lawn as you need to reseed an existing lawn.

Traffic Level 

Grass types vary in how well they tolerate foot traffic. If you have kids or pets and plan to use your backyard extensively as an area for play, consider selecting grass types that can take some abuse and still keep on growing. Zoysia and Bermuda grasses are the most tolerant of foot traffic, while fescue does poorly with heavy traffic.

Required Maintenance

While some property owners enjoy fussing over their lawns, many homeowners dread long hours spent maintaining a yard. Consider which grass types require the least amount of care and how much work you’re willing to put into a lawn. Zoysia grass, for example, requires annual dethatching, while perennial ryegrass will not self-repair and requires patching. Bermuda grass, in comparison, requires very little maintenance.

Sun Exposure 

Various grasses tolerate different levels of sun exposure. Some grasses, such as Bermuda grass, demand full sun but other varieties, such as tall fescue, do well with partial shade. Assess the sun exposure of your lawn to determine a good lawn grass seed for the lighting conditions there. Some seed companies produce specific seed mixes for full shade, full sun, or lawns with shaded areas and full-sun areas.

Single Seed vs. Mix

When selecting a type of grass seed, you can choose one specific seed type or a blend that combines several different species. Go for a single seed type if you’re trying to achieve a particular look for your lawn. While single seeds are more difficult to maintain, the effect of a single species lawn can be well worth it.

Mixes are easier to grow and maintain because companies blend the mixes for improved drought or heat tolerance. They also generally grow more uniformly with little need for patching. However, your lawn will lack the attractive uniform look of a single species lawn.

Germination Percentage

Despite your best efforts to prepare your yard for seeding, some seeds simply weren’t meant to become plants. This is where germination percentage comes into play. Germination percentage is a measure of the viability of a collection of seeds. It is calculated by dividing the number of seeds that germinate by the total number of seeds.

Given how much grass seed can cost, the higher the germination percentage the better, and it mostly relates to seed quality. Although you might be tempted to buy the cheapest grass seed on the shelf, chances are it will have a lower germination percentage, resulting in significant waste. High-quality grass seed has a 90 to 95 percent germination rate, making it worth the additional investment.

Our Top Picks

You can find grass seed for sunny areas, shade, high traffic, hot and cold climates, and more. These top-rated grass seed picks cover lots of lawn and grass types to suit various uses.

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Successfully reseeding a lawn often involves the laborious process of prepping the soil and adding fertilizer before finally spreading the seed. Scotts reduces those three steps to one with its Thick’R Lawn Sun and Shade 3-in-1 seed. This premium grass seed improves the chances that your seed will germinate, grow, and flourish by mixing the necessary components in one bag, so you can spread it on your lawn in one fell swoop.

This Sun and Shade seed includes fertilizer, organic material for improving the soil’s quality, and a mix of drought- and shade-tolerant grass seed. Simply rake, spread the seed, water daily, and let nature take its course at filling gaps in a lawn. A 40-pound bag is enough to cover a 4,000-square-foot area for reseeding.

Product Specs 

Pros

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It’s easier to grow grass in full sun than in shady parts of your lawn, but it takes a special mix like Scotts Turf Builder Sunny Seed Mix to bring your lawn to the next level. Full sun can quickly burn out a lawn when those dog days of summer come around. This is an excellent grass seed for full sun because it’s specially formulated with a mix of heat-tolerant grass seeds.

These grass seeds are treated with Scott’s 4-in-1 WaterSmart PLUS coating, which helps the seeds absorb twice as much water as uncoated seeds. The coating also fertilizes the seed and protects it from disease, helping to speed along germination and growth. This sun-tolerant mix is designed for northern lawns. A 3-pound bag is enough to cover up to 1,200 square feet.

Product Specs 

Pros

Cons

Get Scotts Turf Builder Sunny Mix grass seed at Amazon, The Home Depot, and Walmart.

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Summer weather in the South can be downright brutal with scorching heat and high humidity, but Scotts Turf Builder Southern Gold Mix prevents having a lawn that quickly turns from lush green in June to dry brown by August. The seed mix features grass types that can survive the harshest summer conditions.

