The best grass seeds for New Hampshire are cool-season grass mixes containing Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, perennial ryegrass, and fine fescues. Let’s learn about each of them, so you can keep your lawn as resilient as New Hampshirites’ “Live Free or Die” spirit.
Kentucky bluegrass: Best grass for full sun lawns
Kentucky bluegrass (KBG) thrives in full sun, so it’s not ideal for yards with mostly shady areas. This grass type is relatively high maintenance, requiring regular mowing, fertilization, and watering. However, the effort is worth it as it produces a beautiful, dense blue-green turf.
KBG has a high cold tolerance, which makes it particularly suitable for New Hampshire’s North Country and the central area. For more information about this grass and how to care for it, check out 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.)
Perennial ryegrass: Best grass for quick establishment
Perennial ryegrass establishes quickly (between 4 to 7 days), making it an excellent choice for providing rapid cover and crowding out weeds while other grass types, like Kentucky bluegrass, take root. This grass is also often used in mixes with KBG for its added foot traffic tolerance.
Perennial ryegrass’ rapid establishment also makes it perfect for overseeding and quickly fixing thinning areas in the lawn. However, this grass is not as cold-tolerant, so it may struggle the further north you go in New Hampshire. To learn more about it, 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)
Fine fescue: Best grass for shady areas
Fine fescues are the best choice for shady areas, boasting the highest shade tolerance of all cool-season grasses. In New Hampshire, fine fescues are commonly included in seed mixes with KBG and perennial ryegrass to create a well-rounded lawn.
This grass is easy to care for, but it will struggle under heavy foot traffic, so it’s best suited for areas with minimal activity. Learn more information about this grass in our guide: 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.)
Tall fescue: Best grass for drought conditions
Tall fescue has moderate to high drought tolerance, which makes it ideal for regions of New Hampshire that frequently experience dry conditions. This grass type can also handle difficult soil conditions well, including the sandy or acidic soils common in the state.
Tall fescue requires minimal maintenance aside from frequent mowing, making it a convenient choice for homeowners that don’t have much time on their hands. Check out our guide, Tall Fescue: How to Grow and Care for It, to learn more.
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.)
FAQ about grass in New Hampshire
What are New Hampshire’s planting zones?
New Hampshire’s USDA hardiness planting zones range from 3b to 6b, with average annual extreme minimum temperatures ranging from -35 F to 0 F. However, most of New Hampshire falls within zones 5a, 5b, and 6a.
Learn more in our guide: New Hampshire Planting Zones.
When do I plant grass seeds in New Hampshire?
The best time to plant grass seed in New Hampshire is from August through September. This timing allows the grass to establish strong roots before the winter season sets in.
What are the best seed mixes for New Hampshire lawns?
The best grass seed mixes for New Hampshire, according to the University of New Hampshire, are:
- For sun, in moderate to high maintenance lawns: 50% Kentucky bluegrass, 25% perennial ryegrass, and 25% fine fescue.
- For sun, in low maintenance and/or droughty sites: 50% fine fescue, 20% perennial ryegrass, 20% Kentucky bluegrass, and 10% Dutch white clover or 80% tall fescue and 20% Kentucky bluegrass.
- For shade: 70% fine fescue, 20% perennial ryegrass, and 10% Kentucky bluegrass (shade-tolerant cultivar).
Call the pros
Choosing the best grass seed for your New Hampshire lawn is just the first step in a year-round list of lawn care tasks. But if you’d rather be hiking or skiing across New Hampshire’s beautiful mountains, or enjoying a cozy night with some delicious boiled dinner, consider calling a lawn care pro near you.
Let the experts handle your lawn, so you can fully enjoy everything the Granite State has to offer.
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