Eastern Kentucky is ideal for cool-season grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, and perennial ryegrass. The type of grass seed you select will depend on factors like your soil type, the required maintenance, foot traffic levels, and sunlight exposure.
Choosing the right grass seed for lawns in the Appalachian area of the Bluegrass State is important for good growth. Your specific lawn needs and the unique characteristics of your yard significantly influence this choice. With proper planning, planting cool-weather grasses in early fall can result in a vibrant and healthy lawn.
If you’re looking for grass seed in another part of Kentucky, check out our guide for The Best Grass Seed for Kentucky Lawns.
Best grass types for eastern Kentucky
The Appalachian Plateau makes up most of eastern Kentucky, which includes places like Ashland, Middlesboro, and London. The region has a lot of sandstone and shale, which causes the soil to be rather acidic. The eastern Kentucky planting zones fall within the USDA hardiness zones 6b to 7a, so cool-season grasses like tall fescue, perennial ryegrass, and Kentucky bluegrass grow best in these areas.
Kentucky bluegrass: Best grass for high-traffic areas
Eastern Kentucky’s climate and soil conditions are ideal for Kentucky bluegrass. This cool-season grass prefers neutral, well-draining soil but is tolerant of the slightly acidic conditions common in the Appalachian Plateau.
Known for its robust nature, Kentucky bluegrass (KGB) recovers well from moderate foot traffic and prefers full sun. Moreover, it’s well adapted to the cool climates and is one of the best grasses to walk on barefoot. Its dense, lush growth makes it a visually appealing choice for lawns, contributing to its popularity.
Learn more in our guide for How to Grow and Care for Kentucky Bluegrass.
Grass Seed Options:
– Jonathan Green (11970) Blue Panther Kentucky Bluegrass Grass Seed (3 lbs.)
– SeedRanch Midnight Kentucky Bluegrass Seed (5 lbs.)
Perennial ryegrass: Best grass for quick establishment
Perennial ryegrass is an excellent choice for cooler climates like eastern Kentucky. It has a fine texture and thrives in full sun but has a low shade tolerance. Well-known for its rapid germination, perennial ryegrass provides quick ground coverage.
Perennial ryegrass maintains a lush green appearance throughout the spring and fall growing seasons, but growth slows in summer. Although it prefers well-drained and fertile soil, it can adapt to the slightly acidic conditions common in eastern Kentucky. Its resilience to wear and tear makes it one of the best grasses for high-traffic areas.
Pro Tip: If you seed perennial ryegrass alone, it might not withstand the summer’s heat without extra irrigation and disease control. However, when seeded alongside Kentucky bluegrass, it will thrive in Kentucky.
See our guide on How to Grow and Care for Perennial Ryegrass for more information.
Grass Seed Options:
– Outsidepride Perennial Ryegrass Seed (5 lbs.)
– Eretz ProTurf Perennial Ryegrass Fine Lawn Seed (choose your size)
Tall fescue: Best grass for poor soil
Tall fescue is an excellent grass choice for lawns in eastern Kentucky. Its ability to handle heat, drought, and shade and its deep root system that efficiently uses soil moisture enable it to withstand dry and hot conditions. Tall fescue is adapted to various soil conditions but thrives best in well-draining clay or sandy soils.
The adaptability and resilience of tall fescue grass make it ideal for areas with foot traffic. Its robust, dense growth makes it a perfect choice for active households and a good grass for dogs. When well maintained, it is also resistant to many common Kentucky lawn weeds.
For more details, see our guide on How to Grow and Care for Tall Fescue.
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: Best grass for shade
Fine fescue is a popular choice for lawns in eastern Kentucky due to its adaptability and resistance to various challenging conditions. It thrives in partial sun or semi-shaded areas and is more drought-resistant than other cool-season grasses thanks to its extensive root system.
However, it requires regular watering during droughts and isn’t suitable for high-traffic areas. Fine fescue, recognized for its fine, needle-like blades, is often mixed with other cool-season grasses, especially in sun/shade grass seed blends.
For more information, check out our guide on How to Grow and Care for Fine Fescue.
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.)
What to read next
In eastern Kentucky, the best time to plant grass seed is in the late summer or early fall, from mid-August to late September, or mid-February to mid-March for spring planting. Learn how to prep and care for your new lawn with the following articles.
- How to Read a Soil Test Report
- Why, When, and How to Aerate a Lawn
- How to Plant Grass Seed
- How to Mow a Lawn the Right Way
FAQ: Grass seed in Kentucky
How long does it take for new grass to grow in eastern Kentucky?
It can take between 5 and 21 days for new grass to germinate depending on grass type, soil, and climate conditions. Below is the average time each type takes to sprout.
- Fine fescue: 5 to 12 days
- Tall fescue: 7 to 10 days
- Perennial ryegrass: 5 to 7 days
- Kentucky bluegrass: 10 to 21 days
How can I prevent birds from eating my grass seed?
Straw, moss, or seed blankets can be used to cover the seeded area to block birds from eating the seeds.
Can I make my new grass grow faster?
Yes, you can. Also known as partial seed germination, you can pre-germinate grass seeds by soaking them in water until the root breaks out of the seed coat.
When to call a pro
Choosing the right grass seed in eastern Kentucky can be challenging due to varying soil types and growing conditions. If you’re unsure what will work best for your lawn, consider getting professional help. Lawn Love can connect you with local lawn care experts who can assist with all your lawn needs, including selecting the right seed for your lush new lawn.
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Main Image Credit: May-Latta House | Nyttend | Wikimedia Commons | CC0 1.0