This seed also features Scott’s 4-in-1 WaterSmart PLUS coating. This treatment improves the seeds’ performance in drought conditions by enabling them to retain water more efficiently. It also fertilizes the seeds and protects them from disease. Scotts has designed this grass seed specifically for transition zone lawns. These yards must survive colliding climate zones of their region. Scotts Southern Gold Mix comes in various sizes with a 7-pound bag covering about 1,750 square feet.

Product Specs 

Pros

Cons

Get Scotts Turf Builder Southern Gold grass seed on Amazon and at The Home Depot.

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A good cool-season grass seed blend like Jonathan Green Black Beauty All Grasses will give you a mix of grasses best suited for cooler and northern climates. The company is open about its mix, so purchasers know exactly what they’re getting in this blend.

This cold-tolerant mix includes three different types of cool-season grasses: 80 percent tall fescue, 10 percent Kentucky bluegrass, and 10 percent ryegrass. Black Beauty seed features a waxy coating that protects each seed from lawn diseases and will preserve plant moisture. A 25-pound bag will cover up to 10,000 square feet.

Product Specs 

Pros

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Get Jonathan Green grass seed mix at Ace Hardware.

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Most grasses grow best with a good daily dose of sunlight, and it takes a special mix like this Pennington Smart Seed Grass Seed to equally fill those shaded parts of a yard. This shade mix is intended for areas of a lawn that only get about 2 to 4 hours of sun a day. As with other Pennington seeds, the dense-shade mix has the company’s Penkoted technology that coats the seed with a special fertilizer to help it grow through those delicate seedling stages.

Product Specs 

Pros

Cons

Get the Pennington Seed Smart Seed grass seed at Walmart.

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Those well-trodden areas of your yard can take a real beating, and Scotts Turf Builder High Traffic Grass Seed Mix helps a lawn hold up to dogs, kids, and backyard parties. For families who use their yards for more than just show, this high-traffic mix of grass seed from Scotts will grow quickly and self-repair worn-down spots in those areas that see a lot of activity.

The high-traffic grass seed features Scotts’ proprietary 4-in-1 WaterSmart PLUS coating, which gives the seeds a boost while promoting water absorption. This mix is an excellent option for patching worn-out parts of the lawn or thickening up an entire turf area. A 7-pound bag provides enough coverage for up to 1,500 square feet.

Product Specs 

Pros

Cons

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Homeowners who dream of the perfect green and lush lawn usually have Kentucky bluegrass in mind, and Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Kentucky Bluegrass Mix has a mix of the popular grass for both full sun and light shade. It’s also formulated to self-repair and endure foot traffic, making it both durable and low maintenance.

Although Kentucky bluegrass can be susceptible to drought, Scotts’ mix is designed to endure dry summers, thanks to its proprietary seed-coating technology, which provides nutrients while protecting the seed from fertilizer and enabling it to absorb water better. Scotts Kentucky Bluegrass Mix does best in northern regions. A 3-pound bag will cover up to 2,000 square feet.

Product Specs 

Pros

Cons

Get Scotts Turf Builder Kentucky Bluegrass mix at Amazon, The Home Depot, and Walmart.

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Growing grass in the southern regions of the country that see scorching-hot temperatures can feel like an exercise in futility, but Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Bermuda grass can weather these harsh climates. With its high tolerance for drought, intense heat, and humidity, Bermuda grass might be the answer.

The grass grows rapidly, and this Scotts mix will grow even faster, thanks to its 4-in-1 WaterSmart PLUS coating, which can absorb twice as much water as uncoated seeds. The treatment helps seedlings enter the world strong, healthy, and ready to grow. A 5-pound bag of Scotts Bermuda grass seed is enough to cover up to 1,500 square feet.

Product Specs 

Pros

Cons

Get Scotts Turf Builder Bermuda Grass seed at Amazon, The Home Depot, and Walmart.

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If you don’t like waiting weeks to see if those grass seeds you so carefully planted will grow, it’s best to go with a fast-growing grass seed like Pennington Smart Seed Perennial Ryegrass.

