Luscious and dewy lawns do not just spring from anywhere; homeowners need to put a considerate amount of effort and time to get their lawns neatly trimmed.
In most cases, In addition to buying very good lawn mower, the choice of the grass seed is considered as the secret sauce to transforming a lawn from abysmally-sparse to lush green.
However, grass seeds will only make that a reality, provided you choose the right kind of grass.
Here's the thing, there exists a variety of grass seeds in the market, and each specifically suited for different uses, soil, and even climate.
Whether you're patching up a damaged or buying grass seeds for a new lawn, you must choose a suitable grass seed.
Choosing the wrong is not only a waste of money, but the grass seeds will struggle to germinate and grow due to the soil, lighting, and weather conditions.
More importantly, the wrong type of grass seeds may grow into unsightly lawns that might detract, rather than complement the aesthetics of your home.
To make the process of selecting easier, we tested some seeds over two years, researched manufacturer product trends and scoured through the internet to bring you the best grass seeds in the market.
PRODUCT NAME | Features | Seeding Rate? (Sq Ft per Pound) | BUY NOW |
|---|---|---|---|
Premium Pure Grass Seeds | ~175.0 | ||
75% Coated Argentine Bahiagrass and 25% Browntop Mille | - | ||
Contains Patented Variety Of Self-Repairing Tall Fescue | 100.0 | ||
Other Great Recommendations | |||
98% Pure Seed | 300.0 | ||
Perennial Ryegrass | 250.0 | ||
Includes Ryegrass, Bluegrass And Fescue Grass | 500.0 | ||
100% Grass Seed Mixture - No Coatings or Fillers | 350.0 | ||
Best 7 Grass Seeds In The Market For The Money
JRK Shade Grass Seed
The manufacturer markets the JRK as an ideal option for the moist and shady areas.
This seed will allow you to achieve a beautifully curated lush green lawn in the shady areas, such as those underneath the canopy of trees.
It’s a superb option in lawns that are not exposed to sunlight for the better part of the day, or the lawns growing in moist and damp conditions.
An economical grass, JRK Ultra-Dense Shade Grass Seed, does not require constant fertilization. In any case, it will only require you to fertilize the grass no more than four times a year.
For optimal growth, however, we recommend that you fertilize and water for at least three times a year.
A highly resistant grass seed, this Shade Grass Seed functions well under trees and is an incredible option for overseeding. It’s the ideal solution where other grass seeds have failed to grow.
The JRK Ultra-Dense Shade Grass Seed undergoes a sophisticated manufacturing process, and it’s ingrained with the best blend of ingredients to spur growth in shady and moist conditions.
Regarding packaging, theses seeds do not come with the standard plastic materials, but they’re available in breathable clothing bags.
Pros
- Grows in shady locations
- Low maintenance-no need to fertilize
- Ideal for overseeding the problematic regions of your lawn
- Germinates fast
Cons
- Requires a lot of watering
Check JRK Ultra Price On Amazon
Hancock's Argentine Bahia Grass Seed Mix (Coated) - Premium Choice
The Argentine Bahia Grass Seed Mix is truly a unique grass seed.
Unlike the JRK that is always hungry for water, this grass variant comes with 10 to 12 feet of root structure, meaning it's nearly self-sufficient and does not require irrigation.
Since this grass variant does not require irrigation, it’s ideally suited for the warm season climates such as lawns and pastures in Florida and other Southern states.
According to users, the Argentine Bahia delivers a lush, wide-bladed, and aesthetically appealing pasture grass, thus creating the perfect curb appeal.
Like the JRK, the Bahia is a low-maintenance grass and environmental friendly.
More importantly, this grass variant is highly resistant to diseases and an insect, meaning it’s also an economical option since you’ll not need to spray it with pesticides regularly.
The Argentine Bahia produces great coverage within your lawn and will prevent seed erosion.
The Bahia seeds are also known for retaining moisture within the soil.
What users love most about this grass is the short germination period. Though the actual growing cycling to full lawn is slightly over a month, the Bahia starts to germinate in as little as seven days.
If you’re using Argentine Bahia for overseeding, ensure you keep the seeded section watered and mowed.
