Grass Seed Buying Guide

Date: 12-06-2018

Lawn Seed Blends and Varieties

Whether you’re buying grass seed to create a brand new lawn or thickening up an existing lawn we can offer some tips that should point you in the right direction.

Think first about your lawn project:

Are you planting an entire lawn from scratch? Or do you just need to fill in patches or rejunvenate your existing lawn?
Do you have time to care for your lawn or are you looking for a ‘minimum upkeep lawn’?
How much wear and tear will your lawn have – do you have pets or kids that will be hard on it?
How much sun will your lawn get? Will it be in full sun, partial sun or shade?

Work out how much seed to buy:

If you are creating a new lawn you’ll need to work out the size to be sown so you know how much seed to buy. Different lawn seeds have different sowing rates. Check your chosen seed rate carefully. If you’re overseeding you’ll need roughly half the amount of a full lawn. Filling in patches, reduce the amount again. To calculate your area read our handy guide here.

Choose a grass suited to your lifestyle:

Some grasses require more watering and care than others at certain times of the year. Most Cool season grasses will require consistent watering through hot summer months to avoid browning or dying off. Conversely many warm season grasses are lower maintenance but have a thicker leaf and look less fine. It's important to give consideration to how you want your chosen grass to feel and look.

Think about wear and tear:

While you might love the look of a cottage garden if you’ve got kids or animals it’s not going to stand up to being trampled day in day out! You’d be better off looking for a hardier grass type. Make sure you consider that your lawn needs to absorb the impact of whatever visits it.

How much Sun?

Look at the area you’re sowing. Is it in full sun? Consider the amount of sunshine falling onto the area. If there is partial shade look for a variety or blend that suits limited sunlight. Many warm season grasses like kikuyu and couch need sun to thrive while cool season fescues will handle shady conditions. Read about our Sun and Shade Blend here.

Final Tips…

Quality seed:

When you choose the variety or blend you’d like ensure that you purchase quality seed. Poor quality seed will grow a poor quality lawn. Discount offers or chain stores usually sell a lower quality seed than other certified sellers. Once you have selected a grass seed that will grow in your area, a source of high quality seed should be found.

Choose a grass seed that will grow where you live:

No matter how top notch the seed you’ve chosen, it won’t germinate and establish if it’s not suited to your area. Take into consideration the season and read the tips and pointers on the product information. Warm season grasses like kikuyu and couch won’t germinate in cold soils in winter temperatures. Wait until the spring or early autumn to sow these. Cool Season grasses will struggle to establish or thrive over a long hot summer without cooler soils and a lot of water.