This ryegrass germinates more quickly and grows faster than other grass seeds. It also maintains a deep green color year-round—you won’t have to look at a brown lawn all winter long. Pennington’s ryegrass seed can take as little as 7 days to germinate, which is far less than other grasses that can take up to 4 weeks.

Pennington’s seeds also develop denser root systems, which makes them more drought tolerant. This fast-growing grass seed also includes its Penkoted seal, which protects the seeds from mold while enabling them to retain moisture.

Product Specs 

Pros

Cons

Get Pennington Smart Seed Perennial Rye seed on Amazon and at Walmart.

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Shade, full sun, heavy foot traffic, scorching heat, cold, drought, even salt water matter little with Scotts Turf Builder Zoysia Grass Seed. This “grow anywhere grass seed” holds up well against most elements the climate or a busy lawn owner can throw at it, and it’s the easiest grass to grow in almost every climate. It even requires less mowing because it grows so slowly. If you’re looking for a low-maintenance lawn, consider zoysia grass. Although it can grow in northern regions, this variety of grass does particularly well in the South.

Most zoysia grass must be planted as plugs or turf. This mix from Scotts will grow from seed, using a grass seed and mulch combination to speed the germination and growth process. A 5-pound bag is enough to cover a 2,000-square-foot area.

Product Specs 

Pros

Cons

Get Scotts Turf Builder Zoysia grass seed mix at Amazon, The Home Depot, and Walmart.

Our Verdict

For a full, luscious lawn, our first pick is the drought- and shade-tolerant Scotts Turf Builder Sun & Shade seed, which is suitable for warm seasons and reseeding, with fertilizer, seed, and soil improver included. Alternatively, for a budget-friendly option in cool climates, the Scotts Turf Builder Kentucky Bluegrass seed is suitable for new plantings or reseeding, comes with a 4-in-1 WaterSmart PLUS coating, and covers over 1,200 square feet of lawn space.

How We Chose the Best Grass Seed

We researched the most sought-after grass seed in their respective categories and discovered that the best options are determined by their type, suitable season(s), intended use, and other special features included by select brands.

The most popular types of grass seed among users is Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass, and fescue for their suitability in multiple climates and their ability to grow thick, durable grass. While not as popular, Bermuda and zoysia grass types are also viable options for those who live in southern areas with a lot of sun. What’s more, these mixes can cover small or large yards depending on your needs.

Many of the grass seeds are also capable of fixing patchy areas on existing grass or growing new plantings for your whole lawn. Plus, many of these options are mixes, which makes them easy to maintain without intense labor. For added convenience, select grass seeds included in our list come with protective coatings to protect them from disease and to aid in water retention or have fertilizer built in.

FAQs

If you’re still wondering what product is best for you, read on for answers to your most pressing grass-seed questions.

Q: What month is best for planting grass seed?

The best month for planting grass seed is September for cool-season grasses and May for warm-season grasses, although this can vary depending on where you live. For cool-season grasses, you want a combination of warm soil, moderate temperatures during the day, and cool temperatures at night. Warm-season grasses should be planted when temperatures eclipse 80 degrees during the day and remain warm through the night.

Q: How do you seed a lawn?

Once you’ve purchased your seed, you’ll need to prepare the soil. If reseeding, cut the grass to a height of 1.5 to 2 inches. Lightly rake the area to break up the soil’s surface, so it can receive the seeds. For new lawns, prepare the ground, making sure to even out the surface. Use a spreader to distribute the recommended amount of seed for reseeding or planting a new lawn.

Q: How do you prepare ground for grass seed?

If possible, use a soil test kit to determine the pH of your soil. Depending on the results, you might need to add organic matter such as lime, compost, topsoil, or peat moss to your soil. Once you’ve completed that step, break up the top ½-inch of the earth with a rake. The soil needs to be loose to accept the seeds.

Q: Can you mix grass seed with topsoil?

Mixing grass seed with topsoil is not a good idea. By combining the two, it’s difficult to spread the seeds evenly throughout the yard. It also might cause some seeds to be buried too deep into the soil to germinate and grow. For better results, spread the seed after mixing topsoil into the yard.

