Does your yard look a little…blah? Maybe you dream of a lush, green carpet perfect for backyard games or just relaxing on a sunny afternoon. But then you walk down the seed aisle at the store. Rows and rows of bags stare back at you, each promising the best lawn ever. It can feel overwhelming, right?
Choosing the perfect new lawn grass seed is more than just grabbing the cheapest bag. You need grass that handles your hot summers, your shady spots, or maybe even the playful paws of your dog. Picking the wrong seed means wasted money and a lawn that struggles instead of shines. It’s frustrating when your hard work doesn’t pay off with beautiful results.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down the different types of grass so you know exactly what grows best where you live. By the end, you will feel confident picking the ideal seed for your dream lawn. Let’s get that green growing!
Top New Lawn Grass Seed Recommendations
- Grow Thick, Green Turf: Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Sun & Shade Mix features Root-Building Nutrition crafted to help establish deep roots to build a better, stronger lawn
- Sun and Shade Grass: this combination grass seed, fertilizer, and soil improver thrives in a variety of conditions
- Usage: This grass seed mix is designed for full sun and dense shade, and has medium drought resistance with medium to high durability
- Application: Use to seed a new lawn or overseed an existing lawn in the spring or fall when temperatures are between 60°F and 80°F
- Coverage: One 5.6 lb. bag of Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Sun & Shade Mix has a new lawn coverage of 745 sq. ft. and an overseeding coverage of 2,240 sq. ft
- Grows new grass 70% thicker, 35% quicker versus unfed grass
- Improves seeding results--also great for sod and grass plugs
- 24-25-4 fertilizer ratio provides the nutrients for developing lawns
- Safe for any grass type, whether you're planting new grass, starting a new lawn, or reseeding an existing one
- Covers 5,000 sq. ft
- Suitable for establishing new lawns, overseeding existing turf, and repairing damaged lawn areas
- Grass seed mix formulated for dense growth in the specified region
- All-purpose grass seed blend designed for regional climate conditions
- Suitable for areas receiving 4 to 6 hours of sunlight daily
- Pennington Contractors Grass Seed Mix
- Lawn Usage: Grow a thicker, greener lawn versus other Kentucky 31 mixes with Scotts Kentucky 31 Grass Seed Mix which uses a curated blend of seeds that offer benefits beyond what Kentucky 31 alone can provide (see back of bag for more details)
- Kentucky 31 Grass Seed Mix: Blend of Premium Tall Fescue, a dense, dark green grass with heat and drought tolerance; Annual Ryegrass, a quick growing grass; and Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue, an economical, durable and low-maintenance grass
- For Full Sun and Moderate Shade: This 99% weed free mix tolerates many conditions, including heat and drought (once established)
- When to Plant: Plant Scotts Kentucky 31 Grass Seed Mix in the spring or fall, when average daily air temperature stays consistently between 65°F and 85°F; Results in as few as 5 days
- Coverage: One 20 lb. bag of Scotts Kentucky 31 Grass Seed Mix has a new lawn coverage of 1,665 sq. ft. and an overseeding coverage of 5,000 sq. ft.
- Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue is the original turf for your home
- Provides a durable, economical lawn
- Thick blades of grass stand up to hot summers and heavy rains
- For use in full sun to medium-shaded areas
- Produces a lighter green, drought-resistant turf
- Fast Growing Grass Seed: Scotts Turf Builder Rapid Grass Tall Fescue Mix grows grass 2X faster than seed alone (when applied at the new lawn rate, subject to proper care)
- Tall Fescue Mix: Revolutionary mix of grass seed and fertilizer grows full, green grass in just weeks
- Usage: This grass seed mix is for overseeding large problem areas in your lawn and establishing new grass
- Application: Apply this lawn care product in the spring or fall when temperatures are between 60°F and 80°F
- Coverage: One 5.6 lb. bag of Scotts Turf Builder Rapid Grass Tall Fescue Mix has a new lawn coverage of 615 sq. ft. and an overseeding coverage of 1,845 sq. ft.
- Grow Thick, Green Turf: Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Sun & Shade Mix features Root-Building Nutrition crafted to help establish deep roots to build a better, stronger lawn
- Sun and Shade Grass: this combination grass seed, fertilizer, and soil improver thrives in a variety of conditions
- Usage: This grass seed mix is designed for full sun and dense shade, and has medium drought resistance with medium to high durability
- Application: Use to seed a new lawn or overseed an existing lawn in the spring or fall when temperatures are between 60°F and 80°F
- Coverage: One 2.4 lb. bag of Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Sun & Shade Mix has a new lawn coverage of 320 sq. ft. and an overseeding coverage of 960 sq. ft
- Fast Growing Grass Seed: Scotts Turf Builder Rapid Grass Sun & Shade grows grass 2X faster than seed alone (when applied at the new lawn rate, subject to proper care)
- Sun and Shade Grass: Revolutionary mix of grass seed and fertilizer grows full, green grass in just weeks
- Usage: This grass seed mix is for overseeding large problem areas in your lawn and establishing new grass
- Application: Apply this lawn care product in the spring or fall when temperatures are between 60°F and 80°F
- Coverage: One 5.6 lb. bag of Scotts Turf Builder Rapid Grass Sun & Shade Mix has a new lawn coverage of 839 sq. ft. and an overseeding coverage of 2,800 sq. ft.
