Best Grass Seeds

Discover the Best Grass Seed to Keep Your Lawn Looking Great

Updated July 5, 2019

Seeding the area around your property seems like the most basic lawn care job you’ll encounter. However, there are a number of things to consider. These factors include climate, the technique you use, the time of year, and of course, seeds. The type of grass seeds you use has a huge impact on the long-term quality of your lawn. That’s why it’s important to research different types of seeds to ensure you’re using a species that’s suitable to the environment. In addition, the color and texture of your grass is directly connected to the seeds. All of a sudden, seeding may not seem so straightforward. In fact, you may be feeling a little stressed out about it. The last thing you want to do is put down seeds that end up not germinating or dying the first time the seasons change. To help you out, we’re going over our top three choices for the best grass seeds on the market. Let’s get started.

Show ContentsHide Contents

CONTENTS

Best Grass Seeds for Lawns and Garden
1. Jonathan Green Black Beauty Ultra Grass Seed

2. Scotts Sun and Shade Mix
3. Pennington Smart Seed Dense Shade Grass

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s,Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s,Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s,

– By Jone Doe

( See Our Expert )

Best Grass Seeds for Lawns and Garden

Grass Seeds

Get the Best Grass Seed with Our Recommendations.

Bottom Line

About

Editor's insights

Editor's Choice

Jonathan Green

Black Beauty Ultra Grass Seed

Price Check

Bottom Line

Our top choice for grass seeds goes to Jonathan Green Black Beauty Ultra Grass Seed. These seeds come in a 7-pound bag that will provide 2,800 square feet of coverage.

About

This is a grass seed blend that contains a diverse mix of black beauty tall fescues, perennial ryegrass, and Elite Kentucky Bluegrass. The result is a dark green color that produces a full, uniform lawn. This blend thrives well in areas of high heat and drought. It also acts as a natural insect repellent. Roots for these grass blades can grow up to 4 inches deep. They have an invisible waxy coating which works to prevent disease and lock in moisture, which is why it’s great for dry climates. Overall, this is a very strong seed and has the ability to flourish in a wide range of environments. That’s why it’s our #1 choice.

Editor's insights

This seed is packaged fresh and is actually priced better than other comparable seeds. After seeding, the grass grows as expected and has a beautiful deep green color. In addition to being a great foundation seed, it’s also effective when filling in bald patches in your yard. The blades are thick, which translates to a very lush lawn once fully grown. For best results, make sure you prepare the soil before seeding. Consider laying down peat moss for even germination. You can also use this product for reseeding and expect it to blend well with your existing grass. Black Beauty Ultra Grass Seed is reliable if you live in the desert or other hot, dry regions. However, it also thrives in cooler temperatures as well. Pound for pound, this is a very consistent seed.

Value Pick

Scotts

Sun and Shade Mix

Price Check

Bottom Line

Scott’s guarantees this mix will grow faster, thicker, and greener grass.

About

The Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed – Sun and Shade Mix is an extremely versatile product that grows quickly and produces bright green grass. Furthermore, it’s designed to stay green, even in extreme conditions such as heavy shade or intense sun. It spreads quickly, which makes it great for repairing thinning or bald areas. Each seed is wrapped in Scott’s WaterSmart PLUS Coating, which absorbs two times more water than other seeds and provides essential nutrients for maximum growth. The coating also helps protect it from disease.

Editor's insights

After applying Scott’s Turf Builder Grass Seed and keeping up with regular watering, you should see results within the first two weeks. In about a month you’ll have thick grass. This mix grows extremely quickly. In fact, if used to fill in bald or thinning areas, there’s a good chance it’ll shoot up above the surrounding grass. This product will produce healthy grass in the most extreme heat. It also thrives in shaded areas that don’t get much sun. If you’re reseeding your lawn or repairing damaged areas, this is the seed for you. However, it’s important you follow the instructions carefully or you risk the grass dying in a matter of months. Make sure you read the packaging before application.

Contender

Pennington

Smart Seed Dense Shade Grass

Price Check

Bottom Line

The Pennington Smart Seed Dense Shade Grass Seed Mix comes in a 7-pound bag and covers up to 1,750 square feet.

