Are you planning to grow a new lawn but not sure which grass seed to choose? Don't worry, we've got you covered! In this blog post, we'll guide you through the best grass seed for new lawn, no matter your soil type and climate. Let's get started!
Here are the best grass seeds for new lawn you can buy in 2024:
- Best For Extreme Conditions: Scotts 18334
- Best For Darker Green Lawn: Pennington 100543729
- Best For Superior Drought Tolerance: Jonathan Green 10323
- Best For Lighter Green Turf: Pennington 100543701
- Best For Acidic Sandy Soil: Gulf Kist Seed Centipede Grass Seed
- Fast Growing: Eretz Creeping Red Fine Fescue Seed
| 6 Best Grass Seeds For New Lawn | ||
|---|---|---|
Best For Extreme Conditions | Scotts 18334 | |
Best For Darker Green Lawn | Pennington 100543729 | |
Best For Superior Drought Tolerance | Jonathan Green 10323 | |
Best For Lighter Green Turf | Pennington 100543701 | |
Best For Acidic Sandy Soil | Gulf Kist Seed Centipede Grass Seed | |
Fast Growing | Eretz Creeping Red Fine Fescue Seed | |
Best For Extreme Conditions: Scotts 18334
- Provide green grass even in extreme conditions
- Easy to spread evenly over the landscape
- Fine-bladed texture
- The seed doesn’t germinate quickly
- A bit pricey
The Scotts 18334 is a versatile mix of Kentucky Bluegrass, Perennial Ryegrass, and Fescue. The two things that impress our tester team the most are:
1) High tolerance to extreme conditions.
This mix is specifically designed to stay green even in dense shade or scorching sun, making it ideal for areas that receive a mix of sun and shade throughout the day.
2) The grass spreads and thickens so quickly.
This makes it an ideal choice for different purposes, whether it's repairing bare spots, reseeding, or creating a new lawn.
Besides, it comes in 40-pound bags and can seed up to 16,000 square feet, which means it is capable of seeding large areas and aggressively spreading.
| Scotts 18334 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 40 Pounds |
Sunlight Exposure | Full Sun |
Unit Count | 640.0 Ounce |
Highlight Features | a versatile mix of Kentucky Bluegrass, Perennial Ryegrass, and Fescue |
The Scotts 18334 is specifically designed to tolerate pretty well in extreme conditions.
Best For Darker Green Lawn: Pennington 100543729
- Provide a darker green lawn - turf-type tall fescue grass seed
- Able to thrive in harsh climates - deep, dense roots
- Affordable price
- It tends to produce a lot of weeds
- The seed takes a while to establish itself
The Pennington 100543729 is an excellent choice for those preferring to create a darker, greener, and denser lawn than Kentucky grasses and other tall fescues.
This seven-pound bag has the best-selling tall fescue grass seed, known to develop a 40% deeper root system than usual for superior resistance to drought and disease.
Besides, the seed mix is easy to spread, and the grass grows quickly. We also appreciate that it requires very little upkeep and is incredibly easy to maintain.
With proper care and maintenance, this seed mix can result in a beautiful, low-maintenance lawn.
| Pennington 100543729 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 7 Pounds |
Sunlight Exposure | Partial Shade |
Unit Count | 112.0 Ounce |
Highlight Features | turf-type tall fescue grass seed deep, dense roots |
Looking to create a darker green lawn? Then you should not miss out the Pennington 100543729. Try it now!
Best For Superior Drought Tolerance: Jonathan Green 10323
- Superior drought tolerance - premium grass seed mix
- Reduce waiting time - Quick germination and spreading
- Expensive
The Jonathan Green 10323 is an ideal choice for anyone looking for a lawn that is able to withstand periods of drought without sacrificing its lush, dark green color.
Its premium grass seed mix is composed of elite Perennial Ryegrass, elite Kentucky Bluegrass, and Black Beauty Tall Fescues, all of which are known for their superior drought tolerance.
