Black Beauty® Ultra Grass Seed
Starting at
$7.99
- Our most popular grass seed mixture
- Fast establishment in newly seeded lawns, and fills in bare spots quickly in thin lawns
- Grows a lush dark-green lawn in full sun to partial shade growing conditions
- Excellent heat and disease resistance
- Description
- Directions
- Specifications
- Spreader Settings
- Reviews (387)
Jonathan Green Black Beauty® Ultra Grass Seed mixture combines our most elite Black Beauty® tall fescue seed varieties with our best Kentucky bluegrass to fill in bare spots quickly and invigorate worn-out lawns. Black Beauty® Ultra also contains premium perennial ryegrass for fast germination and wear tolerance in lawns that experience heavy traffic. The Black Beauty® Ultra seed grows naturally dark-green turf and is most similar to the Black Beauty® seed mixtures that sod growers purchase from us to grow high-quality sod within one year. This seed germinates in 7 – 14 days.
For the best results, follow the directions below for establishing a new lawn or overseeding an existing one.
Prepare:
- Mow – Mow the lawn at the lowest mower setting before seeding to allow the seed to reach the soil.
- Rake – Rake over the existing grass with a metal rake to remove the thatch layer and any debris to loosen the soil. Add additional topsoil to fill in holes and level the ground.
- Check soil pH level – Have a soil test taken to check your soil’s pH level. Optimum soil pH should be between 6.2 to 7.0. For a pH below 6.2 use Jonathan Green Mag-I-Cal® Plus for Lawns in Acidic & Hard Soil to rapidly increase pH. If the pH is above 7.0 use Mag-I-Cal® Plus for Lawns in Alkaline & Hard Soil to rapidly decrease the soil pH.
Seed:
- When to apply – The best time to apply seed is mid-August to mid-October while the ground is still warm and the nights are cooler. Mid-March through mid-May is the next best time to plant when the soil temperature reaches 55º+ Fahrenheit and the temperature of the air stays consistently warm.
- Spread seed – Apply half of the seed with a rotary spreader in one direction (north to south) and the remainder in the opposite direction (east to west). It is beneficial to spread a new seeding fertilizer that is high in phosphorus at this time as well.
- Rake seed – Rake lightly into the ground with a metal rake. Walk with light, even footsteps on the seedbed to firm the soil around the seed. Do not bury the seed more than ¼ of an inch deep.
Maintain:
- Water – For best germination, water daily to keep the seedbed moist. Continue watering regularly for a few weeks until the grass plants reach a height of 2 – 2.5 inches.
- Mow – Begin mowing when the new grass has reached a height of 3 – 4 inches. Make sure the mower has sharp blades. Be careful not to scalp the lawn, low mowing will stress the root system and encourage the growth of weeds.
Coverage:
- 1 lb Bag
- Overseeding – Seeds up to 400 sq. ft.
- New Lawns – Seeds up to 200 sq. ft.
- 3 lb Bag
- Overseeding – Seeds up to 1,200 sq. ft.
- New Lawns – Seeds up to 600 sq. ft.
- 7 lb Bag
- Overseeding – Seeds up to 2,800 sq. ft.
- New Lawns – Seeds up to 1,400 sq. ft.
- 25 lb Bag
- Overseeding – Seeds up to 10,000 sq. ft.
- New Lawns – Seeds up to 5,000 sq. ft.
- 50 lb Bag
- Overseeding – Seeds up to 20,000 sq. ft.
- New Lawns – Seeds up to 10,000 sq. ft.
Grass Type: Tall Fescues, Kentucky Bluegrass, & Perennial Ryegrass
Grass Color: Dark green
Recommended Planting Months: For cool-season grasses
- Mid-August through mid-October
- Mid-March through mid-May
Sun Tolerance: Excellent
Shade Tolerance: Excellent
Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade (4 – 8 hours of sun)
Drought Tolerance: Excellent
Insect & Disease Resistance: Good
High Traffic Tolerance: Good
Planting Depth: ¼ inches
Germination Time: 7 – 14 days
The spreader settings listed are approximate. Spreader condition, rate of walk, and humidity are just some of the variables that can affect the rate of application. Please refer to the product label link on this page, or the back of the bag, for further details along with application rates and precautionary statements. You may need to adjust settings for proper coverage if circumstances described on the label are applicable. In all cases, the user should read and follow label instructions before applying any product, and assumes all responsibility when using this spreader settings tool.
