Grass Seed Secrets: What You Need to Know

Ever tried to keep a plant alive and found it as tough as nailing jelly to a wall? Well, grass seed can be the same. Some types just won’t make it through the year, no matter what you try. But don’t fret! Let’s dive into what to look for when you’re on the prowl for grass seed.

Walking into a garden center, you might feel like a kid in a candy store—so many choices, so little time. But don’t let the array of brands and mixes overwhelm you. The secret? It’s all in reading the seed tag.

Decoding the Seed Tag

Every seed bag has to spill the beans about what’s inside. The tag reveals crucial info like testing dates, germination rates, and seed purity. You want seeds with high germination and purity rates and low percentages of everything else. Remember, old seeds are like old socks—they lose their oomph over time.

Coated Seeds: The Good, the Bad, and the Funky

Most seeds come with a coating that makes them look like they’re ready for a night out. These coatings can contain helpful stuff like fertilizers and water holders. But heads up—some coatings might have fungicide, so suit up with gloves and long sleeves when handling them. Your seed bag will spill the deets if there’s anything harsh in the mix.

You’ve probably seen mix names like Sun and Shade or Heavy Shade Mix. But what really matters is what’s inside. Economy mixes often feature ryegrasses that grow fast but can struggle in tough conditions. Think of perennial ryegrass as the hare in the grass race: quick to germinate but not always the best under stress.

The Annual Ryegrass Dilemma

Annual ryegrass is like that flashy friend—looks great for a while but doesn’t stick around. It’s light green, wide-bladed, and grows like it’s on a mission. But come summer, it fizzles out. Ideal for quick coverage, but not your best bet for a killer lawn.

Spotting the Right Mix

Let’s take a look at your typical discount seed bag. It normally looks like this: 24.11% Italian ryegrass, aka annual ryegrass. With 20.98% Kentucky bluegrass, 15.14% fine fescues, and a dash of perennial ryegrass, plus some coating and inert stuff. Just over a third of this bag isn’t even seed.

Here’s the kicker: nearly 40% of your lawn could be gone by summer if you plant this mix. No bueno, right? Aim for mixes with more Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue and skip the annual ryegrass. Your lawn will thank you.

Size Matters

Check how much area the seed bag covers. A 3 lb bag of small-seeded grasses like Kentucky bluegrass covers more ground than a similar bag of larger-seeded grasses like perennial ryegrass. Sure, cheap seed might save you a buck or two but choosing the wrong mix could cost you more in the long run.