Q: Do you need to cover grass seed?

It’s best not to cover the grass seed with topsoil. Grass seeds are not strong enough to push through heavy earth after germinating. Covering the seeds with topsoil suffocates them, preventing them from growing.

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8 best lawn grasses - Rating 2022 (Top 8)

Juicy green lawn near the house is a symbol of comfortable country life. And it is not at all necessary to buy a ready-made rolled lawn. There are two alternative ways: to organize a natural lawn from already growing grasses and to sow the seeds of suitable plants yourself. The second option will give a more controlled and more aesthetic result. Our review presents the best lawn grasses - according to gardeners.

The following types of herbaceous plants are used for the lawn:

Professional landscapers prefer to sow one type, but shops often sell ready-made mixtures of herbs, which are selected depending on the purpose of the lawn:

  1. ornamental lawn - a lawn in front of a house with a flower bed or composition of conifers;
  2. sports lawn - a playground for recreation and games near a barbecue area or gazebo, characterized by increased resistance to trampling;
  3. If you choose the best lawn grass for summer cottages, then most often it will be a universal lawn - an option that combines moderate aggressiveness and sufficient attractiveness.

When choosing the best lawn grass seed mixture, more than just the intended use is taken into account. It is important to take into account such factors as the illumination of the site, the level of groundwater, evenness, type and uniformity of the soil, area and climatic conditions. The most durable and stable lawns are formed from meadow bluegrass, red fescue and bent grass, which have a powerful rhizome. A ryegrass lawn “gets old” after 2-3 years and requires overseeding or replacement. But at the beginning of growth, this plant is very aggressive and is able to suppress not only weeds, but also seedlings of other types of lawn grasses. Therefore, the maximum allowable amount of ryegrass seeds in the mixture is 25 - 30%.

Choosing the right kind of grass is part of the task. You also need not to make a mistake with the variety, which is not always indicated on the packer's packaging. Consider the types and varieties of lawn grasses most suitable for the middle lane.

Rating of the best lawn grasses

Category Place Designation Rank
The Best Grasses for a Classic Lawn 1 Bluegrass meadow, Poa pratensis 9.9 / 10
2 Red fescue, Festuca rubra 9. 8 / 10
3 Shooting bent (creeping, or marsh), Agrostis stolonifera 9.6 / 10
4 English ryegrass (perennial chaff), Lolium perenne 9.5 / 10
The best herbs for a country lawn 1 White clover, Trifolium repens 9. 8 / 10
2 Monetary loosestrife (meadow tea), Lysimachia nummularia 9.8 / 10
3 Bekmania common (water, or swamp leek), Becmania eruciformis 9.7 / 10
4 Knotweed (highlander bird, or grass-ant), Polygonum aviculare 9. 7 / 10

The best grasses for classic turf

Bluegrass meadow, Poa pratensis

Our review of the best lawn grasses opens with the most suitable grass for the Russian climate for a perennial lawn. Even after harsh winters, bluegrass turns green immediately after the snow melts. The fibrous and loose root system of bluegrass forms an elastic turf. Leaves up to 30 cm long, deep green. Meadow grass meadow is not demanding on the type of soil, tolerates overconsolidation, but loves fertile soil and top dressing. After shearing, it grows evenly. Bluegrass sod strengthens the top layer of soil well, it can be sown on slopes. Suitable for sports lawns, grows and recovers quickly.

Bluegrass is one of the best grasses for amateur garden lawns, it visually smooths out microrelief defects. Due to the slow development at the beginning of the growing season, bluegrass seeds are mixed with bent shoots, meadow fescue (inferior to red fescue in stability and durability, but starts faster) and ryegrass. In mixes, the proportion of bluegrass is 50 - 60%. The most common lawn varieties of bluegrass meadow: Platini, Connie, Broadway, Boutique, Sobra, Panduro, Balin.

