Best Lawn Seed

Annabelle Evans

By Annabelle Evans

| Updated 3 Days Ago

  • A lush, green lawn can enhance the look of any home, and achieving that often begins with selecting the right grass seed. Different types of lawn seed are designed for specific climates, soil conditions, and sunlight levels. Some varieties thrive in full sun, while others are better suited for shade or heavy foot traffic. Drought tolerance and maintenance needs are also key factors to consider. When choosing lawn seed, it’s essential to examine the seed mix, germination rate, and weed seed content. A well-balanced mix ensures compatibility, while a high germination rate increases the likelihood of successful growth. We tested several top-rated lawn seeds to find the best options for growing a thick, healthy lawn with minimal hassle.

  • Scotts Rapid Grass Mix

    10

    We think Scotts Rapid Grass Mix is a solid choice for quick lawn repair and new grass growth in both sunny and shady areas.

    10

    We think Scotts Rapid Grass Mix is a solid choice for quick lawn repair and new grass growth in both sunny and shady areas.

    Pros

    • Grows grass faster than seed alone
    • Works in sun and shade
    • Includes fertilizer for extended feeding

    Cons

    • May grow unevenly with existing grass
    • Requires frequent watering
    • Not available in all states

    We tested Scotts Rapid Grass Mix on a patchy area of our lawn this fall. The seed and fertilizer combo sprouted noticeably in about 12 days. By week 3, we had to mow the new grass. It filled in bare spots quickly.

    The mix worked well in both sunny and shaded parts of our yard. We liked that it includes fertilizer, saving an extra step. The new grass came in thick and green. It blended nicely with our existing lawn after a few mowings.

    We found it needs lots of water to get started. We had to water daily for the first couple weeks. The rapid growth was great for fixing bare spots fast. But it did grow a bit faster than our old grass at first. This evened out after about a month. For quick results in most conditions, this seed mix delivers.

  • Pennington Kentucky 31 Fescue

    9.7

    We think this grass seed is a solid choice for homeowners seeking a tough, low-maintenance lawn.

    9.7

    We think this grass seed is a solid choice for homeowners seeking a tough, low-maintenance lawn.

    Pros

    • Thrives in sun and partial shade
    • Stands up well to heat and foot traffic
    • Economical option for large areas

    Cons

    • Takes up to 3 weeks to germinate
    • Lighter green color may not appeal to all
    • Requires regular watering to establish

    We recently tried out Pennington’s Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue grass seed in our test yard. This classic variety has been around for decades, and we can see why it’s still popular. The thick blades grew in nicely and created a sturdy turf that held up well to our backyard games.

    One thing we liked was how versatile this seed is. It did well in both the sunny spots and areas that only got a few hours of direct light each day. We noticed it stayed green even during a hot spell, which is a big plus if you live somewhere with warm summers.

    On the flip side, it did take a while to get going. We had to wait almost three weeks before we saw much sprouting. The grass also came in a lighter shade of green than some other types we’ve tried. But for the price and how tough it is, we think it’s a good pick for many yards.

  • Scotts Thick’R Lawn Mix

    9.5

    We think this 3-in-1 lawn solution is a solid choice for homeowners looking to quickly fill in patchy areas and boost overall lawn health.

    9.5

    We think this 3-in-1 lawn solution is a solid choice for homeowners looking to quickly fill in patchy areas and boost overall lawn health.

    Pros

    • All-in-one seed, fertilizer, and soil improver
    • Works in both sunny and shady areas
    • Can show results in as little as 9 days

    Cons

    • Requires consistent watering for best results
    • May not work well on all soil types
    • Some users report mixed success rates

    We tried Scotts Thick’R Lawn Mix on a patchy section of our yard, and we were pretty impressed with the results. The mix was easy to spread using a standard lawn spreader. We made sure to water the area twice daily as directed.

    After about a week and a half, we started to see new grass poking through. The new growth looked lush and green, blending well with our existing lawn. We liked that this product works in both sunny and shady spots, making it handy for different areas of the yard.

    One thing to note is that consistent watering is key. When we slacked off on watering, the results weren’t as good. Also, while many areas filled in nicely, a few stubborn spots didn’t take as well. Your mileage may vary based on your soil type and lawn care routine. Still, for an easy-to-use product that can give quick results, we think Scotts Thick’R Lawn Mix is worth a try.

  • Pennington Contractor’s Mix

    9.4

    We recommend this seed mix for Northern lawns needing quick, professional results.

    9.4

    We recommend this seed mix for Northern lawns needing quick, professional results.