This Hancock seed works exceptionally well when planted during the rainy season. The manufacturer recommends that you place hay over the seeds after plantation to deter birds from eating them.
Pros
- Environmentally friendly grass seeds
- Insect and diseases resistant
- Does not require irrigation
- Fast germination/Short growth cycle
Cons
- Not ideal for the cool regions
Water Saver Grass Seed - Best Value
A value-packed grass seed, the WaterSaver Grass Seed germinates within a week.
A versatile unit, the WaterSaver Grass Seed is ideal for both the sunny and humid conditions, meaning it’s suitable for regions with transition climates.
Like the Hancock Argentine Bahia, the WaterSaver Grass Seed is deep-rooted, meaning it's less reliant on constant watering.
More importantly, the deep rooting makes it an ideal option where there is constant foot traffic.
Going far and beyond what we expect, the WaterSaver Grass Seed is a low-maintenance and self-repairing grass. This means that this grass variant excels at knitting your lawn together and quickly filing the damaged or open lawn spots.
Boasting of a proprietary RTF Fescue, this grass variant will create a robust root system with less overseeding.
Again, like the Hancock Argentine Bahia, these grass variant is disease and insect resistant. It will stand up to the stressful conditions to create a beautiful and lush green lawn.
While the WaterSaver Grass Seed will excel even when exposed to all-day sun, users experienced results even in the relatively shaded areas.
What we love about this grass is that once it sets it roots on the ground, it grows at a steady pace
Our only concern with this grass is that it often showed signs of dryness, especially in the hot and harsh weather. The good news is, you can remedy that by watering it during the dry conditions.
Pros
- Self-repair
- Ideal on a variety of regions
- Low- maintenance
Cons
- Might show signs of dryness in the harsh sun
Check WaterSaver Price On Amazon
Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue Grass Seed - Best for Sandy and Clay Soils
Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue Grass Seeds were discovered in 1931, thus the term Kentucky 31.
This seed is approximately 7 mm long and is easily distinguishable, thanks to the egg-shaped orientation.
Ideally, these seeds do well when planted during the spring and will easily cover 1,000 square feet of land on a six pound-size bag.
Provided that you keep watering during the germination period, this fescue seed with grow lush in a record time of 45 days.
So, as you approach summer, you can expect this fescue grass to sprout into a glossy, green glass that is candy to the eye.
A major highlight of the Kentucky grass is that it does extremely well in the well-drained, sandy, and clay soils.
What is great about these grass seeds is that they are weed tolerant and well worth every dime you pay for them.
Another incredible feature on these seed grass is that they’re ideal for repairing the burn spots that may have been caused by your pets or even kids.
Similarly, these grass seeds are incredible for repairing the damaged lawns. All you have to do is simply loosen the soils in these areas and sprinkle these fescue seeds.
Pros
- Repairs damaged lawns
- Copes with foot traffic
- Extensive coverage
Cons
- Birds love these seeds
Check Kentucky 31 Price On Amazon
Scotts Turf Builder Quick Fix Mix - Best Repair/Fixing Seed
The Scotts Turf Builder is an ideal grass seed for those looking to cover the bare spots in their garden and simply need some fast-growing turf.
This three-pound bag of seed is a weed-free mix that can be used either in shady or sunny areas, provided there’s well-aerated air.
It's designed to cover a generous area of 750 square feet of lawn.
However, understand that this type of grass is a mix; therefore, it’s not a perennial grass, rather than a one-season grass. It’s primarily manufactured to provide a quick fix or growing seasonal to repair grass.
Nonetheless, it’s an ideal option to quickly and effectively green up the bare patches on your lawn or do some spot lawn repair.
A fast-growing commodity, the Scotts Turf, will pop in the bare patches from anywhere from 4 to 7 days. However, for optimal growth, it will require days of love, care, and water.
In three weeks, the Scott Turf will reach 3 inches, a mower ready height. So, planting and growing of this grass seed can take in as short as a month.
The Scotts Turf is specially designed for use in the Northern states. A perfect option or use under the full sun or dense shade, this grass seed grows best in temperatures between 60-80°F.
