The Amount of Grass Seed Needed Per Square Meter

Economy Blends

• Economy blends are suitable for average lawn conditions where too much sun or shade, or too little rain are not issues impeding growth. These lower priced blends typically contain perennial ryegrass, ryegrass and fine fescue. The recommended sowing rate for this type of grass seed is approximately 30 g per square meter (or a bit over 1 oz. per square yard). New lawns may require a little more and established lawns a little less. Keep in mind that new plantings are more susceptible to seed loss from scavenging birds.

Sunny Areas

• Lawns that are exposed to many hours of sunlight and less than optimum rainfall may require a seed blend designed for these conditions. Mixes containing tall fescue and dryland ryegrass are drought tolerant and require less water than many other mixes. Where weeds are a problem, the tall fescue puts out a high percentage of rhizomes to compete with weed roots. For these sun and drought tolerant seed mixes, sow at a rate of 45 g (about 1 1/2 oz.) per square meter for optimal results.

Shady Conditions

• Fine leaf ryegrass, fine fescue and bentgrass blends do well in areas that are highly shaded by trees, shrubs or man-made structures. These seeds produce a fine-textured lawn with minimal blade surface, thereby eliminating the need for great amounts of sunlight. Shade mixes require fewer individual seeds per square meter, especially in areas of lawn that are well established and only require a bit of patching or overseeding. Coverage of 30 g per square meter should suffice.

Application Considerations

• A good way to ensure that you are achieving adequate seed coverage is by creating a seeding measurement device that is 1 square meter in area. Tie or tape together four meter sticks or pieces of bamboo to make a frame to place upon the lawn. Sowing seed 1 square meter at a time with the recommended amount of seed and spreading the seed left to right and then top to bottom within the frame ensures accuracy.