Best Grass Seed for Delaware Lawns

Beautiful white farm house with black roof near Milford, Delaware, USA

For a lush carpet of green grass, the best cool-season grass seed for Delaware lawns is tall fescue.

Whether you’re looking to plant a new lawn from scratch or you just need to overseed your current lawn, it’s important to know what kind of grass will grow best for your Delaware landscape. While cool-season grass is the dominant grass in the state, the warm-season grass Zoysiagrass is also able to grow in the region.

Which grasses grow best in Delaware?

Map of the United States showing cool-season grass, warm-season grass, and transition zones.
Infographic by Juan Rodriguez

Delaware is in the transition zone, meaning both cool and warm-season grasses can survive in the area. However, cool-season grasses are the most widely grown and successful grasses in Delaware.

Best cool-season grass seed for Delaware

growth of cool season grass
Infographic by Juan Rodriguez

Cool-season grasses prefer temperatures between 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. They go dormant when temps continually dip below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. In the high heat of summer when temps reach the mid-80s, they may also go dormant, especially without supplemental water.  

Due to their temperature preferences, these grasses are most active in early spring through May or June. Cool-season grasses will go dormant through the hottest part of the summer before returning to a lush green carpet in the fall. These lawns will continue growing into October before going into hibernation for the winter.

Tall fescue

closeup of tall fescue grass
Aaron Patton | Purdue’s Turfgrass Science Program

This is the top choice for Delaware lawns because it will be green the longest through the summer. Tall fescue is disease and pest-resistant but can develop brown patch if overwatered and overfertilized. 

Its high tolerance of salt makes this a prime choice for a coastal state like Delaware. Tall fescue is also highly tolerant of drought with a moderate tolerance for heat.

To establish from seed, tall fescue will require patience as it is slow to grow during the first year.

Classification: Cool-season grass

Spreads by: Produces short rhizomes but has a bunch-type growth habit

Shade tolerance: Moderate

Drought tolerance: Moderate to High

Foot traffic tolerance: Moderate

Maintenance needs: Frequent mowing. Does not produce significant thatch. 

Mowing height: Set mowing height to 2 inches when grass reaches 3 inches tall.  

Potential for disease: Tolerant of most diseases when properly maintained. 

Soil pH: 5.5-6.5

Soil type: Adapted to a wide range of soil conditions, but prefers fertile clay soils with good drainage. 

Established by: Sod and seed. Spread 6 to 8 pounds of grass seed per 1,000 square feet.

Grass Seed Options:
Triple-Play Tall Fescue Grass Seed Blend (5000 sq ft)
Eretz Kentucky 31 K31 Tall Fescue Grass Seed (choose your size)
Pennington The Rebels Tall Fescue Grass Seed Mix (7 lb.)

Fine fescue

closeup of fine fescue grass
Aaron Patton | Purdue’s Turfgrass Science Program

Perfect for shady lawns, fine fescues don’t like a lot of sun. These grasses tolerate drought, cold, and salt well and can easily adapt to acidic soils. Fine fescues do best in soil that is well-drained and is sandy, clay, or loamy, but keep in mind that different species do have slightly different preferences.

For a low-maintenance lawn, fine fescues are the way to go. They don’t require a lot of mowing or fertilization and are a tough group of grasses with thin, narrow, needle-esque blades. Fine fescues will require some patience as you will have to establish your lawn from seed.

Classification: Cool-season grass

Spreads by: Creeping red fescue spreads by rhizomes, while other fine fescues are bunch-type grasses, such as Chewings, hard, and sheep fescues. 

Shade tolerance: Moderate to High, depending on species

Drought tolerance: Moderate to High, depending on species

Foot traffic tolerance: Low to Moderate, depending on species

Maintenance needs: Low fertilizer and mowing needs  

Mowing height: Set mowing height between 2.5 and 4 inches, depending on species. 

Potential for disease: Moderate. Common diseases include red thread, leaf spot, dollar spot, summer patch, and powdery mildew. 

Soil pH: 6-6.5

Soil type: Will not perform well in wet soil conditions. Prefers drier soils and tolerates a wide range of soil types and fertility. 

Established by: Seed. Spread 5 pounds per 1,000 square feet.

Grass Seed Options:
Outsidepride Legacy Fine Fescue Grass Seed (5 lbs.)
Eretz Creeping Red Fine Fescue Seed (choose your size)
Outsidepride Creeping Red Fine Fescue Grass Seed (25 lbs.)
Outsidepride Hard Fine Fescue Grass Seed (10 lbs.)

Kentucky bluegrass

closeup of kentucky grass in a lawn
Shutterstock

This high-quality grass is a great cold-hardy option, making it an ideal choice for residents that live in the northern part of the state. Kentucky bluegrass prefers well-drained, heavy soils and has high fertilization needs.