Main advantages:

  • durability (up to 50 years)
  • early regrowth in spring
  • heat resistance
  • high winter hardiness
  • high decorative effect
  • excellent resistance to trampling
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    Cons:

    • slow growth in the first year
    • shade intolerant

9. 9 / 10

Rating

Reviews

All blades of grass stick up, and you can mow evenly with a mower. I keep a height of 5 cm. In the first two years, I had to tinker with watering, top dressing and weeds. But when the lawn began to grow, it turned out to be a real soft carpet. At least go barefoot.

Red fescue, Festuca rubra

Widespread grass grass for universal parterre perennial lawns, which forms a dense turf with a thickness of 12 to 20 cm. The leaves are narrow, their color varies from bright green to bluish-gray depending on the variety. Forms a dense herbage of varying degrees of rigidity. In the year of sowing, the lawn develops slowly, the site turns green only after 2-3 months. But already in the second year it shows a dense and decorative cover.

The plant is resistant to adverse soil-climatic and weather factors: toxins in the soil, shade, sunshine, drought, flooding, low winter temperatures. It grows well on poor soils, does not require frequent watering. The low regrowth rate is both an advantage (no need to mow often) and a disadvantage (poor recovery after damage). In mixtures, red fescue is often combined with bluegrass meadow and bent grass. The following varieties are included in the register: Ryder, Livista, Casanova, Jevelin.

Main advantages:

  • frost resistance and winter hardiness
  • resistance to urban conditions
  • high decorative effect
  • shade tolerance
  • durability

Cons:

  • on heavy over-compacted soils gives a superficial sod
  • develops slowly in the first 2 to 3 years
  • medium resistance to trampling

9. 8 / 10

Rating

Reviews

I got a Spartan lawn out of red fescue - it tolerates a lack of top dressing, interruptions in watering, and irregular mowing. For her, only one thing is critical - the loose structure of the soil.

Shooting bent (creeping, or marsh), Agrostis stolonifera

Continues our rating of the best lawn grasses bent grass - a cereal herbaceous plant with low creeping above-ground shoots. The leaves are very narrow, soft, bluish-green. It grows quickly and aggressively displaces weeds, can invade flower beds and beds. The lawn of bent grass is the most controversial in the community of landscapers. With due attention, it has no equal in decorativeness, but once it is launched, difficulties will appear both with restoration and breeding.

The plant responds well to regular feeding, is sensitive to lack of moisture (additional irrigation in summer is mandatory), does not develop in the shade. It strikes with its vitality: shoots that have turned yellow from drought, with good watering, eventually sprout new shoots. It is used for lawns of extra-class, maintains very low mowing. Due to short stature, novice lawn owners mistakenly believe that bent grass can rarely be mowed. With unlimited growth, the shoots overlap each other, and the lower layers begin to turn yellow. As a result, after mowing, yellowed bald spots are exposed. Specialized golf lawns are mowed daily to keep the herbage ventilated.

Bentgrass is used for turfing orchards, in this case it is grown without mowing during the growing season. One low mowing in winter is enough to comb out yellowed shoots. In the spring, the turf is pierced for aeration and mineral fertilizers are applied. The bent grass seeds are very small, their sowing rate is lower than that of other grasses.

Main advantages:

  • high decorative effect
  • long life, self-renewal
  • low mowing resistance
  • fast site filling
  • high winter hardiness

Cons:

  • strongly spreads beyond the lawn
  • labor-intensive care
  • low resistance to stress
  • does not grow in the shade

9. 6 / 10

Rating

Reviews

Shooting bent grass forms a dense and soft lawn, it is pleasant to walk on it. I mow it rarely, 3-4 times per season. While young, yellow bald spots do not appear.

English ryegrass (perennial chaff), Lolium perenne

The fastest growing lawn grass that forms a dense, glossy carpet already in the first years after sowing. It is characterized by aggressiveness, easily displaces weeds from the site, does not get along well with other types of lawn grasses. But at the same time it often falls out after winter, quickly degenerates, forms bumps. Therefore, ryegrass is rarely used in monoculture. Ryegrass is added to get a quick effect, so that by the time it degenerates, companions (bluegrass and bent grass) have gained strength. But if you make a mistake in the proportions, the ryegrass will have time to “strangle” the companions as well. Landscapers also recommend ryegrass-dominated mixtures for temporary and sports lawns.

