Experts share the 8 best grass seeds to plant in fall 2023

When you're a homeowner, you want everything to look pristine (you know, the white picket fence and the whole nine yards).

Speaking of yards, we want that to look good, too. After all, it doesn't make us feel all too good when our neighbors have vibrant green grass and we have something more akin to burnt-orange hay. (Related: Best lawn mowers and best robot lawn mowers).

That's where grass seed comes in. Before you freak out and think, "I have no green thumb whatsoever," we're here to help. There isn't much of a learning curve if you research it well enough before getting started — and that's exactly what we did, for you.

"Grass seed can improve your lawn's appearance by filling in bare spots and addressing thinning areas," Marc Mayer, director of technical operations at TruGreen, told the New York Post. "Lawns can go through stressful periods throughout the summer months and often require some help to build up density as it goes into the winter."

As a bonus, filling empty spaces also helps crowd out encroaching weeds, reduces soil erosion and gives you lawn a uniform appearance. "Seeding is most commonly performed in cool season grass markets, which include grass-types like Kentucky Bluegrass, Tall Fescue, Ryegrass and Fine Fescue," he adds.

Ahead, we assembled an in-depth FAQ section answering your common asks about using grass seed in different climates, understanding which ones to buy, how to properly use them and more. Additionally, our experts pulled the 8 best grass seeds to purchase for your specific lawn needs (for some cutting-edge curb appeal, may we add).

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Best All-Season Grass Seed

1. Vigoro 3 lbs. Fast Grass Seed Mix

"If you're looking for a grass seed that works in any region, we recommend the Vigoro 3 lbs. Fast Grass Seed Mix," Nick Wren, merchant of fertilizers and seed at The Home Depot, told The Post. Not only is it budget-friendly at less than $15 but it helps germinate fast and, the best part? If you have sunny or shady patches alike, it'll help repair them as well.

Best for Warm-Season Grass

1. Scotts Turf Builder 4 lbs. Rapid Grass Bermudagrass Mix

According to Wren, Bermudagrass fills in quickly and its aggressive growth is helpful to resist weeds. "It flourishes with the full sunlight in the warmer regions of the Southeast United States," he adds.

The Turf Builder 4 lbs. Rapid Grass Bermudagrass thrives in warm sunny areas and is guaranteed to grow.

2. Scotts Turf Builder 5 lbs. Grass Seed Argentine Bahiagrass for Excellent Heat & Drought Resistance

"Bahia can be found on some lawns from Florida through the southern Coastal Plans and the Texas Gulf Coast, where resilience in turf grass is needed," Wren explains.

For a helpful treatment, he recommends the Scotts Turf Builder 5 lbs. Grass Seed Argentine Bahiagrass for Excellent Heat & Drought Resistance because it's designed for full sun and has a course bladed texture with high drought resistance.

3. Scotts Turf Builder 5 lbs. Grass Seed Centipede Grass Seed & Mulch to Grow a Thick, Low-Maintenance Lawn

"Centipede grass is popular throughout the Southern United States for its slow-growing and low-maintenance traits, even in poor soil," Wren says.

For this grass type, specifically, use the Scotts Turf Builder 5 lbs. Grass Seed Centipede Grass Seed & Mulch Grows a Thick, Low-Maintenance Lawn because it thrives in sandy, acidic soils and sunny areas. "It combines mulch and seed to grow a thick, low-maintenance lawn," he notes.

4. Scotts EZ Patch Lawn Repair for St. Augustine Lawns

"St. Augustine grass grows quickly and tolerates the heat and humidity of the South," Wren says. "It also isn't bothered much by salt, making it a good choice for coastal lawns."

The recommended treatment? Scotts' EZ Patch Lawn Repair for St. Augustine Lawns. "It offers a brand new way to repair bare spots in your St. Augustine-grass lawns," he adds.

Best for Cold-Season Grass

1. Vigoro 20 lbs. Tall Fescue Grass Seed Blend with Water Saver Seed Coating

"Fescue has many varieties and textures that can thrive in mild winters and warm summers," Wren shares.

What's great about the Vigoro 20 lbs. Tall Fescue Grass Seed Blend with Water Saver Seed Coating is that it provides dense grass even on tough lawns and thrives in both sunny and shaded areas.

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