    Pros

    • Fast germination
    • Covers large areas
    • Sun-tolerant blend

    Cons

    • Needs frequent watering
    • May require overseeding
    • Pricier than some options

    We tried Pennington’s Contractor’s Mix in our test lawn, and we were impressed by how quickly it sprouted. In just a week, we saw little green shoots popping up all over. The mix is made for Northern climates, which matched our testing area perfectly.

    This seed blend works well in sunny spots. We planted it in an area that gets about 5 hours of sun each day, and it thrived. The grass grew thick and lush, giving our lawn a pro-level look. We liked that one bag covered a big area – great for large projects or full lawn overhauls.

    We found that the seed needed lots of water to get started. We had to water twice a day for the first couple of weeks. Some spots needed extra seeding to fill in completely. While it’s not the cheapest option, we think the results are worth it for those wanting a top-notch lawn fast.

  • Scotts EZ Seed Patch & Repair

    9.3

    We think Scotts EZ Seed Patch & Repair is a solid choice for fixing bare spots in your lawn, thanks to its all-in-one formula and ease of use.

    9.3

    We think Scotts EZ Seed Patch & Repair is a solid choice for fixing bare spots in your lawn, thanks to its all-in-one formula and ease of use.

    Pros

    • Works in sun and shade
    • Contains seed, mulch, and fertilizer
    • Easy to apply

    Cons

    • Requires consistent watering
    • May not work well in all soil types
    • Takes time to see results

    We tried Scotts EZ Seed Patch & Repair on some bare spots in our lawn, and we were happy with how simple it was to use. The shaker container made it easy to spread the seed mixture evenly. We liked that it includes mulch and fertilizer, so we didn’t need to buy those separately.

    After applying the seed, we made sure to water it twice a day for the first few days. This step is key – if you let it dry out, the seeds won’t sprout. We saw little grass blades poking through after about a week, which was exciting.

    One thing to keep in mind is that this product works best in spring or fall when temperatures are mild. We also found it worked better in some areas of our yard than others, so your results may vary depending on your soil type. Overall, we think it’s a good option for small patches, but for larger areas, you might want to consider traditional seeding methods.

  • Pennington Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue

    9.1

    We recommend this grass seed for its tough, low-maintenance qualities and ability to thrive in various conditions.

    9.1

    We recommend this grass seed for its tough, low-maintenance qualities and ability to thrive in various conditions.

    Pros

    • Grows well in sun and partial shade
    • Drought and heat resistant
    • Tolerates heavy foot traffic

    Cons

    • Takes up to 3 weeks to sprout
    • Not ideal for shady areas
    • Coarser texture than some grass types

    We tested Pennington Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue in different yard conditions. This grass seed proved to be a hardy choice for lawns that get a mix of sun and shade. It started to sprout in about 8 days, which was nice to see.

    The grass that grew was thick and sturdy. We walked on it a lot, and it bounced back well. During a dry spell, we cut back on watering, and the grass stayed green. This made us think it would be good for busy families or people who don’t want to water all the time.

    We noticed the grass had a bit of a coarse feel compared to some other types. But it looked nice and even once it filled in. For the price, we think this seed offers good value, especially for large areas or spots that need tough grass.

  • Scotts Rapid Grass Mix

    9

    We think Scotts Rapid Grass Mix is a solid choice for quickly establishing a lush lawn, but it may not be perfect for everyone.

    9

    We think Scotts Rapid Grass Mix is a solid choice for quickly establishing a lush lawn, but it may not be perfect for everyone.

    Pros

    • Fast growth in just weeks
    • Combines seed and fertilizer
    • Works for new lawns and overseeding

    Cons

    • Uneven results in some areas
    • May include some weed seeds
    • Needs frequent watering

    We tried Scotts Rapid Grass Mix on a bare patch in our yard, and we were pretty impressed with how quickly it sprouted. In about two weeks, we saw little green shoots popping up all over. It was cool to watch the transformation happen so fast.

    The mix of seed and fertilizer is handy. We didn’t have to buy or apply them separately. We just spread it with a Scotts spreader and raked it in. Easy peasy. We made sure to water twice a day as the instructions said. It does need a lot of water to get going.

    After a month, most of the area was filled in nicely. But we did notice some spots that didn’t grow as well. A few weeds popped up too. It wasn’t perfect, but it was way better than the dirt patch we started with. For a quick lawn fix, it did the job pretty well.

  • Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue

    8.7

    We think Pennington’s Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue is a solid choice for homeowners looking for a tough, low-maintenance lawn.

