5 Best Grass Seed to Buy for a Healthy and Green Lawn

Our Pick for the Best Grass Seed

Pennington Smart Seed Sun and Shade Seeds

Pennington Sun and Shade Smart Seeds Mix

These super Best Grass Seed are pretty tough and can survive in almost any kind of climate and even sandy soil will not stop them from flourishing. The seeds can be planted in full sun or in moderate shade. With a quick rate of germination, they will spring to life into a beautiful green lawn. One of the best aspects of the Pennington Super Seeds is that they are very low maintenance and require less watering, which will save you money on your water bill.

How to Choose The Best Grass Seed For Your Lawn

Your choice of grass seed will depend on what you want to use it for, so to be able to find the right seed for your lawn's needs, consider these six questions:
  • Are you planting a new lawn from scratch or do you have bare patches that need to be covered quickly?
  • Does your yard have a lot of shade from trees, or does it receive a lot of sun, partial or no sun at all?
  • Do you prefer a certain variety of grass seeds, like Red Fescue, or would you prefer a mix of different seed varieties?
  • How much time do you have to dedicate to the maintenance of your lawn? Are you “time-poor” and prefer a low maintenance type of grass seed that does not need a lot of watering? If you do not have time to regularly water the lawn, why not choose a grass variety that is drought resistant or has been specifically designed to retain water.
  • What type of soil do you have, is it clay-based or sandy soil? What is the pH level of the soil? If you are not sure about your soil type or pH levels, you can always consult your local gardening store for advice. Some grass seed manufacturers will display the type of soil pH or soil type that is right for their particular type of grass mix.
As well as the above six questions, you also need to consider the climate where you live, and the types of grass that are best suited to that climate.
Do you live in a warm climate that has a lot of hot sun and experiences periods of drought? Maybe you live in a cooler climate where there is a lot of rain? All of these questions will determine what type of grass seed is the right fit for your lawn.
Some grass types thrive in cooler temperatures, while other types grow faster in a warmer climate. There are grasses that prefer a dry arid climate, while others prefer a wet climate.
If you find that your grass is not growing, chances are the grass seed is not suited for your geographic area and its particular climate.
For example, if you live in the United States, choosing the right seasonal grass will depend on the particular geographic location or zone in which your state is located.
The U.S.A. is split into four zones:
Cool/Humid Zone. The Cool/Humid Zone contains areas like the Northeast and some of the Midwestern states.
Cool/Arid. The Cool/Arid zone contains some of the drier areas of the Midwest and West.
Warm/ Arid. The Warm/Arid zone contains the states in the South-West
Warm/Humid. The Warm/Humid zone contains states in the South-East and also the Gulf States
Then there is another geographic area called the transition zone, which can be more of a challenge for gardeners to find the right kind of grass seed. The Transition Zone experiences all four of the above climates. Here is a map which shows the particular states that fall into these four zones.
As well as these basic four zones as outlined above you can also access a more detailed map, a Turfgrass Selection Climate Color Coded map, which divides the U.S into 11 separate planting zones, depending on whether you live in a warm or cool zone.
Once you have found out which geographical or temperature zone your state falls into, you can start looking for the particular grass type that will work best in your area.

Types of Grass Seed

Grass seeds fall into two types: cool season grasses and warm season grasses.

Cool Season Grass

Cool season grasses predominately thrive in the cool/humid and cool/arid zones, which are contained in the Northern/Northeast and Midwest sections of the U.S. Cool season grasses are very hardy and they are a good choice as they can withstand colder temperatures but they can also tolerate some heat. They grow the best in temperatures that range from 65°F to 80°F and should be planted during the spring and fall months. Some of them can handle long periods of drought as they go dormant and then start to grow again in the cooler months.
Except for the coldest winters, cool season grasses will continue to grow to a certain extent while they are under snow cover. It is best to plant cool season grasses in the fall so that they have time to take root before the winter season arrives.

Examples of Cool Season Grasses:

Some popular examples of cool-season grasses include Ryegrass, Kentucky Bluegrass, and Red Fescue.
Kentucky bluegrass is one of the most popular cool season grasses due to its fine blade blue-green appearance and general all-around tolerance to a variety of growing conditions.
Ryegrass is another popular cool season grass that provides excellent cover in high traffic areas, and it is also a very good choice for those gardeners who need to cover bare patches in their lawn quickly, as it has a fast germination rate.
Red Fescue or Creeping Red Fescue is the ideal choice for a garden that has full or partial shade areas with some exposure to sun, and for gardeners who prefer a low maintenance lawn. Creeping Red Fescue can provide good ground cover all year round and can withstand drought conditions, and can be used in zones 1-7, and in areas that have winters that have temperatures that drop to -15°F. Red Fescue is not ideal for areas that have warmer winters as the lack of freezing winter temperatures do not provide the necessary time for the seeds’ dormancy.