This means that the Jonathan Green 10323 will be able to survive periods of drought with minimal damage and minimal need for maintenance.
The mixture of grasses also provides greater species diversity, which means that the lawn will be more resilient in the face of extreme weather events.
| Jonathan Green 10323 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 25 Pounds |
Sunlight Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Shade |
Unit Count | 25 Pound |
Highlight Features | premium grass seed mix of elite Perennial Ryegrass, elite Kentucky Bluegrass, and Black Beauty Tall Fescues |
What makes the Jonathan Green 10323 stand out is its superior drought tolerance with minimal damage and very low maintenance required.
Best For Lighter Green Turf: Pennington 100543701
- Provide a lighter green turf - Kentucky 31 tall fescue grass
- Ability to withstand hot summers and heavy rains - thick blades of grass
- Easy to use and maintain
- The high price point
The Pennington 100543701 includes Kentucky 31 tall fescue grass seeds, which are slightly lighter green than some that are a little coarser.
A notable thing about this seed bag is all of its seeds have a protective coating on them, keeping them moist during germination. The thick blades of grass provide excellent protection from heavy rains and hot summers.
In addition, it is drought-resistant and holds up well under foot traffic, making it a great choice for a lawn with high-traffic needs.
| Pennington 100543701 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 20 lbs. |
Sunlight Exposure | Full Sun |
Unit Count | 320.0 Ounce |
Highlight Features | Kentucky 31 tall fescue grass |
Wish to create a lighter green turf? The Pennington 100543701 is our recommendation for you.
Best For Acidic Sandy Soil: Gulf Kist Seed Centipede Grass Seed
- Perfect for acidic sandy soil - centipede grass seed
- Easy to use in different weather conditions – coated with protection layer
- Low maintenance
- The seeds are slow to germinate
What's so special about this seed bag?
The seed prefers acidic, sandy soils found in the Southeast from the Carolinas to the Gulf Coast of Texas. So if your area has acidic sandy soil with a pH of between 5.0 and 6.0, then this is the perfect pick.
Besides, centipede grass is known for being undemanding in terms of its soil fertility needs, requiring only a minimum of six inches of topsoil to support turf growth.
The coated seeds make them easier to spread and help protect the seed from harsh weather conditions. In fact, they are able to tolerate sun and moderate-shade.
| Gulf Kist Seed Centipede Grass Seed Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight |
|
Sunlight Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Shade |
Unit Count | 1 Pound |
Highlight Features | centipede grass seed coated with protection layer |
The Gulf Kist Seed Centipede Grass Seed is the best choice for acidic sandy soil with a pH of between 5.0 and 6.0.
Fast Growing: Eretz Creeping Red Fine Fescue Seed
- A great choice for landscaping – fast-growing ability
- Excellent performance in shaded areas
- The seed is not ideal for backyards due to its coarse clumping habit
The Eretz Creeping Red Fine Fescue Seed is praised for its fast-growing nature.
It is an improved variety of Festuca rubra rubra, which is known for its aggressive tillering ability, and will quickly fill up your lawn. Compared to most other similarly-priced grass seeds, the growth rate of this seed is much faster.
This variety of grass is also more tolerant of shade and cool temperatures than most other varieties, making it ideal for cooler temperate regions of the North.
Additionally, the deep root network it forms provides strong support for future growth and is highly effective against erosion.
| Eretz Creeping Red Fine Fescue Seed Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 5 Pounds |
Sunlight Exposure | Full Shade, Partial Shade |
Unit Count | 5 Pounds |
Highlight Features | fast-growing ability Excellent performance in shaded areas |
With the Eretz Creeping Red Fine Fescue Seed, you can be sure you are getting an incredibly fast-growing grass seed that will fill your lawn in no time.
How To Choose The Best Grass Seed For New Lawn?
Choosing the best grass seed for new lawn can be a daunting task. To make sure you end up with a lush and healthy lawn, you need to consider several factors before selecting the right grass seed.