Kentucky bluegrass can be established from seed or sod, but if you’re in a rush, use sod to establish a new lawn. Seeds will take much longer to establish a thick lawn. Kentucky bluegrass can be planted in partial shade with a seed blend of fine fescue.

Classification: Cool-season grass

Spreads by: Rhizomes

Shade tolerance: Low

Drought tolerance: Moderate

Foot traffic tolerance: Moderate

Maintenance needs: Moderate mowing frequency and high fertilization needs. 

Mowing height: Set mowing height between 2.5 and 3.5 inches. 

Potential for disease: Moderate to high; prone to several diseases, such as dollar spot, leaf spot, necrotic ring spot, summer patch, and stripe smut. 

Soil pH: 6-7.5

Soil type: Performs best in well-drained, heavy soils with high fertility. 

Established by: Sod and seeds. Spread 3 pounds of grass seed per 1,000 square feet for a new lawn or 1.5 pounds per 1,000 square feet to overseed.

Grass Seed Options:
Jonathan Green (11970) Blue Panther Kentucky Bluegrass Grass Seed (3 lbs.)
SeedRanch Midnight Kentucky Bluegrass Seed (5 lbs.)

Perennial ryegrass

pyrennial ryegrass in a lawn
Aaron Patton | Purdue’s Turfgrass Science Program

This fine-textured grass will handle Delaware’s hot summers well but can be susceptible to fungal diseases especially when humidity is present. Perennial ryegrass features fine-textured blades with a dark green color that many homeowners desire.

Perennial ryegrass is often used in a seed mixture with Kentucky bluegrass and will be the first to germinate, creating a delicate cover while the bluegrass takes its time to grow into place.

Classification: Cool-season grass

Spreads by: Has a bunch-type growth habit

Shade tolerance: Low

Drought tolerance: Low

Foot traffic tolerance: High

Maintenance needs: Moderate mowing and fertilization requirements. Thatch is not significant. 

Mowing height: Set mowing height to 1.5 to 2.5 inches

Potential for disease: High. Common diseases include gray leaf spot, red thread, and leaf spot/melting-out. 

Soil pH: Can grow in soils with a pH between 5 and 8, but prefers between 6 and 7. 

Soil type: Prefers good drainage and fertility, but can tolerate some poor drainage.

Established by: Seed. Spread 8 to 12 pounds per 1,000 square feet. 

Grass Seed Options:
Outsidepride Perennial Ryegrass Seed (5 lbs.)
Eretz ProTurf Perennial Ryegrass Fine Lawn Seed (choose your size)

Creeping bentgrass

Creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera)
Daderot | Wikimedia Commons | Public Domain

Creeping bentgrass is not generally used in Delaware backyards. But it is a popular specialty grass for Delaware’s golf courses and recreation fields. 

A high-maintenance grass, creeping bentgrass that requires frequent mowing, watering, and fertilization. It can become invasive if mismanaged and is prone to thatch. It can be established using seeds or sod.

Classification: Cool-season grass

Spreads by: Stolons

Shade tolerance: Moderate

Drought tolerance: Low

Foot traffic tolerance: Moderate

Maintenance needs: Requires frequent watering, fertilizing, dethatching, and mowing. 

Mowing height: Set the mowing height between 0.5 and 0.125 inches. 

Potential for disease: High disease potential. Common infections include dollar spot and brown patch. 

Soil pH: 5.5-6.5

Soil type: Prefers moist soils with good drainage. 

Established by: Sod is the easiest method. Seeds take up to 2 weeks to germinate.

Best warm-season grass seed for Delaware

growth of warm season grass
Infographic by Juan Rodriguez

Warm-season grasses do best when air temperatures are between 80 and 95 degrees. Fahrenheit. Zoysiagrass is the best warm-season grass choice for Delaware residents.

Zoysiagrass

closeup of Zoysiagrass
Forest & Kim Starr | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 3.0

Residents along the southern border and coastal regions of Delaware may prefer to use this grass for its love of heat and sun. Zoysiagrass is highly tolerant of drought, salt, and shade. 

This grass provides summer lawns with a perfect carpet of emerald green that can also tolerate heavy traffic, making it perfect for those with kids and pets. Beware, it can grow aggressively and could encroach on your neighbor’s lawn.

Zoysiagrass can be established through sod or seed. However, experts recommend using sod to establish Zoysiagrass as it can be difficult to establish via seed. 

