BEST GRASS SEED FOR A LUSH LAWN

by modernreaestate-chime-me

JULY 23, 2020

Getting a lush and green lawn can be a battle if you live in a very hot and arid environment. If you have kids, pets, or high traffic areas in your home, keeping your grass lush and green can be a very difficult challenge that requires constant attention. However, the best grass seed and the right lawn shears can give you a leg up and ensure you don’t have any yellow or dry spots in your lawn.

Finding the best grass seed isn’t an easy process, especially when you consider the different types of grass and brands available. If you get the wrong type, this can lead to the grass drying out and burning off in the sun and heat. I’ve picked out the 10 best grass seed choices available on the current market, and you can use them to get a lush and green long all spring and summer long. After you look at the reviews, take a look at the buying guide and use it to narrow down your choices to the final pick.

The best grass seed can help you create a full and uniform lawn that looks great in the spring and all summer long.

Contents

1. SCOTTS SUN & SHADE MIX

This best grass seed by Scotts comes in 3, 7, 20, or 40 pound bags, and this allows you to choose the one that will best suit your yard. It’s excellent for filling in thin or bare spots due to high traffic. If you’ve recently moved your garden to maximize your space, you’ll need to seed the area to fill it in. This sun and shade mix ensures grass grows all over your yard, and you get a fine bladed texture that is very resistant to drought. This is great for hot and arid environments because it’ll withstand dry conditions without burning in dense shade and out in the direct sunlight.

This best grass seed will spread very aggressively over your lawn to fill in the spots and create a lush green carpet of grass. The seed is very high-quality, and it can jumpstart the lawn’s growth, keep the seed moist for two times longer, and protect your lawn against disease. It has a 4-in-1 WaterSmart Plus coating that helps the grass retain moisture and helps your grass absorb more nutrients so it grows much quicker and stronger from the first application.

Benefits:

Designed to grow in extreme conditions
Available in four sizes
Can seed up to 2,800 square feet

Drawbacks:

May have to seed twice
Grows better in sun than shade
Need to water it a lot

2. ORGANIC WHEAT GRASS SEED

This best grass seed from Rose and Branch comes guaranteed to germinate. The company packs each package of grass seed with nutrients, and this increases your chances that you’ll get both full and even coverage throughout your lawn. The grass seed is grown and harvested in the United States using very strict quality control standards, and this means there are fewer chances that you’ll end up with spotty growth or weak grass that succumbs to pests or diseases. This grass is perfect if you have dogs, cats, or reptiles that like to run around your yard, and they can eat it without any negative side effects.

This best grass seed grows GMO-free and organic grass that is safe for your kids to play on. Since the grass is very nutrient rich, it may even attract birds or other small animals to your yard once it starts to grow. You do only get a small 16-ounces in each package, but you can use it to fill in any dead, thin, or dying spots in your yard. It needs a lot of sunlight and moisture to grow healthy, and it won’t grow well if you have densely shaded areas.

Benefits:

Non-GMO and organic formula
Packed with nutrients
Can attract birds and small animals

Drawbacks:

Sensitive cats may avoid it
Only get 16-ounces per order
Takes a long time to grow

SALEOrganic Wheat Grass Seed Check Price on Amazon

3. GROTRAX BIODEGRADABLE GRASS SEED MAT

Anyone who isn’t ready to install artificial grass should try this best grass seed mat by Grotax. This is an all-in-one grass seed fabric that has the mulch, fertilizer, and seed all in a roll out mat that is ready to place and grow. Every seed in this mat comes placed to grow, and the company packs the seed onto this mat at 120% of the recommended rate to ensure a thick and even coverage. Leading Oregon growers made this grass mat, and they use the highest quality seed available in each one. All you have to do is roll it out, water it, and it’ll start to grow wherever you place it.

This best grass seed mat will stick to the ground when you put it out, and two bio-fabric layers trap the seed and fertilizer together. You get very quick germination with even growth for a lush and green mat. Each role gives you 100 square feet of grass, and it’s excellent for hilly terrain or sunny areas where you have difficulty growing grass normally. It has medium to high resistance to drought, and it can grow in shaded areas as well as sunny ones.

