Question 1

How much grass seed do I need per square foot?

Accepted Answer

For a new lawn, you typically need 4-5 lb of seed per 1000 sq ft for Kentucky bluegrass, 8-10 lb for perennial ryegrass, 5-6 lb for tall fescue, and 1-2 lb for Bermuda. For overseeding, use about half the new-lawn rate. This tool does the math for your exact area.

Question 2

Should I overseed or seed a new lawn?

Accepted Answer

Overseed an existing thin lawn to thicken it — use 50% of the new-lawn seeding rate. Start a new lawn from scratch if the soil is bare or the existing grass is mostly dead — use the full seeding rate and prepare the soil first.

Question 3

When is the best time to plant grass seed?

Accepted Answer

Cool-season grasses (Kentucky bluegrass, fescue, ryegrass) are best seeded in early fall (6-8 weeks before first frost) or early spring. Warm-season grasses (Bermuda, Zoysia) are best seeded in late spring to early summer when soil is warm.

Question 4

How long does grass seed take to germinate?

Accepted Answer

Perennial ryegrass germinates in 5-10 days, tall fescue in 7-12 days, Kentucky bluegrass in 14-30 days, and Bermuda grass in 7-21 days. Keep the soil consistently moist during germination — drying out even once can kill the seeds.