- Kentucky bluegrass: Best overall<\/a><\/li>
- Perennial ryegrass: Best for overseeding<\/a><\/li>
- Fine fescue: Best for shade lawns<\/a><\/li>
- Tall fescue: Best for low-maintenance lawns<\/a><\/li>
- Seed mixes for New York<\/a><\/li>
- Other NYS resources<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
Kentucky bluegrass: Best grass overall<\/span><\/h2>
![\"closeup](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/kentucky-grass-1.jpg\")
Shutterstock<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Kentucky bluegrass (KBG) is the most common and best-adapted grass type in New York. This grass is known for its exceptional cold-hardiness, being able to withstand the harsh winters (especially in Upstate New York). It also has the ability to self-repair, due to its underground stems. <\/p>
However, KBG does not tolerate shade well and must be planted in full sun to thrive. To enhance its disease resistance, Cornell University recommends using a blend of at least three different bluegrass varieties. <\/p>
Pro Tip:<\/strong> KBG can be considered a high-maintenance grass. Read more about how to maintain this grass in our guide: Kentucky Bluegrass: How to Grow and Care for It<\/a>.<\/p>
Grass Seed Options:
<\/strong>\u2013 Jonathan Green (11970) Blue Panther Kentucky Bluegrass Grass Seed<\/a> (3 lbs.)
\u2013 SeedRanch Midnight Kentucky Bluegrass Seed<\/a> (5 lbs.)<\/p>Perennial ryegrass: Best grass for overseeding<\/span><\/h2>
![\"perennial](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/pyrennial-ryegrass-1-1.jpeg\")
Aaron Patton | Purdue’s Turfgrass Science Program<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Perennial ryegrass is the go-to choice for overseeding due to its rapid germination rate, making it perfect for quickly thickening your lawn and repairing bare spots. On the other hand, this grass is not as cold-resistant as KBG, making it susceptible to winter injury. For this reason, it\u2019s recommended to use 100% perennial ryegrass only for patching bare spots or overseeding.<\/p>
When seeding a new lawn from scratch, avoid using more than 20% perennial ryegrass in the seed mix. This ensures the lawn remains resilient through New York\u2019s winters while still benefiting from the quick growth. Learn more about this grass in our Perennial Ryegrass Guide<\/a>.<\/p>
Pro Tip: <\/strong>Make sure you\u2019re getting perennial ryegrass and not annual ryegrass. These grasses only survive for one growing season.<\/p>
Grass Seed Options:
<\/strong>\u2013 Outsidepride Perennial Ryegrass Seed<\/a> (5 lbs.)
\u2013 Eretz ProTurf Perennial Ryegrass Fine Lawn Seed<\/a> (choose your size)<\/p>Fine fescue: Best grass for shade lawns<\/span><\/h2>
![\"fine](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Fine-fescue-1.jpg\")
Aaron Patton | Purdue’s Turfgrass Science Program<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Fine fescue is a term that encompasses several types of grasses: creeping red fescue, Chewings fescue, hard fescue, and sheep fescue. These grasses are renowned for their high shade tolerance, though they still require some sunlight to thrive. In New York, fine fescues can be used alone as a monostand in shaded lawns or mixed with Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass. <\/p>
Fine fescues are also very low-maintenance, making them a great choice for those looking for a lush lawn without the hassle. However, these grasses are not well-suited for high foot traffic areas, so it\u2019s not recommended if you have kids or pets that play in the yard. <\/p>
Pro Tip:<\/strong> Read about these grasses\u2019 characteristics in our article: Fine Fescue: How to Grow and Care for It<\/a>.<\/p>
Grass Seed Options:
<\/strong>\u2013 Outsidepride Legacy Fine Fescue Grass Seed<\/a> (5 lbs.)
\u2013 Eretz Creeping Red Fine Fescue Seed<\/a> (choose your size)
\u2013 Outsidepride Creeping Red Fine Fescue Grass Seed<\/a> (25 lbs.)<\/p>Tall fescue: Best grass for low-maintenance lawns<\/span><\/h2>
![\"tall](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Tall-fescue-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Aaron Patton \/ Purdue’s Turfgrass Science Program<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Tall fescue is an excellent choice for those seeking a low-maintenance lawn in the Empire State. It primarily requires only mowing and occasional watering, making it perfect for busy New Yorkers with hectic schedules. <\/p>
In addition, tall fescue thrives in various soil conditions, including the clay soils prevalent in NYC. You can read more about how to care for this grass in our Tall Fescue Guide<\/a>. <\/p>
Tip: <\/strong>Tall fescue is not as cold-resistant as KBG, so it\u2019s not recommended for areas north of Westchester and Orange Counties, except for homes near Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.<\/p>
Grass Seed Options:
<\/strong>\u2013 Triple-Play Tall Fescue Grass Seed Blend<\/a> (5000 sq ft)
\u2013 Eretz Kentucky 31 K31 Tall Fescue Grass Seed<\/a> (choose your size)
\u2013 Pennington The Rebels Tall Fescue Grass Seed Mix<\/a> (7 lb.)<\/p>Seed mixes for New York<\/span><\/h2>
Here are the recommended seed mixes for New York lawns, based on the sunlight and maintenance requirements:<\/p>
- Perennial ryegrass: Best for overseeding<\/a><\/li>