Benefits:

Seeds packed at 120% of the recommended rate
Grows well in sun and shade
Drought-resistant

Drawbacks:

Easy to tear the fabric
No installation instructions included
Can wash away in heavy rain

SALEGrotrax Biodegradable Grass Seed Mat Check Price on Amazon

4. PENNINGTON SMART SUN AND SHADE GRASS SEED

This best grass seed comes in a slightly larger seven pound package that will easily cover up to 3,330 square feet around your yard. This grass comes coated with Pennington’s Penkoted technology, and this technology is great for helping protect your grass seeds from fungal infections that could kill it or stunt the growth. It also makes this grass very resistant to disease and pest infestations that could kill it as it grows. This seed has very good drought tolerance, and you can grow it in both sun and shade without worrying about ending up with patchy, bare, or thin areas in your yard.

The nice thing about this best grass seed is that it uses 30% less water to grow and thrive, and this can save you on your water bill. You get a variety of grass seed that is very versatile, and the grass will establish itself quickly after you seed. You’ll end up with a fine-bladed and thick grass that has an attractive blue-green hue to it. You can either plant it in the fall or the early spring, and you’ll end up with a lush lawn that you can’t wait to show off.

Benefits:

Covers 3,330 square feet
Has a nice blue-green coloring
Grows in shade and sun

Drawbacks:

Can take a few weeks to sprout
May not be thick enough
May not last a full season

SALEPennington Smart Grass Seed Check Price on Amazon

5. SCOTTS EZ SEED PATCH AND REPAIR

As long as you care for this best grass seed appropriately, Scotts guarantees that it’ll grow anywhere in the sun or shade. This seeding mix features very high-performance grass. It’s available in four types of grass and five sizes that can cover a broad range of yards from 85 square feet up to 890 square feet. The mulch in this seed mix will absorb up to six times the weight in water, and this helps to encourage strong growth that will fill in around your walkway edging for a neat and trim look. The mulch also protects the seed from disease or pests, and this helps to ensure you get a thick and lush layer.

These best grass seeds have an exclusive controlled release fertilizer included that feeds the grass seed and encourages rapid and strong growth. There is a Tackifier in this seed, and this element prevents the seed from accidentally washing away while shielding them from fungal diseases. It’ll grow well in high traffic areas, in the sun, and in dense shade without ending up patchy. This grass seed is very easy to apply to your lawn, and you’ll be able to watch it grow.

Benefits:

Holds six times the moisture
Jumpstarts healthy growth
Covers a broad area

Drawbacks:

Need higher temperatures for it to grow
Not drought-resistant
Will burn in heavy sun

SALEScotts EZ Seed Patch and Repair Check Price on Amazon

6. ZENITH ZOYSIA GRASS SEED

This best grass seed will grow very well if the temperatures get up around 60°F and there is no danger of frost appearing. As long as you meet these requirements, you can expect your grass seed to sprout in 14 to 21 days after you originally plant it. This type of grass can survive droughts and cold temperatures without burning off or succumbing to frost. It won’t thin out or grow in patchy areas in your yard, and you end up with a lush and thick carpet of grass when you spread it. When you buy this product, it comes with 100% pure seed and no mulch, and this allows you to cover a larger area.

You can use this best grass seed in light shade or full sun without a problem, and every two pound bag can cover up to 2,000 square feet of lawn. After you spread the seed, you do want to make sure that you water it thoroughly so it can sink into the soil and take root. You can also buy a six pound bag of pure grass seed that will cover up to 6,000 square feet. This grass is perfect for both residential and commercial properties, and you’ll get a medium-blade grass.

Benefits:

Get pure seed in every order
Resistant to cold and drought
Sprouts in 14 to 21 days

Drawbacks:

May not cover the full square footage
Can grow weeds with the grass
Won’t grow in dense shade

Zenith Zoysia Grass Seed

Check Price on Amazon

7. PREMIUM OREGON FESCUE GRASS SEED

If you have a high-quality lawn fertilizer to add to this best grass seed, it’s easy to get tall and thick grass all over your lawn. This choice is nice for environments where you get a lot of heat or drought because it won’t burn off or wilt under more extreme conditions. The grass seed comes with a special coating that helps it retain and absorb moisture each time you water it, and this means you can reduce the amount you water while ensuring your grass won’t dry out. This grass seed grows a very tall and thick Kentucky 31 Fescue grass, and it’ll fill in any dead or thin spots throughout your yard.

