By Jasmine Harding | Published Dec 9, 2021 9:06 AM

BobVila.com and its partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

If you live in the Northeast region of the United States, planting the right grass seed is the first step to a luscious lawn. Grasses will look their best when planted in a suitable climate zone, and they’ll be easier to maintain as well. This guide breaks down the best grass types and explores the top picks for lawns in this part of the country. Read on for the best grass seed for Northeast states so you can have the nicest lawn on your block.

Selecting a suitable grass seed can mean the difference between a green and hardy lawn and a patchy and finicky one. When choosing the best grass seed for Northeast area lawns, consider the climate, grass type, and germination rate, as well as the sun exposure and traffic level of your lawn area.

Each region of the United States has different climate and soil conditions, both of which are major influences on lawn growth. When it comes to grass adaptation, the United States is divided into four climate zones.

The Northeast has distinct seasons; winters tend to be cold and bring rain and snow, while summers can be humid, ranging from warm in the northern areas to hot farther south. Due to this weather, it’s classified as a cool, humid zone. The best grass types for the Northeast region can tolerate and thrive in these weather patterns.

In the Northeast region, plentiful rainfall causes soil to leach some of its basic elements, like alkali nutrients, resulting in more acidic soil left behind. To maintain a proper soil pH (usually between 6 and 6.5 for grass), many gardeners in the Northeastern United States apply lime every few years, so that’s a factor to keep in mind along with your regular lawn maintenance routine.

In the United States, grass types are broadly classified as warm season or cool season grasses. Each grass type is better suited for different geographic regions and their climates. Warm season grasses are best suited to warm climates, like in the Southern United States.

Cool season grasses are best for areas that have cold winters and hot summers, like the Northeastern United States. These grasses are hardy and more likely to stay green throughout the year (except when the mercury dips below zero degrees).

Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass, and tall and fine fescues are some of the best cool-season grass options for cool, humid zones like the Northeast.

Grasses vary in the amount of sun they need to look their best. Some grasses need full, direct sun while others can tolerate shade. If you have a shady yard, shade-tolerant grasses include perennial ryegrass and some varieties of fescue.

Sowing a single cool-season grass type is adequate for some lawns, but for an even hardier lawn, plant a combination of cool-season grasses together. Mixing different species together, especially blending types that have different sun requirements, can result in a lusher-looking lawn overall. It allows for each grass type to grow, despite different sun and shade conditions. Some brands sell grass seeds intended for areas that get varying amounts of sun and shade.

Every household treats its lawn differently; one family may see the front yard as a decorative part of the home, while another uses it as a place for rough-and-tumble play. High foot traffic compacts soil, crushing air pockets that hold vital oxygen, nutrients, and water which are necessary for a healthy lawn. If your lawn sees a lot of activity, choose a grass type that can withstand trampling.

Grasses like Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and tall fescue are some cool-season grasses that hold up well to high traffic, while fine fescue is less durable (but can still tolerate some foot traffic).

When it comes to growing a lush lawn, most gardeners choose a seed blend. Unlike single-variety lawn seed, blends have multiple grass varieties that are intentionally paired up to create a better-looking and hardier lawn.

These blends combine the benefits of various seeds to achieve a tougher and more uniform lawn. Different blends can better tailor the lawn to an area’s climate, lighting exposure, or traffic level, making them a more versatile and adaptable choice for most homes. As an added bonus, lawns grown from grass seed blends are also more tolerant to diseases.

Even if you lovingly tend to your newly planted grass, not every seed will grow. Germination percentage is a measure of how many seeds from a batch germinate, displayed in a percentage. Factors like temperature, moisture levels, soil quality, and seed age and quality can all affect the germination percentage.

Some grass seed labels will display a germination percentage, sometimes broken down by seed type. Generally, the higher the quality of the seed, the higher the germination rate—and also the higher the price. In the long run, it pays to buy a high-quality seed with a high germination rate. These seeds can have a germination rate of 90 to 95 percent, which means fewer wasted seeds and a lusher lawn.

A good-looking lawn adds curb appeal to your home, and it’s no surprise that a healthy lawn starts at the root. Sowing the right seeds for your region will result in a prettier, more hardy, and easier-to-maintain lawn. The best grass seeds for the Northeast region are hardy cool season grasses from reputable brands, perfect for growing in the Northeast climate.

If you’re looking for a grass seed that grows in less-than-perfect conditions, look no further than Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Sun & Shade Mix. This grass seed mixture blends a variety of fescues, perennial ryegrasses, and Kentucky bluegrasses to create a hardy and shade-resistant lawn. Ideal for Northern lawns, this seed mix is suitable for a variety of conditions, including full sun and densely shaded areas.

