The Best Lawn Seed for the Northeast

Kentucky Bluegrass

• Kentucky bluegrass is often found on lawns in the Northeastern states. It is known for its dark green color and lush texture. According to the Landscape America website, Kentucky bluegrass is the most common cool season grass. Often used in blends with other grasses, it is good for filling in bare spots. It survives harsh winter weather in the Northeast by going dormant. It is not recommended for areas with high temperatures or arid conditions. Kentucky bluegrass requires lots of water. It will survive in partially shaded areas, but does much better when it receives plenty of sun. It can be established from both seed and sod.

Tall Fescue

• Tall fescue is a cool-season grass that can withstand the often harsh winter conditions in the Northeast. It is good for properties with trees, as it grows in both sunny and partially shaded areas. It also tolerates the summer heat and maintains a green color during all but the most severe of winter conditions. Its medium to dark green color makes for an attractive lawn. Because it has deep roots capable of drawing water from beneath the ground, it can tolerate periods of drought. It generally does not require a lot of maintenance, including mowing. It is also one of the faster cold-weather grasses to germinate and is easily established from seed. One more plus is its durability and ability to withstand lots of foot traffic.

Rye Grasses

• Rye grasses, which come in both annual and perennial varieties, are often found on lawns in the Northeast. Annual rye grasses last for only one year, while perennial rye grasses have expanded lifetimes. Rye grasses are fast growers and germinate in less than two weeks under normal conditions. They are adaptable and can grow in both shaded areas and under a full sun. Although they are of the cold-season variety, rye grasses are used in warmer climates to green up the grass during the winter when the existing grass is dormant. Rye grass's fine-textured leaves and eye-catching green color provide for an attractive lawn. Rye grasses are also durable. Because they establish quickly, they are good for hilly areas in the Northeast.

Bent Grass

• Bent grass is grown around the Northeast on athletic fields, lawns and golf courses. The Seedland website describes bent grass as the luxury grass of the cool-season varieties because of its deep green color, fine texture, thick density, and low growing habits. Bent grass can be identified by its bluish-green leaves that are long and slender. Bent grass thrives in areas with cooler temperatures and at least average moisture. It is not tolerant of drought because of its shallow roots. As a result, it often requires frequent watering during the dry summer months. Bent grass is established from both seed and sod.

Zoysia

• Zoysia is one of the most cold hardy of all the warm-weather grasses. This allows it to grow in the southern areas of the Northeast such as Maryland, New Jersey and parts of Pennsylania. Zoysia survives in colder areas by going dormant as soon as the temperatures go down. It turns to a straw brown color when it's dormant, before quickly regaining its green color in the spring. It thrives in areas with full sun and high temperatures. Zoysia is aggressive and overtakes other grasses in the area. It chokes off weeds and is durable. Because it grows slowly, it does not require constant mowing.