Tool
Grass seed calculator
How much seed a new lawn or an overseeding takes, by grass type, with the bags to buy and the best time to sow.
Seed calculator
How much seed for your lawn
Sow this much
30lb of seed
That is 6 lb per 1,000 sq ft: 2 bags of 25 lb.
Best time to sow: late summer to early fall.
The most common seeded lawn grass in the transition zone. Seed in late summer or early fall.
Seeding rates by grass
Rates for a new lawn from NC State Extension's Carolina Lawns guide. For overseeding into an existing lawn, use 25 to 50 percent less.
| Grass | New lawn, lb per 1,000 sq ft | When to sow |
|---|---|---|
| Tall fescue | 6 | late summer to early fall |
| Kentucky bluegrass | 1–2 | late summer to early fall |
| Bermudagrass | 1–2 | spring to early summer |
| Zoysiagrass | 1–2 | spring to early summer |
| Centipedegrass | 0.25–0.5 | spring to early summer |
| St. Augustinegrass | Not grown from seed | Plant sod or plugs |
Why the rates differ so much
Seed size. Kentucky bluegrass, bermudagrass and centipedegrass have tiny seeds, so a pound covers far more ground than a pound of large tall fescue seed. Stick to the rate for your grass, and follow the seed bag's label when it gives one.
How much grass seed do I need per 1,000 sq ft?
It depends on the grass. NC State Extension gives about 6 lb for tall fescue, 1 to 2 lb for Kentucky bluegrass, bermudagrass and zoysiagrass, and a quarter to half a pound for centipedegrass, for a new lawn.
How much seed do I need to overseed?
Less than for a new lawn. When seeding into an existing lawn, NC State suggests a rate 25 to 50 percent lower than the new-lawn rate.
Can I grow St. Augustinegrass from seed?
No. St. Augustinegrass seed is not available, so lawns are planted from sod or plugs. Hybrid bermudagrass is the same.
When is the best time to sow grass seed?
Cool-season grasses such as tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass are sown in late summer to early fall. Warm-season grasses such as bermudagrass, zoysiagrass and centipedegrass are sown in spring to early summer.