Your Climate And Soil Type.
Different grass seeds perform better in different climates and soil types.
If you live in a colder climate, choose a grass seed that is more tolerant of cold temperatures. If you live in a warmer climate, choose a grass seed that is more heat tolerant.
Additionally, select a grass seed that is suitable for the particular soil type in your lawn. Different varieties of grass thrive in different soil conditions; for example, clay soil or sandy soil.
The Amount Of Sun Exposure In Your Lawn.
Different grass seeds require different amounts of sunlight to reach their full potential. For instance, a warm-season grass seed will need more sun than a cool-season grass seed.
You should also consider how much shade is present in your lawn. Depending on the amount of shade and sun exposure, you may need to choose a grass seed variety that is more tolerant to those conditions.
Your Budget When Choosing The Right Grass Seed.
Different grass varieties have different prices, and some may not fit within your budget.
You should also consider whether you want to go with a blend of grass seeds or a single grass type.
Blends are often more expensive, but they can give you a more diverse, thick, and healthy lawn.
Which Brands Make The Best Grass Seed For New Lawn?
Scotts
Scotts has been one of the oldest and most trusted brands in lawn care, since 1868.
It offers a variety of products, from fertilizers and weed control to soil amendments and tools, with many worth-attention innovations.
Speaking of grass seeds, they're renowned for providing high-quality seeds. All the seeds are specially cleaned and processed to remove empty husks, stems, dirt, and other materials found in the field. This ensures a higher germination percentage compared to other brands.
Pennington Seed
Pennington Seed is a premium grass seed provider that has been helping lawns reach their full potential since 1945.
It manufactures and distributes a wide variety of lawn, garden, and turf care products. It has recently relaunched its Smart Seed lawn care products which feature its patent-pending fertilizer-enhanced seed coating system designed to speed seed germination and reduce watering requirements.
Many customers love Pennington Seed products because they provide superior quality and performance. Besides, they are backed by rigorous testing to ensure they perform as advertised.
FAQs
What is the best time to plant new grass seed?
The best time to plant new grass seed will depend on the type of grass you are planting.
For warm-season grasses, the optimal time is late spring or early summer, when temperatures reach 80 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
For cool-season grasses, late summer or early fall when temperatures lower to 60-75°F is the best time to plant.
Should I water before or after grass seed?
You should water the area a few days before planting your new grass seed, and then promptly spend 5-10 minutes watering the top two inches of soil after you've spread the seed.
How often should grass seed be watered?
Grass seed should be watered at least twice a day - once in the early morning and once in the early evening - or until the soil is moist to a depth of at least 6 inches.
Depending on the climate in your area and the soil drainage, you may need to water in different intervals.
Can I just sprinkle grass seed on lawn?
While it is possible to sprinkle grass seed on a lawn, it is not recommended.
To ensure the best results and promote healthy and vibrant grass growth, it is recommended that you lightly till the soil and rake it. This helps create a smooth surface for the grass seed to germinate and grow.
Does 1 grass seed equal one blade of grass?
No, one grass seed does not necessarily equal one blade of grass. It is possible that a single grass seed will produce multiple blades of grass, depending on the environmental conditions and other factors. The number can range from just a few to several dozen, depending on many factors.
Conclusion
All-in-all, when choosing the best grass seed for new lawn, it is important to take into consideration several factors such as climate, soil type, and intended use.
With the wide variety of grass available on the market today, it can be overwhelming to decide which one is right for you. Fortunately, we have provided plenty of tips and advice—along with our recommendations—in this article. Hopefully, they helped make your decision easier.
Thanks for reading!
Harry RamosI’m Harry Ramos, who's crazy about all things green. I’m here to share some experience in my gardening adventure and how to choose the best products for your garden. Let's dig in, get our hands dirty, and celebrate the simple, earthy pleasures of the garden together!
