Does your once-perfect lawn now look like a patchwork quilt with annoying brown spots? You aren’t alone! Those bare patches, caused by pets, heavy foot traffic, or just bad weather, can really ruin your yard’s good looks. Trying to fix these areas can feel like a guessing game. Should you pick the cheapest bag, or is there a secret blend you need?
Choosing the wrong grass seed for patching is a common headache. You might use a seed that never sprouts, or one that grows but looks completely different from your existing lawn. This leaves you with a mismatched, patchy mess all over again. It’s frustrating when you put in the effort but don’t see the green results you hoped for!
This guide cuts through the confusion. We will show you exactly how to select the best grass seed to blend seamlessly with your current lawn. You will learn the key things to look for on the seed bag so you can patch those problem areas successfully. Get ready to say goodbye to those eyesore spots and hello to a uniform, beautiful green carpet. Let’s dive into making your lawn whole again!
Top Grass Seed For Patching Lawns Recommendations
- Scotts EZ Seed Patch & Repair Sun and Shade is a revolutionary grass seeding product designed to fill in bare spots and repair lawn damage
- EZ Seed Patch & Repair contains a combination of high performance grass seed, mulch that expands to surround the seed, controlled release fertilizer, tackifier to help keep seed from washing away and a protectant to help keep seedlings safe
- Scotts EZ Seed Sun and Shade grass seed grows in tough conditions such as full sun, dense shade, high traffic areas and on slopes
- Plant seed in the spring or fall when daily average soil temperatures are consistently between 55°F and 70°F, or air temperatures between 60°F and 80°F
- EZ Seed Patch & Repair Sun and Shade contains a combination of mulch, grass seed, and fertilizer to cover up to 85 sq. ft. in 3 easy steps
- Fill bare spots and thin areas of your lawn
- Establishes quickly
- Only 3 easy steps to see results
- Grows anywhere in the USA
- Pennington Bare Spot Repair grass seed is guaranteed to grow
- Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue is the original turf for your home
- Provides a durable, economical lawn
- Thick blades of grass stand up to hot summers and heavy rains
- For use in full sun to medium-shaded areas
- Produces a lighter green, drought-resistant turf
- Scotts PatchMaster Lawn Repair Mix Sun + Shade Mix combines grass seed, mulch, and fertilizer to provide all-in-one bare spot repair for your yard
- Ready-to-grow lawn repair mix starts to grow in as few as 7 days, feeds up to 6 weeks, and absorbs 3x its weight in water
- This lawn care product contains a mixture of premium Perennial Ryegrasses, Fine Fescues, and Kentucky Bluegrass to adapt to sunny or shady conditions, 100% recycled mulch to help keep seeds moist and in place, and fertilizer for fast growth and thick results
- Apply this grass seed mix in the fall or spring when daytime temperatures are between 60°F and 80°F
- One 4.75 lb. bag of Scotts PatchMaster Lawn Repair Mix Sun + Shade Mix covers up to 140 sq. ft.
- Patch and Repair: Scotts EZ Seed Patch & Repair Sun and Shade is a revolutionary grass seeding product designed to fill in bare spots and repair lawn damage
- Sun and Shade Grass: Contains a combination of high performance grass seed, mulch that expands to surround the seed, controlled release fertilizer, tackifier to help keep seed from washing away and a protectant to help keep seedlings safe
- Usage: This sun and shade grass seed mix is guaranteed to grow anywhere with proper care including in full sun, dense shade, high traffic areas and on slopes
- Application: Grass seed germinates best when daytime temperatures are between 60°F and 80°F with no danger of frost
- Coverage: One 10 lb. bag of EZ Seed Patch & Repair covers up to 225 sq. ft. in 3 easy steps by preparing the area, evenly applying the seed and watering until no more water is being absorbed
- The redesigned Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Bermudagrass is drought-tolerant to stand up to scorching heat and features Root-Building Nutrition for a stronger lawn
- This grass seed blend is designed for full sun, and has high drought resistance with high durability
- Use this lawn care product in the late spring or early summer to seed a new lawn or overseed an existing lawn
- Our Root-Building Nutrition formula combines seed, fertilizer, and soil improver to help establish deep roots, allowing you to build a strong, green lawn
- One 1 lb. bag of Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Bermudagrass has a new lawn coverage of 330 sq. ft. and an overseeding coverage of 1,000 sq. ft.
- Grow Thick, Green Turf: Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Sun & Shade Mix features Root-Building Nutrition crafted to help establish deep roots to build a better, stronger lawn
- Sun and Shade Grass: this combination grass seed, fertilizer, and soil improver thrives in a variety of conditions
- Usage: This grass seed mix is designed for full sun and dense shade, and has medium drought resistance with medium to high durability
- Application: Use to seed a new lawn or overseed an existing lawn in the spring or fall when temperatures are between 60°F and 80°F
- Coverage: One 5.6 lb. bag of Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Sun & Shade Mix has a new lawn coverage of 745 sq. ft. and an overseeding coverage of 2,240 sq. ft
- The redesigned Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Tall Fescue Mix is durable to resist harsh conditions and features Root-Building Nutrition for a stronger lawn
- This grass seed blend is designed for full sun and partial shade, and has medium to high drought resistance with high durability
- Use this lawn care product in the spring or fall to seed a new lawn or overseed an existing lawn
- Our Root-Building Nutrition formula combines seed, fertilizer, and soil improver to help establish deep roots, allowing you to build a strong, green lawn
- One 5.6 lb. bag of Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Tall Fescue Mix has a new lawn coverage of 465 sq. ft. and an overseeding coverage of 1,400 sq. ft.
