Seeding Rates for Grass Seed

Significance

• If gardeners plant too little grass seed in a given area, the grass will not compete as well against weeds and will take a longer time before it establishes itself and makes a lawn or field. North Dakota State University Extension warns that thinly sown grass will also produce a smaller harvest for farmers growing grass as animal forage. On the other hand, using too much seed wastes seed and causes some seedlings to die.

Types

• Of the cool-season grasses fescues require the most seed in a given area of common lawn grass types, while Kentucky bluegrass requires the least; rye grasses and orchard grasses require a moderate amount. Of common warm-season grasses, switchgrass requires more seed than Indian grass or big bluestem.

Amounts

• Tall fescue requires 6 to 9 lbs. of grass seed per 1,000 square feet, and Kentucky bluegrass requires 1 to 3 lbs. per 1,000 square feet. Ryegrass usually comes in mixtures with Kentucky bluegrass or a fescue, and raises or lowers the amount of seed needed, respectively. Switchgrass requires 5 to 6 lbs. per acre, and Indian grass and big bluestem require 10 to 12 lbs. per acre.