My lawn looks amazing… my neighbors are asking me what am/did I use on my lawn and I am telling them all about Jonathan Green Black Beauty.
Easy to grow and looks awesome. I live in Ohio and already mowed on March 29th. I use Black Bueaty Ultra!!
Ultra Black Beauty is the Rolls-Royce of grass seed! I watched the grass grow! And, was amazed at how stunning it was—I vow not to purchase any other seed. The quality of the seed is second to none and hands-down, one of the greatest investments I’ve made. The curb appeal is everything!
I am beyond impressed with my lawn! My lawn started as a poorly neglected yard of weeds and bare spots. After coming across several different photos/reviews of Black Beauty Ultra on Instagram and YouTube, I knew I had to do my research. After methodically planning my overseed/renovation, I chose Black Beauty Ultra. Now, 5 weeks in, my yard is greener and thicker than ever. It’s still a work in progress, but thanks to Jonathan Green Black Beauty Ultra (and Mag I Cal Plus), my yard is on its way to being great!
Well I had written earlier that I planned to overseed in the fal. Well I did and wow my lawn is grear. I used this seed in conjunction with Shady nooks under the shaded areas. I just added my first dose of Winter Survival this week. Depending on the when we get our first frost I plan to do a second those towards the end of November. This is the first year I have really concentrated on my lawn and I am pleased with the results. I am following the JG four step program to the letter. Next year Gods wiling I will be able to give the results. So good so far.
Dominating the neighborhood with my JG ultra lawn!
This is the first time I have used this product after conducting my own research. I had used other brands of seeds with mixed results. Anyway i bought this product to reseed some large patches in my lawn which developed due to amongst other things heavy traffic. I reseed and added starter fertilizer with top soil and raked it in. I made sure I water it twice a day on non rainy days but not too much to disturb the area. After 21 days I have full germination so much so that my wife suggests that I should reseed the whole lawn. I am planning to do that in the fall. The best seeds I have used so far. Jonathan Green I am sold.
This was the 1st year that I have used this grass seed and boy am I impressed. I reseeded in October and this spring, omg! My lawn is gorgeous! This grass is worth every penny. I finally have a thick lawn. Thank You guys at Johnathan Green.
I have used Blue Panther and I was impressed. I am looking into using Black Beauty Ultra this time around and in reviewing the product fact sheet, I am finding that it is too general. Can you please advise what percentage of each grass type this blend contains and what varities of each grass type are in the blend? I just want to make an informed decision. Thank you
JG Response: The percentages and varieties vary from lot to lot. More specific information can be found on the analysis tag on the back of each grass seed bag.
Please say what part of the country you live in. This will help others who wish to try the seed to know what to expect. Thanks, Liz from Seattle
JG Response: Thanks for your suggestion Liz! Please see our “Why Choose Black Beauty Grass” page for our usage map: https://jonathangreen.com/seeding-with-black-beauty-grass-seed.html
I emailed the customer service folks and they told me to loosen the soil up with Love Your Soil in August and plant grass seed in September. There is a 4 foot area next to my driveway where I\’ve had trouble growing grass. This combo worked and I now have grass all the way to the pavers. I\’m very happy with the results.
I decided to buy Ultra Beauty for my back yard renovation since a local store had it available. I’ve done a lot of seeding and renovation using other brands and was always successful. My backyard, about 10,000sq ft and almost perfect rectangle had the perfect watering set up. I had terrible germination… maybe 60% in some areas and well over a month now. Now I’m headed into winter with a dog and what is going to be a lot of mud spots. Wish I had a better experience, especially considering the high end price.