Your Guide to Choosing the Best New Lawn Grass Seed
Starting a new lawn is exciting! Picking the right grass seed makes all the difference. This guide helps you find the perfect mix for your yard.
1. Key Features to Look For
When you shop, look closely at the seed bag. What features does the company promise?
Seed Variety and Blend
- **Grass Type:** Different grasses work best in different places. Cool-season grasses (like Fescue or Kentucky Bluegrass) thrive in northern climates. Warm-season grasses (like Bermuda or Zoysia) love the heat in the South.
- **Seed Blend:** Most good bags mix several grass types. This blend helps the lawn survive different weather challenges. A good blend offers a thicker, more resilient lawn.
Germination Rate
This number tells you how many seeds are likely to sprout. Look for a high percentage, usually 80% or higher. A low rate means you waste money planting seeds that will never grow.
Purity Percentage
Purity shows how much of the bag is actual grass seed. High purity means less filler material, weed seeds, or other debris. Aim for 95% purity or better.
2. Important Materials in the Bag
The seed itself is important, but other materials help it grow.
Inert Matter
This is the non-seed material. It should be very low. High inert matter means you are paying for dirt or chaff instead of grass!
Weed Seed Content
This is vital. Check the label to ensure the weed seed percentage is extremely low—ideally zero. You do not want to plant a bag full of unwanted weeds!
Coating (Optional but Helpful)
Some premium seeds have a coating. This coating often includes nutrients or fungicides to protect the seed as it sprouts. This coating can speed up the initial growth.
3. Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
What makes one bag better than another? It often comes down to how the seed handles stress.
Drought Tolerance
If you live where summers are dry, choose a seed blend known for drought tolerance. These grasses need less water once established.
Shade Tolerance
Do you have many big trees? Standard grass struggles in the shade. Look for specific “shade-tolerant” varieties if your yard doesn’t get full sun.
Disease Resistance
Good quality seed is often treated or bred to resist common lawn diseases. This reduces the need for you to use harsh chemicals later on.
4. User Experience and Use Cases
Think about where you are planting the seed.
New Lawn vs. Overseeding
If you are starting a bare patch of dirt, you need a “new lawn” mix. If you are just thickening up an existing thin lawn, you use a product called “overseeding” seed, which often grows faster.
Traffic Tolerance
Do kids or pets play hard on your lawn? Select a blend with high traffic tolerance, like certain types of Rye or Bluegrass. These grasses bounce back quickly from heavy use.
Choosing the right seed saves time and frustration. Always match the seed type to your local climate and the amount of sun your yard receives.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About New Lawn Grass Seed
Q: How much seed do I need for my yard?
A: Check the bag instructions. They usually tell you how many pounds (lbs) to use per 1,000 square feet. Measure your lawn first to calculate the total amount needed.
Q: When is the best time to plant new grass seed?
A: For cool-season grasses, early fall is usually best. For warm-season grasses, late spring or early summer works best. Planting when temperatures are moderate helps the seeds sprout.
Q: Should I mix fertilizer with my seed?
A: Yes, using a starter fertilizer when you plant helps the tiny seedlings establish strong roots quickly. Follow the directions for starter fertilizer use.
Q: How often should I water the new seed?
A: Keep the top inch of soil consistently moist until the seeds sprout. This might mean watering lightly several times a day. Once the grass grows tall, you can water less often but more deeply.
Q: What does “endophyte-enhanced” mean?
A: This means the grass seed has a natural partnership with a fungus that lives inside the plant. This fungus helps protect the grass from certain insects, making the lawn healthier.
Q: Can I use cheap, big-box store seed?
A: You can, but cheap seed often has lower purity and a low germination rate. This usually means you end up buying more seed later because so much of it fails to grow.
Q: How long does it take for grass seed to sprout?
A: This depends on the type. Annual Rye sprouts very fast, sometimes in 5–7 days. Kentucky Bluegrass can take 2–3 weeks.
Q: Why is my seed not growing even though I water it?
A: Check the soil temperature. If it is too cold or too hot for that specific grass type, the seed will stay dormant. Also, ensure the soil is not washing away.
Q: What is the difference between Annual Rye and Perennial Rye?
A: Annual Rye lives for only one season, so you must replant it yearly. Perennial Rye lives for several years, making it a better choice for a lasting lawn.
Q: Do I need to rake the seed in after spreading it?
A: Yes, lightly raking the seed into the top layer of soil is highly recommended. This protects the seed from birds and ensures good seed-to-soil contact, which is necessary for germination.