Warm Season Grasses

Warm season grasses grow well in the summer months and tend to be very drought resistant, so they are also ideal for lawns that are situated in the southern states. They thrive in gardens that receive a lot of sun and grow the best in temperatures that range from 75°F to 90°F. During the cooler seasons around late fall and into the winter months, the grass will become dormant and turn brown and will grow once again when the warmer seasons begin to arrive.

Examples of Warm Season Grasses:

Some popular examples of warm season grasses include Bermuda, Zoysia, St. Augustine, Bahia, and Buffalo.
Bermuda grass is very durable and requires little maintenance and tolerates drought conditions very well, but it is not tolerant of shady areas.
Zoysia grass is a low-maintenance grass that produces a dense growth and can grow in a large variety of soils, from sandy to clay and alkaline to acid. Although it is predominantly found in the Southern States, it has been found in some parts of the north like New York and Chicago.
St. Augustine grass has heat resistant qualities and it is ideal for humid parts of the Southern and Gulf states, but it does not tolerate cool temperatures very well.
Bahiagrass does very well in sandy, slightly acidic soils and in full sun conditions, and it is a low maintenance turfgrass that requires minimal watering and fertilizing, but it does not develop the thick, rich look of other grasses. It can withstand a lot of activity and can survive short periods of drought, but does not handle the cold weather very well.
Buffalo grass is one of the few native kinds of grass in the United States, and it can be found in the west of the Mississippi, and in many semi-arid regions of Texas and other areas in the southwest. It can withstand near freezing temperatures for short periods and extended drought periods but does not do very well in high activity areas.

5 Best Grass Seed Reviews

1. Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue 50lbs Grass Seed

Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue Grass Seed

Kentucky 31 have designed their tall fescue grass seed to grow into a low-maintenance lawn that has a high tolerance to heat, so it is ideal for areas that experience a lot of sun as it is drought resistant. Although Kentucky 31 has been specially adapted for the cool planting zones that are unique to the North-eastern states, it also does very well in some warmer areas of the U.S. The best time to plant Kentucky 31 is early Spring or early Fall and it will germinate quickly to produce a thick, soft green even coverage for an area of 350 sq. ft. per pound, and it is low maintenance and weed and disease resistant. If your lawn hosts a lot of activity, this is the ideal grass seed for you as it holds up well under heavy traffic.
To get the best growth rate out of the seeds is to plant them in well aerated soil and in full sun, or partly shaded areas that receive at least 4-8 hours of sun a day. Kentucky 31 is fast growing and will result in a healthy lawn that will be the envy of your neighbors and a delight for your kids to play on.

What we like:

  • Economical
  • Low maintenance
  • Drought-tolerant
  • Grows well in direct sunlight and partly shaded areas
  • Produces thick green grass

What we don't like:

  • Expensive
  • Not ideal for pasture with grazing cattle and horses

2. DC Earth 5LBS Creeping Red Fescue (Festuca Rubra) Grass Seed

DC Earth 5LBS Creeping Red Fescue Grass Seed

DC Earth Creeping Red Fescue Grass Seed is the ideal choice for a garden that has full or partial shade areas with some exposure to sun, and for gardeners who prefer a low maintenance lawn. Creeping Red Fescue is a hardy type of grass that can provide good ground cover all year round and can withstand drought conditions. It can be used in zones 1-7, and in areas that have winter temperatures of -15°F. These seeds are not ideal for zones 9-11 that have warmer winters as the lack of freezing winter temperatures do not provide the necessary time for the seeds’ dormancy. DC Earth grass seeds can help with erosion control and will attract wildlife to your lawn or meadow. The seeds are very hardy and can be planted in well-drained, dry or average soil, and they can tolerate soil types like sandy soil, loamy soil, acidic soil, and dry soil.
To get the best results, the seeds need to be planted in the cooler months and they should start to bring forth rich green shoots in mid-summer, and once the grass reaches its maturity, it will provide an even coverage of 90-150lbs per acre and grow up to 12”- 24” in height.