Pros
- Quick growth
- Prevents soil erosion
- 99% weed-free
- Easy to apply
Cons
- Grows for one season
Jonathan Green Fall Magic Grass Seed - Best Grass Seed for Winter Protection
The Jonathan Green Fall Magic Grass Seed is a truly unique grass seed meant for plantation at the beginning of fall.
Like Scotts Turf we have reviewed above, the Jonathan Seed is specifically manufactured to complement your existing grass.
However, the Jonathan Green Fall Magic Grass Seed is suited to supplement your grass during winter season.
If you’re landscaping enthusiasts, you are all aware of how harsh the winter season can be on your grass, especially the sensitive grass.
This grass does exceptionally well over the winter and will survive in the cooler months.
The Jonathan Green Fall Magic Grass Seed is formulated using a special blend of ingredients that include ryegrass, Dakota grass, and other pertinent ingredients.
The overall formulation on this grass makes resilient enough to thrive regardless of the environmental conditions.
While Jonathan Green Fall Magic Grass Seed is generally considered as a lawn supplement, it can equally stand on its own.
We love that this grass will grow even as the sun gets lower, and it's equally drought and shade resistant.
A low maintenance type of grass, you simply need to plat Jonathan Green Fall Magic Grass Seed and let Mother Nature take care of the rest.
Pros
- Low maintenance
- No soil preparation
- Repairs summer damage
Cons
- Doesn’t germinate
X-Seed - Best Mixed Seed
The X-Seed is yet another great option for the northern regions.
Provided you give this grass the attention it requires, it will grow into a lush, green, and beautiful lawn.
This 20-pound offering from X-seed can cover up to 14,000 square feet for the existing lawn and up to 7,000 square feet for a new lawn. Either way, these seeds will provide you with the value for every dime you paid for.
The X-Seed Ultra Premium is fast germination and it takes 7-10 to germinate, provided you water the grass at least three times daily.
The lawn, however, will grow into maturity after a year, offering a stunning and quality blend of grass seed including improved Kentucky, fine fescues and ryegrass.
This grass seed does extremely well in sunlight. However, it can also do particularly well in shady conditions, provided it receives at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight daily.
Pros
- Does well in Northern regions
- Low maintenance
- Fast germination period
Cons
- Not ideal for cold seasons
Grass Seed Buying Guide
When choosing the best grass seed for your needs, you need to consider several factors. And in the section below, we shall look at some of the critical factors to consider before planting grass seeds.
How Much Do You Use Your Lawn?
Some of the grass seeds cannot handle foot traffic.
So if you'll be using your yard frequently or have kids or pets that like playing in the outdoors, you need a grass seed that does more than looking nice. But it should be durable as well.
Region
What region do you live in? What is the general weather condition? What type of soils does your region have?
See, the topography, weather, and soil Edaphology will greatly influence the type of grass seed you get.
For instance, if you live in a condition that experiences scorching summers alongside frequent droughts, you should choose a warm-season grass.
On the other hand, if you experience warm weather with bouts of snowy conditions, you should choose cold season grass seeds.
Purpose
Are you reseeding or simply filling some bald spots on your lawn?
Determining the purpose of your grass seed not only determines the type of seeds you purchase, but also the quantity of seeds.
Conclusion
As you have already seen, there're several types of grass seeds in the market.
Each of the seeds we’ve described above is uniquely manufactured to meet the landscaping needs of the different users.
Which one between these do you think will address your needs? As always, let us know in the comments section.
Happy seeding!
Editor Notes:
How can I prepare my lawn for seeding?
Lawn preparations require a systematic approach. First, identify and inspect the place you want to put your lawn. Fence it and get your tools ready. You’ll need to remove debris and large rocks. Use a tiller to remove compact soil. Once you have the smooth soil, you can then prepare for seeding.
How long should you stay off a newly seeded lawn?
It is advised to stay off the area for at least 12 weeks or two months. Again you’ll need to fence or restrict the lawn to allow the grass to germinate easily. Germinating grass is sensitive and needs extra care for quality grass. Until the grass develops, a robust root system is where you walk on it.
Can the grass grow in any area?
There is specific grass for different geographical regions. You’ll need to analyze the soil type and general environmental conditions to pick the right grass for your lawn. This will prevent losses that come with picking any grass.