The seeds have Scotts’ exclusive 4-in-1 WaterSmart Plus coating, which helps absorb more water, feeds the seed with essential nutrients to jump-start growth, and protects fragile seedlings from disease. Once established, this seed mix creates a fine-bladed lawn with medium to high drought resistance.

With a mix of different types of grass seeds and fertilizer, the Pennington Smart Seed Sun and Shade Fertilizer Mix sets you up for a green and healthy yard. This blend contains a mix of tall and fine fescues, perennial ryegrass, and Kentucky bluegrass seeds to help make a lush and tough lawn. This variety mix allows the grass to grow in both sunny and moderately shady conditions (ideal for areas with 4 to 6 hours of daily sun).

The seed is specially treated to improve its viability, and is mixed with fertilizer to aid growth. Lawns grown with this seed may save 30 percent more water year after year when compared with other grass seed.

In Northeastern states, Kentucky bluegrass is a popular choice for heavily used lawns. The Scotts Turf Builder Kentucky Bluegrass Mix has a mix of Kentucky bluegrass varieties to create a lawn that stands up to heavy traffic. This blend is also the brand’s most cold-tolerant grass seed mix, making it an excellent pick for frigid areas in the Northeast.

Beyond growing a lawn that looks dense and lush, this grass seed is also durable for high-traffic areas. This grass seed mix has the ability to self-repair through the seasons to withstand wear and tear, heat, and moderate drought conditions. Like other Scotts Turf products, it has Scotts’ exclusive WaterSmart Plus coating, which aids in water absorption, protects seedlings from disease, and provides the seed with essential nutrients for better growth.

Tall fescue grass is a favorite in Northeast states for its strength and attractive look. The Pennington Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue Grass Seed is a classic choice for a durable and low- maintenance lawn. This grass seed grows thick blades of grass that stand up well to hot summers, heavy rain, and foot traffic.

The Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue variety in particular produces a lighter green turf that looks attractive for a front or back yard. This grass seed is a good choice for regions with hot summers; it has a superior heat tolerance compared to some other fescue grass varieties. It also grows best in full sun, but can tolerate medium shade (in areas with 4 to 6 hours of sun per day).

Perennial ryegrass is a popular grass type for several reasons: It germinates quickly and tolerates foot traffic while keeping a lush appearance. The Scotts Turf Builder Perennial Ryegrass Mix is an excellent pick for those looking for a perennial ryegrass mix.

This grass seed is designed for full sun and light shade. While it has a lower drought resistance and shade tolerance than some of Scotts’ other grass seed mixes, it does have the brand’s WaterSmart Plus Coating for better growth. The fine-bladed texture of this grass makes for a handsome lawn that establishes quickly, whether starting a new lawn, covering bare spots, or aiding in erosion control.

The Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Sun & Shade Mix has a mix of fescue, perennial ryegrass, and Kentucky bluegrass seeds (all great grass varieties for the Northeast) that makes it suitable for full sun, heavy shade, and seasonal conditions. The Pennington Smart Seed Sun and Shade Fertilizer Mix is another excellent choice that includes a good grass blend for the Northeast, plus the addition of a fertilizer.

Planting the right grass seed matters, especially in the Northeastern United States, where seasonal weather extremes are a part of daily life. Choosing the right grass variety can mean the difference between a lush, green lawn and a brown, patchy yard. When selecting our top picks for the best grass seed for the Northeast, we took grass variety into account, choosing grass varieties and grass seed mixes that stand up well to the Northeastern climate.

Several popular grass types are suitable in the Northeast region, so we researched product specifications and consumer reviews to narrow down our top picks. We chose grass seeds from reputable companies who built a brand off of creating reliable grass and garden products, so you know your lawn will be off to a healthy start.

With the right grass seed and proper maintenance, you can have a gorgeous, green lawn that is the talk of the block. Still having trouble choosing the best grass seed for your lawn? Ahead are some frequently asked questions about choosing and planting grass seed in the Northeast.

In the Northeast, it’s best to plant grass seed in the late summer or early fall.

For most lawns in the region, the best grass seed for New England is a robust, cool-season blend.

To prepare your lawn for seeding, remove any debris like sticks, large rocks, and weeds. Break up the soil with a spade, garden fork, hoe, or aerator, removing any other debris as you go. If the grass seed does not contain fertilizer, consider adding fertilizer before seeding the lawn. Seed the lawn according to the manufacturer’s directions.

Northeast Pennsylvania is in the cool, humid zone, so cool-season grasses that thrive in the Northeastern United States (like fescues, perennial ryegrass, and Kentucky bluegrass) are suitable.

Cool-season grasses thrive best in New York’s wide range of temperatures. Look for a blend with Kentucky bluegrass and fescue varieties, which is a mix that can tolerate the extremes of cold and heat.

Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy.

Copyright © 2021 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved.