Seeding Rates by Grass Type
Different grass species have different seed sizes and recommended seeding rates. Using the wrong rate wastes seed (too much) or leaves thin coverage (too little). The calculator above lets you adjust the rate, but here are the standard rates by species.
| Grass Type | New Lawn (lbs/1,000 sq ft) | Overseeding (lbs/1,000 sq ft) | Seed Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Bluegrass | 2 to 3 | 1 to 2 | Very small (2.2M seeds/lb) |
| Tall Fescue | 6 to 8 | 3 to 4 | Large (227K seeds/lb) |
| Perennial Ryegrass | 6 to 8 | 3 to 4 | Medium (227K seeds/lb) |
| Fine Fescue | 4 to 5 | 2 to 3 | Small (615K seeds/lb) |
| Bermuda (hulled) | 1 to 2 | 0.5 to 1 | Very small (1.7M seeds/lb) |
New Lawn vs Overseeding
New lawn seeding uses the full recommended rate because you’re establishing grass from scratch on bare soil. Overseeding uses roughly half the rate because you’re filling in an existing lawn, not starting from nothing.
For the Central Plains (Omaha area), seed in early September for cool-season grasses. Soil is still warm from summer, fall moisture supports germination, and young grass has two cool seasons to establish before summer stress. Spring seeding works but gives grass less establishment time before heat arrives.
How to Buy the Right Amount
Grass seed is sold in 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 25, and 50 pound bags. Buy 10% more than the calculator suggests to account for uneven application, edges, and reseeding bare spots that don’t germinate on the first pass. Unused seed stores for 2 to 3 years in a cool, dry place.
