Which is the Best Grass Seed?

Knowing these things about your lawn will help you choose:

There are dozens of varieties of grass, but selecting the best grass seed for your lawn can be a challenge. Many homeowners feel overwhelmed by options when looking to plant grass in their yard, and selecting the wrong variety could lead to an unsuccessful lawn. By asking yourself a few simple questions about your yard, you can easily determine the best grass seed for you.

The primary use of your lawn, amount of foot-traffic, climate conditions and personal preference are all very important deciding factors in picking the best grass seed for your yard. Don’t rush into this decision, and consider all of the following before making your purchase:

What do you use your lawn for?

When it comes to activity, there are two types of lawns: Low traffic and high traffic. If you have pets or children that play in your yard frequently, your lawn is certainly a high traffic area – but there other conditions that can lead to a high traffic yard as well. If there are no sidewalks on your street, pedestrians may be walking through your lawn when cars are passing by. That’s not all, neighborhood pets or wildlife may pass through your yard more than you realize.

If you yard contains walkways and the grass is rarely walked on, the chances are that your lawn is a low traffic area. Take some time to closely monitor the amount of traffic in your lawn before you select a grass seed. By doing this preliminary research you can ensure that the type of grass that you select will be healthy and successful in your lawn.

Best grass seed for low-traffic lawns: Kentucky Bluegrass

Best grass seed for high traffic lawns: Turf-type Tall Fescue

What is the climate in your area?

The United States is a large country, and the climate conditions vary greatly from state to state. The grasses that are most common in states on the East Coast aren’t likely to thrive in warmer areas, such as the South or West Coast. Temperature is not the only factor that needs to be considered: Rainfall patterns, average first frost dates, soil type, local pest presence and common lawn diseases in your area are all very important in making your decision.

Best grass seed for eastern states: Zoysia

Best grass seed for western states: Kentucky Bluegrass

Best grass seed for the Midwest: Tall Fescue

Best grass seed for the South: St. Augustine

What are your personal grass preferences?

Each type of grass has it’s own personality and traits, and these are important factors when making your decision. Some varieties are softer and more comfortable to walk on, while others have a naturally brittle texture that is great for preventing pests and weeds, but not very pleasant to your feet. Plus, the amount of times that you’ll have to cut, water, fertilize and reseed your lawn throughout the year are highly dependant on the type of grass seed that you select. Make a list of your personal preferences and consult this before making your final decision.

For homeowners who do not have a lot of time to devote to their lawn, a low-maintenance variety should be selected. If you enjoy lawn work and have the extra time to devote to it, you may want to consider selecting a higher-maintenance type of grass seed. These varieties of grass require more work, but the payoff is worth it if you have the extra time.

Best grass seed for low-maintenance lawns: Fine Fescue

Best grass seed for higher-maintenance lawns: Kentucky Bluegrass