This best grass seed will quickly sprout an excellent turf or forage grass once you plant it, and a single bag can cover up to 1,000 square feet. You get four pounds per order, and this is a relatively cost-effective choice for small or medium yards. It will grow well in both shade or sun, and you won’t have put a lot of time or effort in to get great results. It won’t work well in very sandy soil.

Benefits:

Available in different quantities
Tolerant to drought and heat
Coating absorbs more moisture

Drawbacks:

Doesn’t grow in sandy soil
Tends to burn off quickly
Has a lot of weeds

SALEPremium Oregon Fescue Grass Seed Check Price on Amazon

8. TIFBLAIR CENTIPEDE GRASS SEED

Anyone who wants to grow a thick but low-maintenance lawn should look at this best grass seed from TifBlair. You can plant it once the soil reaches and stays around 60°F and warmer, and it’ll sprout within a few weeks to fill in any thin or dying patches of grass to give you an even look. This is a turfgrass that will work well in partial shade or full sun, and it’s very resistant to drought and harsh conditions. It retains a lot of moisture when you water it, and this helps protect the grass and encourage deep root growth. You do want to make sure the frost danger is gone before you plant because it can kill the grass seed.

There is no mulch in this best grass seed, but the seeds come coated to help improve the germination rate. You get a full pound of grass seed in each order, and every pound of seed can cover up to 4,000 square feet. You do need to prepare the soil, add the seeds, rake them in, and give them a good watering to ensure they take root and start to grow evenly.

Benefits:

Pure seed with no mulch
Covers 4,000 square feet
Tolerant to drought

Drawbacks:

Prepping the ground takes time
Too small to spread by hand
May not be 100% seed

TifBlair Centipede Grass Seed

Check Price on Amazon

9. JONATHAN GREEN BLACK BEAUTY SEED

This Black Beauty mix gives you the best grass seed to plant if you’re looking for something to fill in around your desert landscaping because it’s very durable and able to withstand a broad range of environments. You get a very diverse mix with this product that contains Kentucky Bluegrass, Black Beauty Tall Fescues, and Perennial Ryegrass. This mix gives you a very dark green lawn that comes in full while being resistant to burning or drying out in hotter environments. A single seven pound bag will cover up to 2,800 square feet, but you can also get a smaller three pound bag that covers 1,200 square feet.

This best grass seed grows in sandy or clay soils without a problem, and you can spread it in partial or full sun. There is an invisible waxy coating on this grass seed that helps to lock in moisture while warding off disease that could impact how well your grass sprouts and grows. It has a superior drought tolerance, and it has grass that is naturally resistant to insects and bugs. The root system will grow very deep, and this helps the grass spring back from high traffic areas.

Benefits:

Coated to hold moisture and repel disease
Naturally insect-resistant
Comes in two size options

Drawbacks:

May not give 100% coverage
Can die off quickly
Takes week to germinate

Jonathan Green Black Beauty Seed

Check Price on Amazon

10. GREENVIEW FAIRWAY FORMULA GRASS SEED

The final choice on the best grass seeds is by GreenView. This is a slightly pickier grass seed that does well in sun and shaded areas, but it prefers four to eight hours of filtered sunlight every day to thrive. The nice thing about this seed is that it has a very fast germination time of 7 to 10 days after you spread it, and this helps you quickly establish your lawn in time for a holiday weekend or the summer months. The enhanced seed mix in this pick ensures you get grass that resists insect infestations, drought, and scorching heat without burning off or dying.

These best grass seeds promise to be 99.9% weed-free to give you a lush lawn. If you’re seeding a new long, this bag will cover up to 5,000 square feet. For seeding an established lawn, this bag can cover twice the distance at 10,000 square feet. You can pair it with a biodegradable mulch and fertilizer that will help lock moisture in and encourage healthy growth. There is a satisfaction guarantee attached to this grass seed, and the company will refund you if you’re not 100% happy with your results.