A lawn dominated by ryegrass sometimes has to be mowed twice a week (depending on soil and watering). Mowed grass is quite rough, which is something to consider if you plan to walk barefoot or play on the lawn with young children. In the temperate climate of the middle zone, ryegrass manifests itself as a moderately viable crop; without snow cover, it tolerates frosts down to -18. Ryegrass is a moisture-loving and light-loving plant, but does not tolerate waterlogging. In the middle lane, resistance to diseases is weak. The most resistant varieties in our conditions: Vesuvius, Promoto, Eurodiamant.

Main advantages:

  • high vigor of growth in the first year
  • fast regrowth after mowing
  • active rhizome growth
  • resistance to trampling

Cons:

  • bald spots appear after 2-3 years
  • forms tussocks as a result of tillering
  • requires frequent cutting

9. 5 / 10

Rating

Reviews

Ryegrass lawn is valued for its durability. But at the same time, you need to constantly look after him: watering, fertilizing, sowing, cutting. And even with proper care, I had to completely re-seed the lawn after 4 years.

The best grasses for country lawn

White clover, Trifolium repens

Continues our review of the best lawn grasses for giving white clover - a perennial undersized creeping plant. Forms a dense and soft carpet of numerous light green, delicate leaves of the original form. It withstands low mowing at a height of 3–4 cm, but the herbage 10–12 cm high looks spectacular. A white clover lawn does not require careful maintenance and frequent mowing. It should not be heavily fed - only twice a season with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers. White clover is well adapted to the climatic conditions of the middle belt, winters safely, but in very snowy and mild winters it can swell. The bald spots that appear are quickly tightened. Does not like shade and waterlogging. Blooming clover attracts bees and bumblebees. It will not be possible to restrain flowering by low mowing - the flower stalks are shortened, and small flowers appear close to the ground.

Main advantages:

  • unpretentiousness to soil types
  • high winter hardiness and drought resistance
  • high decorative effect
  • forms a very soft cover
  • good regeneration ability

Cons:

  • attracts bees
  • slippery surface
  • aggressive and invades neighboring cultivated areas

9. 8 / 10

Rating

Reviews

One of the few lawns that can be mowed with a conventional trimmer. They sown it first as a temporary weed cover, and then they liked it so much that they left the lawn near the house.

Monetary loosestrife (meadow tea), Lysimachia nummularia

Perennial groundcover with creeping creeping stem. The leaves are small, light green. It is used to create a flowering lawn: twice a season it is densely covered with bright yellow small flowers. Despite the abundance of flowering, it spreads mainly by rooting shoots. Since the grass is short (up to 5 cm high), the lawn does not need to be mowed. It grows well throughout Russia. Mature plants can tolerate short-term drought, but in arid regions, a lush lawn needs watering. Very often loosestrife is sown with a companion - speedwell filiform. They complement each other well and do not compete.

Main advantages:

  • high decorative effect
  • excellent shade tolerance
  • resistance to waterlogging
  • minimal maintenance

Cons:

  • sensitive to lack of moisture

9. 8 / 10

Rating

Reviews

Loosestrife lawn should be thoroughly combed in spring and watered in severe drought. Beyond that, just admire. Well, I make sure that I don’t get into other areas.

Bekmania common (water, or swamp leek), Becmania eruciformis

Alternative grass for specialist turf. In its natural habitat it is found along river banks and in marshy meadows. Forms a long, sprawling rhizome. Leaves 5 - 7 mm wide, yellowish-green, hard.

Grass value in adaptability to waterlogged loams and wetlands. Does not grow on dry steppe soils. It is used for sodding park forests, landscaping small shaded areas. In the first year it develops at an average pace, but by the 2nd year it gains strength and forms a strong turf. Intensively spreads over the site, recovers well after mowing. It is often found in the composition of herbal mixtures for suburban lawns.

