Because of the humid summers and snowy winters, the best grass seeds for Massachusetts lawns are cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass, tall and fine fescues, and perennial ryegrass.
In this article, we’ll discuss the best grass seeds for Massachusetts and also the best seed mixes for the state:
Kentucky bluegrass
Kentucky bluegrass is a fine-bladed grass that provides homeowners with a beautiful dark green lawn. With excellent cold tolerance but poor salinity tolerance, Kentucky bluegrass is ideal for homeowners in the western parts of the state, such as Pittsfield.
With poor shade tolerance, Kentucky bluegrass is the best grass seed for full sun in Massachusetts. Just keep in mind that this beautiful turf comes with high-maintenance needs. Learn how to care for your Kentucky bluegrass lawn by reading our guide: Kentucky Bluegrass: How to Grow and Care for It.
Grass Seed Options:
– Jonathan Green (11970) Blue Panther Kentucky Bluegrass Grass Seed (3 lbs.)
– SeedRanch Midnight Kentucky Bluegrass Seed (5 lbs.)
Tall fescue
One of the best grass types for Boston, tall fescue is a well-adapted and widely used turfgrass throughout Massachusetts. It is winter-hardy, usually surviving New England winters where heavy snow is common. But its good heat and salinity tolerance also make it a perfect choice for home lawns in the southern coastal areas of Massachusetts.
Tall fescue produces very little thatch, but you should expect moderate maintenance needs. To learn more about tall fescue’s requirements, read our guide: Tall Fescue: How to Grow and Care for It.
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 fescues
Got shade? No problem. Fine fescue is here for you. Fine fescues are highly adapted to shady areas and less fertile and acidic soils. With a poor salinity tolerance, however, they might not be the right match for you if you live in a coastal area.
Fine fescue requires infrequent mowing and is considered a low-maintenance grass. See how to take care of fine fescue lawns in our article: Fine Fescue: How to Grow and Care for It.
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.)
Perennial ryegrass
The best grass for overseeding in Massachusetts is perennial ryegrass. Frequently used to overseed lawns in the fall or spring, this turfgrass has excellent traffic tolerance and improves other cool-season grasses’ ability to tolerate wear and tear.
Perennial ryegrass requires moderate maintenance, and just like Kentucky bluegrass, it has poor shade tolerance. To learn more about perennial ryegrass, read our guide: Perennial Ryegrass: How to Grow and Care for It.
Grass Seed Options:
– Outsidepride Perennial Ryegrass Seed (5 lbs.)
– Eretz ProTurf Perennial Ryegrass Fine Lawn Seed (choose your size)
Recommended seed mixes for Massachusetts lawns
The University of Massachusetts recommends using a mix of different turfgrass species to improve performance on home lawns. Here are the recommended seed mixes and what conditions they are best suited for:
| Seed mixes (by weight) | Best use |
| 65% to 75% Kentucky bluegrass* 10% to 20% perennial ryegrass* and 15% fine fescue** | For lawns exposed to full sun, with moderate to high maintenance requirements |
| 65% fine fescue* 10%-20% perennial ryegrass* and the rest of Kentucky bluegrass | For full sun lawns with low maintenance needs |
| 80% to 90% fine fescue* 10% to 20% perennial ryegrass* | For lawns that get plenty of shade |
| 80% shade-tolerant Kentucky bluegrass* 20% perennial ryegrass* | For well-drained lawns |
* The University of Massachusetts recommends using two to three improved cultivars.
** The University of Massachusetts recommends using one or more improved cultivars.
Pro tip: If you’re still not sure which of these grasses would be a perfect fit for your home, visit our guide on How to Choose the Right Grass for Your Lawn.
FAQ
When should I plant grass seed in Massachusetts?
The best time to plant grass seed in Massachusetts is late summer and early fall, from late August up to late September.
What is Massachusetts’s USDA hardiness zone?
Massachusetts is located in the USDA hardiness zones 5a to 7b. Zones 5a to 7b are on the colder side, making cool-season grasses the best fit for the state.
What conditions can limit grass growth?
Environmental conditions that can deter grass growth include:
- Soil infertility
- Drought
- Acidic pH
- Shallow root zones
- Excessive traffic
- Mowing close or at the wrong time (when the grass is wet, going through dormancy, or during periods of drought, for example)
Pro tip: To learn the right time to mow (and to aerate, fertilize, and perform other lawn care tasks), refer to our Month-by-Month Lawn Care Calendar for Massachusetts.
When to call a pro
Choosing the right grass for your lawn involves knowing the area and being familiar with the weaknesses and strengths of each grass. An experienced pro can help you choose the right grass seed and even do the seeding for you. Contact a Massachusetts lawn care professional and get your dream lawn today.
Source:
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Main Image Credit: Thomas Kelley from Boston, MA / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0
