Grass Seed

Jonathan Green specializes in cool-season grass seed mixtures that grow exceptionally well in many conditions, including sunny, shady, and heavily trafficked lawns.

Our signature Black Beauty grass seed was created by cross-breeding two unique species of tall fescue grasses. The first was found in the frigid climate of northern Michigan, possesses a naturally dark green color, and can withstand freezing temperatures. The second was found on the edge of the Sahara Desert, with the ability to grow roots up to four feet deep, allowing it to suck up moisture from deep within the earth. It also has a waxy coating on the grass blade like the skin of a cactus that protects it from high heat and drought. We cross-bred these two types of grass to produce our one-of-a-kind, Black Beauty tall fescue grass seed.

To learn more about why our grass seed is a favorite among homeowners and professionals alike, visit our Why Choose Black Beauty Grass Seed page!

Which Grass Seed Should I Buy?

With all of the grass seed varieties available, you may wonder which one is truly right for you. Here are a few questions you can answer to help guide you through the process:

• Do you live in an area ideal for growing cool-season or warm-season grass?
• Does the area receive full sun, shade, or partial shade?
• Does the area receive frequent heavy traffic? (ex. Dogs and/or kids playing or running on the lawn)?

Once you’ve answered these questions, you can narrow down your lawn seed options and determine which grass type is best suited for you and your individual needs.

Types of Grass Seed

Before you buy grass seed, it’s important to know the different varieties of grasses. Grass seed varieties fall under two categories: cool-season grasses and warm-season grasses.

Cool-season grass types are grasses that grow best in the colder weather during fall and spring and go dormant between late fall and winter. They are primarily found in areas of the northern half of the United States. Warm-season grass types are grasses that grow best in the summer and go dormant in early fall. They are typically found in southern states that experience long, hot summers and high average temperatures above 75°F.

Cool Season Grass

Tall Fescue

Tall fescue is a popular cool-season grass variety due to its rich, dark green color, adaptability, and wear and tear tolerance. It is also known for its deep root system and ability to withstand shade.

Tall fescue can grow in a variety of climates, making it a top choice among homeowners in the northern half of the United States. Jonathan Green includes our signature Black Beauty tall fescue in many of our grass seed mixtures. Black Beauty is naturally dark green and grows upright and uniform. It’s often compared in appearance to Kentucky bluegrass but is preferred for its ability to withstand heat and drought.

Kentucky Bluegrass

Kentucky bluegrass is best known for its durability and gorgeous, blue-green hue. These qualities have made it popular among sod growers. It has a rhizome structure that allows it to grow horizontally and can self-repair patches and bare spots making it ideal for sports fields. Kentucky bluegrass requires more water and has a longer germination time than other cool-season grasses.

Visit our Kentucky Bluegrass resource page to learn more about this cool-season grass type!

Perennial Ryegrass

Perennial ryegrass is valued for its fine grass blades and ability to germinate and establish a lawn quickly. This type of grass seed is used to plant both temporary lawns in southern states and permanent lawns in northern parts of the United States, as it performs well in areas with moderate summers and colder winters.

Perennial ryegrass has several remarkable qualities, including high wear tolerance, an ability to withstand light shade, and the natural ability to suppress other plants, like pesky lawn weeds. Although it spreads slowly due to its bunch-forming growth habit, it creates a beautiful lawn when paired with other grass types, like in many of our Black Beauty mixtures.

Warm Season Grass

Jonathan Green does not sell warm-season grass seed, however, we’ve included information below for you to learn more about the different types of warm-season grasses and their unique characteristics.

Bermudagrass

Bermudagrass is preferred by many southern homeowners for its ability to quickly fill bare spots, endure high traffic, and withstand heat and drought. It performs best south of the transition zone with full sun.

To learn more about this durable warm-season grass, visit our Bermudagrass resource page!

Zoysia

Zoysia grass is a low-maintenance, warm-season grass most notable for its heat and drought tolerance, dense growth, and ability to withstand heavy foot traffic. Even though it is a warm-season grass, it is known to have decent cold tolerance. Similar to Kentucky bluegrass, this grass seed spreads by rhizomes and produces a beautiful, emerald hue.

It is most suitable for both the southern part of the United States and areas near the transition zone and performs best in areas with full sun. You may want to plant zoysia grass if you want a great-looking lawn without much work, as this grass won’t require large amounts of fertilizer or water to maintain it. Like most warm-season grasses, however, it will go dormant in the winter and turn brown.

Centipede grass

Centipede grass is another low-maintenance, warm-season grass known for its heat and shade tolerance. It has wider stems than other warm-season grasses, like bermudagrass and zoysia grass. Centipede grass grows best in the southeastern area of the United States, specifically the Carolinas and parts of the Texas Gulf Coast.

It has great heat tolerance and requires less frequent mowing and dethatching. Furthermore, this type of grass seed doesn’t experience a true winter dormancy period and will maintain its green color in some climates. However, it has little to no drought tolerance and won’t hold up against heavy foot traffic. It also has strict soil and climate requirements, as it prefers sandy, acidic soils.

The Main Takeaway

We know that lawn care is not one-size-fits-all. That’s why we provide a wide range of grass seed options to cater to your unique needs. We believe selecting grass seed should be a seamless process so you can start growing the lawn of your dreams as soon as possible!

Explore our wide selection of lawn seed mixtures today and buy grass seed that’s a perfect fit for your lawn.