JG response: Please email us us through our FAQ site for help. You don’t say what state you are in but if your soil temperatures were not at 57° or higher at the time of seeding, this can hinder germination as tall fescue takes about 14 days to germinate when soil temps are at 57°. Mid-September is a better time to seed then Mid-October for this reason.
I put this down in a few bare spots i had. 7 days later it was already sprouting. And didn’t get a lot of water. 3 weeks after it was filled in and no more bare spot.
First time I’ve used this grass seed. It is coming in nicely and has a great color. Can’t wait to see what it looks like when it is all filled in.
At first I was impressed, but now several months later, I am not impressed at all. I wanted a dark green lush lawn and used the seed to fill in some really bare spots. Most of it has died.
JG response: If the seed grew well but later dies, it is not the seed. There are many outside factors can can kill grass such as fungus and insects. Please email us through our FAQ section for help troubleshooting what happened.
The color of this grass is unbelievable! so dark green and thick. Will be my go to from now on.
September 6, 2021, mowed (low), thatched, and aerated an existing lawn before applying Black Beauty Ultra with Green-Up Fertilizer for Seeding & Sodding…watered regularly…the grass seed has not germinated…a waste of time and money!
JG Response – Please email us through our FAQ site so we can troubleshoot with you.
Over-seeded in spring against all advice from the “experts”. Proved them wrong. This grass seed works amazing. Just follow the directions and water, water, water and you will have a great looking yard. Did have quite a bit of crabgrass later into the summer but that has nothing to do with this seed. I just didn’t properly prepare the yard last fall/winter. You will not be disappointed if you follow the directions.
This seed is well worth the investment! A friend of mine recommended it as the best seed ever, and man was she right! After putting in a patio we needed to reseed some portions of our lawn, and you can SEE and FEEL the difference between this grass and the original grass. What a game changer!
I heard about this grass seed on You Tube, and boy were they right right about this seed. I over seeded my lawn without doing mechanical aeration, instead I have been using Air 8 and Rgs from Green County Fertilizer Co for the last 3 years which has taken care of my compaction problem. I cut the lawn low in September over seeded and watered every day for two weeks. Low and behold this grass seed came in thick and beautiful this year 2021. Couldn’t be happier with the results I have got. Will do the same thing this year without mechanical aeration. Love this seed!
Put down last spring to fill in bare spots on my lawn. It never came in very thick, despite appropriate watering and fertilizer. After the winter, I have a lot of dead grass. We live in a northern climate, but don’t think that’s the issue. Good marketing, poor performance.
JG Response: Please email us through our FAQ section so we can troubleshoot with you.
Detached and aerated both front and back yards. The guy who aerated had a machine that dropped grass seed as he did it. It’s January here in PA and my lawn is a dark green like it has never been before. Impressed. I seeded a bare spot in late october/early november hoping it was not too late. Nope. Came in nice and full in that spot. Looking forward to the spring green time. I will try all JG products now. I use to be a Scotts man, 100%. Not anymore.
I used the ultra grass seed to do a heavy overseed of my existing lawn. I put is down at the end of September and by the end of October my grass was deep green, very thick, and lush. I am constantly receiving compliments from neighbors.
Big fan of this grass, green shoots came in quickly and filled out nicely as the grass continued to germinate. Applied in early Sept with no noticeable weed content. For best results get a proper soil sample before seeding so that you can select a proper fertilizer/lime/ etc to go along with it when seeding / overseeding.
Initial grass came in good after a week but so did all the crab grass. Must have gotten a bad mix. Pulled out all crab grass added fresh garden soil reseeded, more crab grass. Have had better luck with JG in the past, not this year, very disappointed won’t buy again.
JG Response: Crabgrass is not a contaminant in our grass seed production fields. When you disturb the soil (as you should) by raking to prepare a good seed bed for seeding, you bring crabgrass seeds to the surface where they will germinate, especially if you seeded in July. September is a better time to seed because crabgrass germination is less likely as soil temperatures begin to cool. For further assistance, email through our FAQ page.