What we like:

  • Ideal for full or partial shade areas with some exposure to sun
  • High rate of germination
  • Provides very good coverage
  • Drought-tolerant
  • Creates a beautiful lush green lawn

What we don't like:

  • Not ideal for full sun areas

3. Jonathan Green 10765 Fall Magic Grass 3 lbs Seed Mix

Jonathan Green Fall Magic Grass Seed Mix

Jonathan Green Fall Magic Grass Seed Mix is a good choice if you need to cover any unsightly bare patches of soil, or if you want to start a new small to medium sized lawn. The seed mix is also ideal for those lawns that have been summer damaged or have been ravaged by insects as the seed is engineered to be disease and insect resistant. The fall magic mixture is specially formulated for seeding in late summer to early fall, and as the seed mix contains ryegrass, bluegrass, and creeping red fescue, the seeds have an all-around tolerance to a variety of growing conditions. To get the fastest germination rate, the seeds should be planted in well-moisturized soil that has a pH level of 6.5 to 6.8. You can plant the seeds in a sunny or shady area, and the 3lb mixture will cover up to 1500 square feet and will grow into an attractive green lawn.
Although the seeds are drought resistant and are capable of preserving moisture when they are fully grown, it is recommended that you carefully follow the product's instructions to give your lawn the best start in life.

What we like:

  • Good value for money
  • Fast germination
  • Ideal for sunny or shady areas
  • Ideal for covering bare patches
  • Attractive dark green lawn

What we don't like:

  • Need to buy more bags for a large sized lawn

4. Scotts Turf Builder Quick Fix 3 Lbs Mix

Scotts Turf Builder Quick Fix Mix

If you need to cover those bare spots in your garden, or just need some fast-growing turf, Scotts Turf Builder is a great choice. This weed-free mix can be used in shady or sunny areas in well-aerated soil and will provide good, even ground cover for up to 750 sq. ft. Scotts Turf Builder has been specially designed for use in the Northern States and as it contains perennial ryegrass, seeds that grow best when temperatures are between 60-80°F.
With its fast germination rate, you will start to see the first rich green blades emerge in about 1 week for small areas and up to 2 weeks for larger areas of your lawn. Scotts Turf Builder is specially designed for covering bare spots in your lawn, but if you want the mix to cover a larger area of your lawn, you will need to spread the seeds evenly and regularly water the seeds in the early stages of germination. If you want to use the mix to kick-start a brand new lawn for a small to medium sized area, you will need to purchase additional bags of seeds.

What we like:

  • Good value for money
  • Ideal for sunny or shady areas
  • Quick germination rate
  • Ideal for covering bare patches of lawn
  • Good coverage and erosion control
  • 99.9% weed free
  • Creates a rich green lawn

What we don't like:

  • Not ideal for planting a large lawn

5. Pennington Smart Seed 7 Lbs Sun and Shade Seeds

Pennington Smart Seed Sun and Shade Seeds

Pennington Smart Seed Mix is one of the top-selling grass seed products in the Northern States of the U.S. It is a very versatile seed mix that is engineered to be drought, heat, and disease resistant. It can survive in almost any type of climate and soil type, so you could also use it if you live in the southern states. The secret to its success is the Myco Advantage technology, which helps to create a dense root system that allows the grass to retain water to endure drought and tough summer heat. Pennington’s Penkoted technology also protects the seed from deadly fungus by enabling the seed to establish itself faster during the early stages of germination, when it is most susceptible to the ravages of disease. This pure-bred premium smart seed mix contains cool season grasses like Tall Fescue, Red Fescue, and Kentucky Bluegrass, which will thrive in those sunny areas of your garden that receives from 4-8 hours of sun per day, but it also grows very well in moderately shady areas.
The 7lb bag of seeds can cover up to 2300 sq. ft. and with a quick 7-14 day seed germination period, you will be the proud host of a beautiful dark blue-green fine bladed lawn.
The grass is low maintenance and does not require a lot of watering, which can save you up to 30% more water year after year.CLICK HERE

What we like:

  • Very good rate of germination
  • Drought, heat, and disease resistant
  • Ideal for sunny and shady areas
  • Attractive bright green lawn
  • Low maintenance
  • Economical

What we don't like:

  • Expensive

Our Pick for the Best Grass Seed

Pennington Smart Seed Sun and Shade Seeds

Pennington Sun and Shade Smart Seeds Mix

These super seeds are pretty tough and can survive in almost any kind of climate and even sandy soil will not stop them from flourishing. The seeds can be planted in full sun or in moderate shade. With a quick rate of germination, they will spring to life into a beautiful green lawn. One of the best aspects of the Pennington Super Seeds is that they are very low maintenance and require less watering, which will save you money on your water bill.

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