Benefits:

Comes in three sizes
Cover 5,000 or 10,000 square feet
Very hardy mix of seed with minimal weeds

Drawbacks:

Can take longer than 10 days to germinate
Easy to overwater
Price – more expensive

SALEGreenView Fairway Formula Grass Seed Check Price on Amazon

BEST GRASS SEED BUYER’S GUIDE

Buying grass seed seems like it would be a straightforward process, right? You’ll quickly realize it’s a little more complicated than that, especially when you start looking for the best grass seed for your area. On top of having different types available, it can take work on your part to get them to germinate. This buyer’s guide will quickly run down everything you need to know about picking out the best grass seed below.

The goal is to pick out the best grass seed for your environment to ensure it doesn’t burn off or die before the growing season ends.

CHOOSE A TYPE

If you don’t want to spend money to install artificial grass, you’ll need the real deal. The first thing you have to do is choose a type, and most turf grass will fall into two large categories. You can get cool season and warm season grass, or Southern and Northern. Warm season grass comes from the South, and it does much better in hotter and drier climates. When the temperature cools down for the fall or winter, the grass goes dormant and turns brown.

You want to plant Southern grass late in the springtime. The most common types of warm grass are St. Augustine, Bermuda, Zoysia, and Bahia. Depending on the version, you’ll have to grow it from sod or sprigs instead of seed. You can also reseed your lawn during the dormant period to get a lush green lawn all year round.

Cool season grass comes from the North. This type of grass grows very quickly in the fall and spring months in cooler weather than it does during the hotter summer months. The best time to spread this best grass seed around your yard is in the late summer and early fall. You grow it from seed, and some of the most common varieties are Kentucky Bluegrass, Fescue, and Ryegrass.

If you buy the wrong type of grass, even the best grass seed won’t germinate well. It’ll leave you with a thin, patchy, or burned lawn that takes weeks to repair.

BUYING CONSIDERATIONS

Maybe you have boxwood in your yard that spreads shadows across your lawn and results in patchy areas of grass. If so, following these buying considerations will help you pick out the best grass seed to fill in these areas and bring your lawn back to life.

The first thing you want to do is carefully read the label on the bag. This will outline exactly what types of grass seed the manufacturer included in each package. It’ll tell you if you have a single or multiple types of grass seed, and whether or not it includes other things beside seed. Many people decide to go with pure grass seed because it helps them get a specific look to their yard. Golf greens are a very good example of using a single type of grass seed.

If you have a mixture of grass seed, you’ll have blends of either warm or cool grass seed that create a traditional yard look. Mixtures or blends of different seeds can give your yard a very uniform look, and these mixes are also more resistant to pest infestations and diseases when you compare them to straight grass seed.

Take a look at the bag if you have a mixed grass seed, and double-check what percentages of each grass the manufacturer includes. You want to see grass that will thrive in your yard, regardless of the amount of sunlight or heat, and it should resist drought. You should also see the seed’s estimated germination percentage. This refers to how much of the bag will sprout and grow under ideal conditions, and it should be around 75% or greater.

The best grass seed has a very low number of weeds. Your best grass seed mix should have a weed content that is at or below 0.5%. Whatever brand you choose should have 0% noxious weeds because these are the weeds that can wreak havoc on your lawn. Check and see the amount of fillers and dirt in the seed, and it should be at or under 2%. If your seeds are more than 10 months past the expiration date on the bag, they can fail to germinate.

Weeds mixed into the best grass seed can easily overtake parts of your lawn. When you pull them, you’ll be left with a bare area that you have to fill in until the grass regrows.

BOTTOM LINE

No matter if you’re looking for grass to fill in around your container garden or you just want something to bring your lawn back to life, the best grass seed can help. I picked out 10 of the best grass seed choices on the market from reputable companies and reviewed them for you, and my short buyer’s guide will help you pick out a high-quality mix that will germinate and grow all season long.