About

This product is specifically designed to thrive in shaded areas and is formulated to outperform other shaded seed mixes. It uses up to 30% less water than other ordinary grass seeds. This mix produces fine blades and comes in thick and lush. It requires much less maintenance than other grasses and is developed using Pennington’s Penkoted technology, which protects it from dangerous fungus. This increases the chances of successful germination and growth.

Editor's insights

If you’re dealing with large amounts of shaded area in your yard, this is the seed mix for you. This grass can grow anywhere. It can even grow in 100% shade without a problem. The application couldn’t be easier. If you don’t have time to prep your soil, just throw this mix down and get results within a week or so. It comes in fast and has a beautiful, bright green color. You can even apply this seed to dying sod and it will take over and produce a healthy lawn in no time. One thing to consider is that the bag runs out pretty quick. Depending on the size of your lawn, you may want to buy a little extra just to play it safe. In addition, if you overwater, there’s a chance this seeds can die off quickly, meaning you’ll need to reapply it. Remember, this is made to thrive in heavy shade and doesn’t require the amount of moisture other seeds do.

What to Look for When Evaluating Grass Seeds

Using grass seeds instead of sod on your property means you have a lot more control over the outcome. However, this also means you need to educate yourself on the type of seeds you use. The success of your lawn requires you to find a seed that grows well in your region. Regardless of the species, it’s imperative you work with high-quality seeds.

There are two types of turf grass, either cool or warm season. Warm season comes from the south and thrives in hotter climates. In the fall and winter, this grass will go dormant and turn brown. Cool season turf grass comes from the north and typically grows very quickly in the fall and spring. Instead of turning brown in the winter, it does so during the summer months. Late summer or early fall is the best time to plant it.

You’ll also need to consider why you’re seeding your lawn and the conditions around your home. If you’re simply filling in problem areas, going with a seed mix is fine. However, if you’re completely reseeding, you may want a specific species. You’ll need to look into the characteristics of the species you’re considering before making a purchase. It’s also a good idea to evaluate your lawn to determine how much shade and sun it gets. Finally, if your lawn gets a lot of traffic, you’ll need to apply grass with deep roots.

Shopping Guide for Grass Seeds

When shopping around for grass seed, make sure you check out the packaging to determine what type of seeds are included. You’ll also need to consider any additional materials such as fertilizers or chemicals. If you’re trying to achieve a specific look and texture, you’ll need a straight seed instead of a mix. However, keep in mind that mixes are typically more resistant to diseases and are better if you want uniformity out of your grass.

When buying mixes, there will be a percentage of each species in the bag. Make sure you only purchase mixes that state the percentage. If it doesn’t specify the percentage, then it is an indication of poor quality. It’s also a good idea to read and follow the directions for use. The packaging should list a germination percentage. This refers to how much of the seed you can expect to germinate if conditions are perfect. Make sure you only buy grass seeds with a germination percentage of 75 or higher.

In addition, you can expect a small number of weeds in every bag of grass seeds. Try to find a product with less than 0.5%. Never buy seeds that have noxious weeds, as these can damage your lawn. Any inert matter should be lower than 2%. Finally, don’t buy seeds that are over 10 months past the expiration date.

Why Grass Seeds?

Whether you are looking to redo your entire lawn or just patch up a spot of dead grass, the seeds on this page are great choices for hardy, fresh grass.

What are the Benefits of Grass Seeds

When it comes to adding grass to your lawn, there are two primary options – grass seed or sod. One of the main benefit of seeds is they are far less expensive. In fact, you could end up paying 90% less if you seed your lawn yourself than if you purchase sod. Repairing problem areas with seeds is also very affordable. In fact, many people who installed sod end up using seeds to fill in sparse areas. Sometimes the seeds end up taking over the existing grass.

Another benefit of seeds is you have more choices. You can mix species together to get grass that thrives well in your region and also has the look and feel you’re after. Grass seeds are also much better at fighting off diseases, especially mixes. Manufacturers now provide chemical modifications that help seeds ward off deadly fungus and other diseases while growing. Sod, on the other hand, is more vulnerable.

Finally, when compared to sod, grass seeds are much less labor intensive. It’s relatively easy to spread seeds and perform the necessary watering to ensure they remain healthy. Sod, on the other hand, come in pieces and must be laid individually. This is a huge, messy job. Sure, you can have it installed by professionals, but this will just add to the price.

Take the best care of your lawn with our other favorite weed and grass products.

Best Grass Seeds