Seed Selection Help

The Three Kinds of Seed Mixes

It would be nice if one brand or mix of grass seed worked nationally, but it’s not that easy. You have to consider what growing zone you live in, what type of soil you have, and what you want your lawn to look like.

Many people run off to the “big box” store to grab seed when needed, but the quality you often find there is not something to write home about. And those trying to help you may not have the training they need. There are generally three types of mixes you’ll find when you’re browsing the aisle for grass seed. They are: terrible, pretty good, and excellent. Most stores only carry the first two. The one that is the hardest to find is the excellent mix. Okay, let’s get at it.

Terrible: this is any mix with “annual” ryegrass in it and a high amount of “inert” material. It may also have “intermediate” ryegrass and tons of filler. Most of this mix won’t last past the year and a lot of it will be dead in two years.

Pretty good: this one has all perennials in it. That’s good. It’ll have some named varieties. That’s good. But it’ll also have some common grasses as well. That’s not bad, but you may be sacrificing overall beauty, disease resistance, and longevity.

Excellent: this one has no VNS (variety not stated) seed, no annual seeds, no common bluegrass (usually labeled either 98/85 or 85/80). But it’s not just what this one doesn’t have; it’s what it does have. Here are the characteristics of an excellent quality grass seed. You’ll find this information on the seed tag:

  • The grass seed varieties will all have a name on them. This, in and of itself, doesn’t mean it’s an elite mix because there are a lot of older varieties that are still sold.
  • If there is ryegrass in the mix, it will be perennial and have gray leaf spot resistance (usually the variety will say GLR or something like that after the name.
  • If there is turf-type tall fescue in the mix, it will be at least 75% of the total mix. And there should be some “spreading type” tall fescues in the mix. Usually, they’re labeled SRP (self-repairing) or AS (aggressive spreading).
  • Look at the seed tag – there will be almost 0% weed seed, almost 0% inert matter, no noxious weeds claimed, and very high germination rates.
  • The tag should not be expired. Look for the testing or “sell by” date.
  • The grass should not be coated. Although coated grass seed does grow well and holds moisture better than a non-coated seed, it’s way too expensive. You’re actually buying way more coating material than seed. The price per pound of seed that you’re actually getting is highway robbery. Don’t fall for that trap.

Seed Mix Make Up

If you’re looking to get decent seed but not kill your bank account – these would be “fairly decent:”

Sunny mix – will normally consist of:

  • 40% Bluegrass 98/85
  • 40% Perennial Ryegrass (usually more than one variety; should be an improved variety)
  • 20% Creeping Red Fescue (VNS – variety not stated)

Shady mix – will normally consist of:

  • 50% Creeping Red Fescue (usually more than one variety)
  • 20% Chewings Fescue (improved variety)
  • 20% Perennial Ryegrass (improved variety)
  • 10% Bluegrass 98/85

Let’s say, however, that you want to take it to the next level with an “excellent” mix. You want the best seeds with the best disease resistance, the best turf quality, and the best color.

Then you’ll be choosing mixes that look a little something like this:

Sunny mix – will normally consist of:

  • 60% elite varieties of Perennial Ryegrass
  • 40% elite varieties of Bluegrass

Typically you’ll see at least three different varieties of both the bluegrass and ryegrass. Not all mixes will be exactly like this, but they’ll be in the ballpark.

Six varieties are way better than three or four. That way you assure yourself of maximum diversity – which could be helpful if there is disease or drought pressure in your area.

Shady mix – will normally consist of:

  • 20% elite Bluegrass
  • 20% elite Creeping Red Fescue
  • 20% elite Chewings Fescue
  • 20% elite Hard Fescue
  • 20% elite Perennial Ryegrass

The creeping red fescue, chewings fescue, and hard fescue all work extremely well in the shade and are quite beautiful.

Execu-turf® Grass Seed

The turf grass mixes and blends that we recommend come in a brand called Execu-turf®. It’s distributed by a company called Cisco Seeds in Indiana. They distribute across the midwest to local garden centers, but their mixes will work very well across most of the United States, except some of the extreme southern growing zones. Check with your local experts (an extension agent would be great) to see which grass seed species work best in your area.

Execu-turf® Mixes and Blends

Executive Sun Mix – beautiful turf quality for full sun areas; bluegrass/perennial ryegrass mix; works especially well under irrigation and in highly managed lawns. In other words, you like to fertilizer, water, and make sure you have the best lawn on the block.

Premium Shade Mix – a mix of elite fine fescues for improved shade tolerance.

Playmaker Mix – excellent mix containing primarily improved turf-type tall fescues (with a splash of elite bluegrass and ryegrass varieties; works great for high-traffic areas and lawns with no irrigation. Excellent drought resistance. Has a deep green color.

Showplace Mix – similar to Executive Sun Mix, but with even more bluegrass for that pristine look. The small amount of elite ryegrass helps for fast establishment.

Tuff Turf Blend – a blend of elite turf-type tall fescues for tougher conditions.

Fairway 4 Blend – a blend of elite perennial ryegrasses; quick to establish; gives you the Fairway look.

Premium Sod Blend – a blend of elite bluegrasses for the sod look.

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