Cheap Grass Seed Mixes To Avoid

Yesterday we discussed incompatible grass mixes that can be commercially purchased. I thought we would extend that train of thought today looking at some of the grass seed mixes that you should avoid. These mixes are traditionally your cheaper products and while the initial cost may be cheaper, over time you could well pay two or three times the cost of quality lawn seed mix.

If you are looking at a grass seed mix that contains the following grasses, be wary – here’s why:

Annual Ryegrass: Often the base seed for cheap products. It will most likely die out during the winter. This means you will need to re-sow the following spring. (Don’t confuse annual with perennial Ryegrasses – perennial Ryegrass can work well in lawns.)

Rough Bluegrass: This is considered a weed by many and doesn’t really blend in well with other grass types. It is a good shade of grass and, when sown on it’s own, can make a good ground cover. As a grass in a mixed lawn, it’s better left out. (This seed is fine in a Bluegrass blend mix.)

Bentgrass: This is also considered by many to be a weed. It does blend in well with most grass types, however, if you like your lawn cut to around two-three inches then it can look quite untidy. It prefers to be cut much lower. It can eventually dominate a lawn. It is not well suited to very hot or very cold conditions, often becoming dormant or dying back and leaving brown patches.

On their own, some of these grasses can be useful. However, they are not quality grasses and don’t make for great lawns so if your seed mix contains any of them, look for a different mix. If you have already planted a mix with these grass types, you will need to do some work over time to over sow with better quality grasses. Use a seeding tool to perforate through any thatch and the soil then sow using a quality lawn seed mix. Water well and, over time, the new grasses will take over from the cheaper varieties.