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Patching Your Lawn Like a Pro
Does your lawn have those annoying brown spots? Don’t worry! Patching bare spots is easy when you choose the right grass seed. This guide helps you pick the best mix to make your lawn thick and green again.
Key Features to Look For
When buying grass seed for patching, look closely at the bag. A good patch mix has several important features:
- Fast Germination Rate: You want seeds that sprout quickly. Fast germination means you see results sooner and weeds have less time to take over the bare spots.
- Variety Matching: Check what type of grass your current lawn has. If you have Kentucky Bluegrass, buy a seed blend that includes it. Mixing different grass types can make the patch look uneven.
- Disease Resistance: Good seeds resist common lawn diseases. This keeps your new patch healthy through hot summers or wet springs.
- Drought Tolerance: If you live where it gets dry, choose seeds known to handle less water. This saves you time watering later.
Important Materials in the Seed Mix
The bag will list what’s inside. The main ingredients are the grass varieties, but watch out for these:
- Grass Seed Varieties: Common patching seeds include perennial ryegrass (fast starting), fine fescue (good in shade), and Kentucky bluegrass (creates dense turf). A good mix uses a few of these.
- Inert Ingredients (Fillers): These are harmless materials like husks or sand. However, too much filler means you get less actual seed for your money. Check the percentage of “other crop seed” or “inert matter.” Lower is better.
- Coating: Some seeds are coated with nutrients or fungicides. This coating helps protect the seed while it waits to sprout.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Not all bags are created equal. A few things significantly affect how well your patch grows:
What Improves Quality?
- High Purity Percentage: This number shows how much of the bag is actually viable grass seed. Aim for 85% purity or higher.
- Recent Test Date: Seed quality drops over time. Make sure the “Tested Date” on the bag is recent (within the last year).
What Reduces Quality?
- Weed Seeds: If the bag contains weed seeds, you are paying to plant problems! High-quality seed mixes have very low (or zero) weed content.
- Old Seed: Seeds that are several years old might not sprout at all, wasting your effort and money.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about where you need to patch the lawn. This changes what seed you should buy.
Common Use Cases
- High-Traffic Areas (Play Areas): These spots need tough grass. Look for blends with strong turf-type tall fescue or perennial ryegrass. These grow back quickly after being stepped on.
- Shady Spots: If the bare patch is under a big tree, standard grass will struggle. Choose a mix specifically labeled for “Shade Tolerance” that includes fine fescues.
- Quick Fixes (Before Guests Arrive): If you need results fast, prioritize seeds with very fast germination, like perennial ryegrass.
Most users find the best experience when they prepare the soil well. Scrape away dead grass, loosen the top layer of soil, sprinkle the seed generously on the bare spot, and keep the area moist until the new grass is established. Good preparation helps even the best seed work perfectly.
10 FAQs About Grass Seed For Patching Lawns
Q: What is the best time of year to patch my lawn?
A: Fall is usually the best time. The soil is warm, and the air is cool, which helps the new grass grow strong before winter.
Q: How much seed should I spread on the patch?
A: Read the bag instructions, but generally, you should apply enough seed so you can see the soil lightly covered. Do not pile the seed up, or it will smother itself.
Q: Do I need to cover the seed after spreading it?
A: Covering the seed lightly with peat moss or compost helps hold moisture and keeps birds from eating the seeds. It improves results.
Q: How often do I need to water the new patch?
A: Keep the area damp, not soaked, several times a day until you see little green sprouts. Once it grows, you can water less often.
Q: Can I use the same seed I used to start my whole lawn?
A: Yes, if you still have some! Matching the existing grass type is the most important step for a seamless patch.
Q: What does “Dormant Seeding” mean?
A: This means spreading the seed in late winter when it is too cold to sprout. The seed waits until spring temperatures arrive to begin growing.
Q: Why didn’t my patch grow even though I watered it?
A: The seed might be old, or the soil preparation was poor. Also, if it got too hot too fast, the tiny sprouts might have dried out and died.
Q: Should I use fertilizer on the patch?
A: Yes. Use a “starter fertilizer.” It has special nutrients that help brand new grass roots develop strongly.
Q: What is the difference between a blend and a mix?
A: A blend contains several varieties of the same type of grass (like three types of Bluegrass). A mix contains different *types* of grass (like Fescue and Ryegrass).
Q: How long until I can mow over the patched area?
A: Wait until the new grass is about 3 to 4 inches tall before you mow it. Set your mower height high for the first cut over the patch.