I did a complete lawn renovation and seeded with Black Beauty Ultra. The results are outstanding! The ryegrass germinated in 7 days and the tall fescue germinated in 14 days. A year later I have the only green lawn on the block in this July heat. If someone ever has an issue growing this seed I can guarantee it’s an environmental issue (weather, heat, poor soil, etc) not a seed issue.
I threw down some Scott’s, and well it came in really patchy ? Not impressed.. so I saw by all the reviews that ultra was the seed to try. And wow ! Filled in with dark thick grass in a very short time. Will be buying more ultra this fall.. Great seed and great Dark grass.
Spent Almost $90.00 With hopes of filling in some bare spots with nice grass. I dethatched the lawn & raked followed all instructions. After 3 weeks none of the seed germinated, Tried again after a month, 2 weeks later & still nothing! I guess I will have to go back to Scotts or Pennington. With so many good reviews I really don\’t understand did I get a bad bag of seed? because I have gotten other brands to grow without issues.
JG response: Please email us from the link in the FAQ section so we can trouble shoot with you.
I bought a bag of Ultra for $80 with high expectations. Unfortunately nothing germinated. I followed instructions, watered,etc. I raked it after three weeks and found seed but no grass. I bought another bag of Ultra from my local hardware store thinking that what I bought online was somehow defective. The same results with half the bag. Nothing germinated. I’m very disappointed. Will return to Scott’s brand after spending $160 on Jonathan Green☹️.
JG response – Please email us through our FAQ page. We will help you out.
We couldnt get any grass to grow at our home. So I ordered this and look how nice it turned out. Lol, now everybody wants some.
Great product. Make sure to use plenty.
Used it to over seed my lawn, because of the warm weather this year it has started to sprout. Germination looks good can’t wait till spring
Good germination, nice dark green grass, does take a few weeks to get going. Grass seed was fresh, and as far as I can tell, it all germinated.
Used as a fall overseed, but my lawn was so bare from neglect – it was almost a do over. I spread at overseeding rates. Coverage was excellent regardless of being spread a bit thin. Lawn is like a carpet now – and I’ve gotten more than a few compliments. I’m looking forward to how it looks in the spring.
To be applied in the Spring
Jonathon Green is my favorite brand for a great lawn. Had my landscaper put it diwn instead of his seed.
Quick delivery
Great
Best seed on the market
Great product, I reseeded my Lawn and it was perfect.
Strongly recommended product.
Nice start ! Late season planting, but this is Florida.
I can’t wait to see how it does in the spring.
Grass grows beautifully, Try it you would like it, just do it what do you have to lose if you need to grow grass.
the above statement is the results in my case. Great product
I didn’t use it yet.
Scotts lawnservice came by and said we had the best year in the area. The grass does very well in cooler weather. It struggled in the summer time. I purchased a second bag for overseeding.
Best deal available. Seed was fresh. Analysis was done a few months ago.
Follow instructions and won’t be disappointed. So happy with this product. My lawn feels soft and fluffy compared to the bermuda grass that had overtaken my lawn. Killed it and started from scratch. 6 lbs for this small area. Paid off!
The bag I received had a great printed on bag date. The effect was noticeable in the yard with significant Fall grass growth. Thanks.
I won’t really know until spring. So far it seems good.
I live in Oregon, and I’ve been struggling to have the perfect lawn. I planted this seed during the fall. I am hoping that in the spring it will come up nicely, and I may add more at that time as well. They have a very nice video that sold me on the product, and I hope that the grass will do as well as in the video. Sheesh, we live in Oregon, the grass capital! You’d think that I could grow grass!!
Great results
Came as expected. Followed instructions on the bag. Grass came in thick and dark green!
Frequently Bought Together
-
Love Your Soil®
Soil food that stimulates microbes to build topsoil while loosening hard, compacted soil. -
Mag-I-Cal® for Lawns in Acidic Soil
Concentrated calcium soil food with humates that rapidly raises & balances soil pH.