How to Select the Best Grass Seed for Southern Lawns

Purchase quality seeds that have purity rate of above 90 percent and a germination rate above 85 percent. The purity rate and the germination rate are printed on the tag attached to the container of seed. Anything lower will result in poor performance in establishing a solid southern lawn of grass.

Pick seeds that grow in the time of year you’re going to plant. If you have a new lawn and want to stay out of the mud all winter, try planting ryegrass. It’s a cool weather grass that grows as long as the weather is cool. Ryegrass grows in all parts of the south but dies when warm weather arrives. Tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass are also cool season grasses that live in the northern part or the mountains of the south. Cool weather seed are planted in the fall.

Buy warm weather seeds for the coastal part of the south. Bermuda, carpet grass and centipede are warm weather grasses that can be started from seed. Growing zoysia and St Augustine grasses from seed is not recommended because of the low rate of germination. Warm season grasses should be planted in the spring or summer.

Visit a local nursery or seed store to purchase your seeds because they usually have the freshest and they know what kind of seed grows best in the southern climate.