    8.7

    We think Pennington’s Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue is a solid choice for homeowners looking for a tough, low-maintenance lawn.

    Pros

    • Drought-resistant and durable
    • Grows in sun and partial shade
    • Covers large areas affordably

    Cons

    • Takes up to 3 weeks to see results
    • Lighter green color than some grasses
    • May require more water at first

    We recently tried out this grass seed in our test yard. The 40-pound bag went a long way, covering about 8,000 square feet when we overseeded. For new lawns, it covered less but still a good amount.

    The grass came up pretty quick. We saw the first sprouts in about 8 days. It filled in nicely over the next couple weeks. The grass felt tough underfoot, which is great for areas that get a lot of use.

    We like how this seed handles different conditions. It grew well in both sunny spots and areas that only got a few hours of sun. During a dry spell, the grass stayed green with minimal watering. This makes it a good pick for folks who don’t want to spend all summer with a hose in hand.

    The color is a bit lighter than some fancy grass types. But we think the trade-off is worth it for how easy this lawn is to care for. If you want a no-fuss grass that can take a beating, Kentucky 31 is worth a look.

  • Pennington Smart Seed Dense Shade Mix

    8.7

    We think this grass seed is a top choice for shady lawns, offering quick results and water-saving benefits.

    8.7

    We think this grass seed is a top choice for shady lawns, offering quick results and water-saving benefits.

    Pros

    • Thrives in low-light conditions
    • Fast germination in 8-16 days
    • Uses 30% less water than regular seed

    Cons

    • Needs some sunlight (2-6 hours daily)
    • May require extra watering in very shady spots
    • More expensive than basic grass seed

    We tested this Pennington mix in a yard with lots of shade. The seed sprouted quickly, and we saw new grass in about 10 days. It filled in patchy areas under trees where other seeds had failed.

    The mix of tall and fine fescue grasses held up well to foot traffic. We noticed it stayed green even when we cut back on watering. This is great for saving on water bills and being eco-friendly.

    One thing to keep in mind is that this seed still needs some sun. We found it worked best in areas that got a few hours of light each day. In very dark spots, we had to water more often to help it grow. While it costs more than basic seed, we think it’s worth it for tricky shady areas.

  • Jonathan Green Fast Grow Seed

    8.6

    We think this grass seed is a solid choice for quickly filling bare spots or starting a new lawn, but it may not be the best long-term solution.

    8.6

    We think this grass seed is a solid choice for quickly filling bare spots or starting a new lawn, but it may not be the best long-term solution.

    Pros

    • Grows very quickly
    • Works in sun and shade
    • Produces a dark green color

    Cons

    • May not last beyond one season
    • Needs frequent watering
    • Can be pricey for large areas

    We tried out Jonathan Green’s Fast Grow Grass Seed in some bare patches of our lawn. The results were pretty impressive. In just a week, we saw little green sprouts popping up. By two weeks, the areas were filling in nicely.

    The seed mix includes annual ryegrass and fescues. This combo helps it grow in both sunny and shady spots. We liked how it gave our lawn a rich, dark green look. It really helped blend the patchy areas with the rest of the grass.

    One downside is that this is meant as a quick fix. The grass may not come back after winter. For a lasting lawn, you’ll need to overseed with a perennial mix later. Also, we had to water it often to keep it growing well. If you have a big area to cover, the cost can add up fast. But for smaller trouble spots, we found it did the job nicely.

Buying Guide

When shopping for lawn seed, we recommend considering a few key factors:

Climate and Sun Exposure

Choose seed mixes suited to your local climate and the amount of sun your lawn gets. Some grasses thrive in full sun, while others do better in shade.

Soil Type

Test your soil pH and texture. Pick seeds that match your soil conditions for the best growth.

Grass Types

Common options include:

  • Kentucky bluegrass
  • Fescue
  • Ryegrass
  • Bermuda grass

Mix different types for a hardy, attractive lawn.

Seed Quality

Look for:

  • High germination rate (over 85%)
  • Low weed seed content (under 0.5%)
  • No noxious weeds

Package Size

Buy enough to cover your lawn area. Most packages list the square footage they cover.

Planting Season

Cool-season grasses grow best when planted in fall or early spring. Warm-season grasses do better in late spring or early summer.

We suggest checking the seed label for:

  • Pure seed percentage
  • Germination rate
  • Crop seed percentage
  • Inert matter percentage
  • Weed seed percentage
  • Noxious weed seeds

By keeping these factors in mind, we can pick the best lawn seed for a lush, healthy yard.