Garden chart
Grass Seeding Rate Chart by Species
Seeding rate depends on seed size — fine fescue seed is tiny compared to a Kentucky bluegrass seed, so the same weight covers very different areas. New lawns need roughly double the seed of an overseeding job because overseeding fills gaps in an already-established stand.
| Species | New lawn rate (lb / 1,000 sq ft) | Overseeding rate (lb / 1,000 sq ft) |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky bluegrass | 2–3 lb | 1–1.5 lb |
| Perennial ryegrass | 6–8 lb | 3–4 lb |
| Tall fescue | 6–8 lb | 3–4 lb |
| Fine fescue | 3–5 lb | 1.5–2.5 lb |
| Bermudagrass (seeded types) | 1–2 lb | 0.5–1 lb |
| Zoysia (seeded types) | 1–2 lb | 0.5–1 lb |
| Centipedegrass | 0.25–0.5 lb | 0.25 lb |
Notes
- Cool-season grasses (bluegrass, ryegrass, fescue) establish best seeded in early fall or spring; warm-season grasses (bermuda, zoysia, centipede) establish best in late spring through early summer.
- Blends often list a combined bag rate on the label — that number is calibrated for the specific mix and should override a single-species chart rate.
- Overseeding into an existing lawn without core aeration or dethatching first wastes a large share of the seed, since it never reaches soil contact.
Put this into practice
- Grass Seed CalculatorHow much grass seed do I need?
- Lawn Fertilizer CalculatorHow much fertilizer does my lawn need?
More charts like this
- Vegetable Spacing Chart: In-Row and Between-Row DistancesRecommended in-row and between-row spacing for the most commonly grown vegetables, in a raised bed or a traditional row garden.
- Seed Sowing Depth Chart by Vegetable and FlowerHow deep to sow common vegetable and flower seeds directly in the garden, plus days to germination as a rule of thumb.
- Mulch Coverage Chart: Square Feet per Cubic Yard by DepthHow much area one cubic yard of mulch covers at common application depths, plus recommended depth by mulch type.