Main advantages:

  • high frost resistance and winter hardiness
  • resistance to waterlogging
  • salt and shade tolerance
  • resistance to trampling
  • grows well after mowing early
    • 8

Cons:

  • medium durability (up to 8 years)
  • narrow use

9. 7 / 10

Rating

Reviews

Landscapers do not recommend the use of fodder grasses, to which Bekmania belongs, for seeding the lawn. But I have a very wet and cold soil, on which only weeds grow well. Beckmania has helped tidy up the property and keeps it clean and beautiful.

Knotweed (highlander bird, or grass-ant), Polygonum aviculare

For a country lawn, you can also use mist - a very hardy annual plant with a lying stem. The leaves are small, oblong, juicy green, soft. Flowering inconspicuous, continues throughout the summer season. It produces abundant germinating seeds, which is why many consider knotweed to be a perennial herb. In the wild, knotweed is widely distributed throughout the world. It is not considered a potential weed plant, as it does not like loose cultivated soils. Grows noticeably better in compacted areas with a high load. A strong tap root helps the plant survive drought, but a truly fluffy, beautiful knotweed lawn can only be grown with good watering. Seeds germinate in early spring and quickly cover the soil with greenery. Knotweed lawn can be mowed with a trimmer every 2 to 3 weeks.

Main advantages:

  • unpretentiousness
  • high adaptive qualities
  • resistance to trampling and compaction
  • high decorativeness
  • rare mowing

Cons:

  • expensive seeds
  • high aggressiveness to competitors

9. 7 / 10

Rating

Reviews

Ever since childhood I remember the feeling when you run barefoot on a soft cool carpet of grass-ant. But not only nostalgia persuaded to sow knotweed for the lawn - it is the most unpretentious and tenacious, while beautiful and durable (self-renewable).

When choosing the best lawn grass for your dacha or home, you need to consider that both traditional and amateur lawns require attention: modern watering, moderate top dressing and mowing as they grow. Perennial lawns manifest themselves for 2-3 years, and before that they need protection from weeds and fertilizing with mineral fertilizers. Annual plants quickly form a dense grass stand, but are also more easily displaced by sod-forming grasses.

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Rating of the best manufacturers of lawn grass for summer cottages 🌿 TOP varieties of seeds in 2022

Types of artificial and natural lawn

Lawn cover is divided into artificial and natural, the latter is divided into roll and sowing.

Seed lawn cover

The method of obtaining a seed cover is in the name. First you need to select the seeds of lawn grass, then sow the area, then carefully monitor it and wait for the results of the work. To create a seed lawn, several types of grasses are usually used:

Seed turf benefits:

Weaknesses:

The final result depends on the choice of seeds and their producer, so it is worth considering the producers in more detail in our rating.

1. DLF

DLF produces lawn grass seeds and is the world leader in this field. The Danish company has been producing lawn grass seeds since 1906. It exports them to the EU countries, Russia, China and the USA. The company has its own laboratories, where specialists work on creating new varieties of seeds that are resistant to drought, waterlogging and diseases. The manufacturer produces grass seeds, both for those who like to decorate the local area, and for those who need to arrange a football field. According to experts, the best turf grass varieties are made by DLF because they have Quick Action Grass Seeds. They are great for buyers who dream of a green lawn in early spring. You can actively move on the grass at a temperature of +3 degrees. A significant success for the company was the emergence of a new microclover seed variety that can stay green all year round and is able to solve problems such as wear and baldness on the lawn.

2. Jacklin Seed Company

Jacklin Seed can also be included in the ranking of the best lawn grass seed producers. It is a North American company that was born in 1936. It produces seeds for people in more than 50 countries around the world. Standards in North America are much stricter than in Europe, so lawn grass seeds are practically free of impurities. The manufacturer specializes in meadow bluegrass, but other types of herbs are also presented in the assortment.

3. Barenbrug

Barenbrug is the third best turf grass manufacturer. The company has been on the market for more than 100 years, during which time it has managed to appear in 20 countries of the world and open 22 research centers on 6 continents. The producer is present in all climatic zones, which has influenced its adaptation to different areas. The Barenbrug is now being used on famous sites such as New York's Central Park, the St. Andrews Golf Club, and the 2018 World Cup football stadiums.