Classification: Warm-season grass

Spreads by: Stolons and rhizomes

Shade tolerance: Moderate

Drought tolerance: Moderate to High

Foot traffic tolerance: High, but recovers slowly from damage

Maintenance needs: Low nitrogen fertilization requirements, although it’s prone to thatch build-up. 

Mowing height: Set mowing height between 1 and 2 inches.

Potential for disease: Good disease tolerance overall

Soil pH: 6-6.5

Soil type: Well-draining, some cultivars are more tolerant of a wide range of soils than others.

Established by: Sod or seed (sod is recommended). If seeding, spread 2 pounds of seed per 1,000 square feet.

Grass Plug and Seed Options:
Zoysia Plugs (50 Large Grass Plugs)
Zoysia Plugs (50 Full & Lush Grass Plugs)
Zoysia Plugs (100 Plugs)
Zenith Zenith Grass Seeds (1/8 lb. of seeds)

How to choose the best grass seed

When choosing a grass seed, take into consideration not just the Delaware climate but also the local climate of your part of the state. If you live in the southern part of the state, there are grasses better suited for your lawn than in the northern region, among other factors.

Other things to consider: 

  • What is the microclimate in your yard?
  • How much shade or sun do you have on your property?
  • Are you looking for a low-maintenance lawn, or are you OK with putting in the effort for that perfect lawn?
  • What type of soil do you have in your yard? If you’re unsure, contact your local county extension office for soil testing.
  • How much traffic will your yard endure? Do you have pets and children that will be out playing in the yard often?

Take all these things into consideration as you are making your decision so you can choose the grass type that’s best for you and your property.

Best grass seed for southern Delaware lawns

While the whole state is in the transition zone, most of the state grows cool-season grass best. However, for the southern region, there is one warm-season grass that will grow in Delaware. Zoysiagrass can be grown in the most southern part of the state. However, it’s recommended to establish Zoysiagrass with sod, not seed.

Best grass seed for northern Delaware lawns

Since Delaware is on the northern edge of the transition zone, cool-season grasses are the recommended grass type. The cool-season grasses most easily grown in Delaware include tall fescue, fine fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and creeping bentgrass. 

These grasses are most active in the early spring through May or June before going dormant through the most brutal parts of the summer. Then they will green up again in the fall before hibernating for the winter in October.

When to plant grass seed in Delaware

Delaware homeowners should plan to plant grass seed in the late summer or early fall, about Aug. 15 to Sept. 30. It’s best to plant cool-season grasses when soil temperatures are between 50 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit so the soil is warm enough to promote germination. 

If you don’t seed in the fall, then the next best time to plant cool-season grass is in the spring, typically about March 1 to April 15. If you are installing sod (which is recommended for the warm-season Zoysia), this can be done any time throughout the year; just be sure to water it enough for proper rooting.

How to prepare for planting grass

Properly preparing your yard for planting is key to the best possible results.

  • Clear your yard of all sticks, branches, stones, or other debris.
  • Remove any weeds that may currently be taking up residence in your yard.
  • Spread 2 to 4 inches of organic matter and till into the ground.
  • Choose the grass seed type.
  • Purchase your grass seed. (Use a grass seed calculator to determine how much grass seed you will need to purchase.)

How to spread grass seed

Once you have completed prepping your soil, you can start spreading the grass seed. If you have a large yard, we recommend using a broadcast seed spreader. However, for smaller areas, you can spread grass seed by hand. Here’s an outline for how to plant grass seed:

  • Evenly spread the seed going back and forth across your lawn. 
  • Then go back over your yard perpendicular to the initial direction. 
  • After you have laid the grass seed, use a rake to spread a thin layer of soil over the grass seed.
  • Cover with mulch.

In the days following planting, be sure to keep the soil moist in order for the seed to germinate. Expect to water daily, unless the ground is still wet from spring showers, and avoid soaking your soil.

How to overseed grass in Delaware

Overseeding as part of your regular lawn care in the spring and fall is essential to get that thick green carpet of grass. Here’s a basic overview of how to overseed your lawn:

  • Clean up your yard and remove any debris.
  • Aerate and dethatch.
  • Spread the grass seed across the lawn. 
  • Rake soil on top of the seeds.
  • Place mulch on top to protect the seeds from drought, birds, and wind.

Ready to start planting? Call a Pro

If you want that perfect green lawn without the hassle of doing it all yourself, contact a local lawn care company. Lawn Love’s professionals will have all your neighbors wondering what the secret is to your glistening green grass.

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Main Image Credit: Shutterstock

Amy Adams

Amy is a writer, editor and former newspaper journalist. She gave up the Kansas sunflowers she grew up with for Florida palm trees 15+ years ago and hasn’t looked back. She loves spending time outdoors enjoying Florida’s generous green grasses and soaking up some vitamin D.