Rolled lawn

Rolled lawns are the most popular in Russia. It only takes one day to enjoy the lawn in your yard. The presented type is much more expensive, but you will get the result immediately.

When choosing the type of turf, the following are usually considered: universal, parterre and urban.

1. Universal

Universal turf is perfect for equipping sports grounds, and this coating will also fit well in your country house. The presented option is capable of growth in various conditions: it is completely undemanding in care, calmly manages without the sun and is not afraid of rain. The grass consists entirely of Poa pratensis seeds, thanks to which it is possible to guarantee the density of the product and the excellent resistance of the lawn to diseases.

2. Parterre

This is a dense, even lawn of bright emerald color. Previously, it was used to decorate the area around palaces and castles, now if you wish to plant greenery on your site with a rolled lawn Parterny, it will perfectly emphasize the high status and refined taste. The composition is dominated by meadow bluegrass seeds. When compared with other bluegrass grasses, the presented type of lawn is much lighter. This type is often used in the implementation of landscape design on the territory of summer cottages. Among the manufacturers of rolled lawns, in our rating, Russian lawns and Lawnville can be distinguished.

3. Urban

Many manufacturers work with Urban roll cover, as the presented grass mixture is able to withstand trampling and bad weather conditions. Rolled lawn City is dense and even, has a bright green color. This is the best option for arranging parks and squares, it is also perfect for your summer cottage.

The leading manufacturers of rolled lawns in our ranking are the following companies:

1. Roll Lawn Company

This is a highly specialized company engaged in the production and distribution of grass surfaces. For 16 years of work, the company has worked on such projects as the Tsaritsyno palace and park ensemble, the Skolkovo business center. Thanks to a competent approach, she quickly became a market leader and received membership in the Turfgrass Producers International association. This organization was able to bring together the best suppliers of lawn coatings from more than 25 countries around the world.

2. Company Queens Grass International

The presented turf company became known in Russia in 2002. The covers are grown under strict control for two years, and the basis is Barenbrug seeds, which are included in the ranking of the best. As a result, lawn grasses are highly dense, resistant to trampling and winter well. In addition, lawns from Queens Grass are easy to repair, after replacing the damaged area, the turf grass patch is quickly restored and becomes usable. Therefore, when you need to choose a lawn for a summer residence, you can safely make a choice in favor of this manufacturer.

3. Russian lawns company.

The manufacturer has been growing lawn grasses for industrial purposes since 1998. Specialists monitor every stage of work in detail: they select the special composition of the soil and use only the best lawn grass seeds, apply fertilizers, and carefully monitor the growing conditions. As a result, the lawn acquires the desired condition, after which it is cut using special equipment - sod cutters.

For a long time, lawn rolls were 0.4x2 m in size, which made it difficult to work quickly and, as a result, led to the grass dying off and other adverse consequences. "Russian lawns" were the first in their market who decided to increase the size of grass sheets. The manufacturer began to produce rolled lawns measuring 1.2x26 m, thanks to which it is now possible to lay an area the size of a football field in just one day.

Artificial turf

Rating of the best artificial turf:

1. RealGrass

Grass is designed to imitate natural turf, pile height from 3.5 to 4 cm. Most often it is used indoors. You can find RealGrass in cafes and restaurants, and it also fits perfectly into children's play areas. Although the grass is artificial, due to its bright color, it does not visually have strong differences compared to natural grass. This type is considered an excellent option for those who do not need extra hassle.

2. Condor Phoenix 3013

This grass is perfect for sports fields, and it also works well for landscaping the surrounding areas. Artificial turf has a length of no more than 3 cm. Weight is 1676 g / m², as a result of which specialists quickly lay Condor Phoenix 3013 grass. This model is realistic due to the undercoat, it visually looks beautiful for several years, does not have specific odors and is considered environmentally friendly. Condor Phoenix 3013 tolerates sun exposure well, does not smell or emit harmful substances when heated strongly, it is also worth noting that it retains dirt very well and its quality does not deteriorate due to rain.

3. Domo Deco Green Grass 40

The presented lawn is adapted for sports activities.

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