Even though a huge variety of seeds are available in the market, it is super hard to find the best grass seed for your lawn.
When choosing the seed that will turn your lawn into a green and adorable space, you need to consider a few factors.
For instance, to get the best grass seed for Ontario, you need to consider the climate, soil characteristics, sun exposure, and foot traffic.
In this blog, we will discuss all the factors that promote a healthy lawn to help you select the best grass seed in Canada.
Learn More: What is Overseeding: A Complete Guide on How to Overseed a Lawn
How To Choose the Best Grass Seed?
The following are the factors that will help you select the best grass seed:
1. Look For Cold Regions Grass
After the summer, some grasses fall dormant, and others disappear completely.
Tall fescue, bent, and Bermuda grass are among the grass species that thrive in cold climates, whereas rye and zoysia grass are suitable for warm climates.
Some grass varieties thrive in temperate climates, while others can withstand saline environments such as those found close to seas and oceans.
Specifically, to choose the best grass seed for colder regions like Canada, you will have to look for the ones that are tolerant to cold.
2. Staying on a Budget
Another aspect that influences the types of grass seed you select is the amount of money you have or would like to spend on the lawn. It may be possible the best grass seed that would work to give the desired lawn will be out of budget.
Some varieties grow at varying rates, and some are more expensive than others.
3. Foot Traffic
The best grass seed you need for your lawn also depends on how it will be used, as certain varieties may tolerate more traffic than others.
When there is traffic, people step on the grass while they play soccer, exercise, play with their pets, and engage in many other activities.
Any of these activities will undoubtedly damage the grass. You should consider choosing a variety that can withstand all of these activities and yet have a lush, green appearance.
4. Sun Exposure
Another factor to consider when selecting the best grass seed is the amount of sunlight hitting your lawn.
Certain varieties of grass thrive in shaded areas, while others do not.
Best Grass Seed For Ontario: Top 3 Seeds to Choose From
These are the types of best grass seed for Ontario:
1. Kentucky Bluegrass
Due to its ease of spreading, Kentucky bluegrass has a significant advantage over other cool-season grasses. And for many, it is the best grass seed.
Rhizomes, or horizontally growing stems that grow just below the surface of the earth, are how it spreads.
Every few centimetres over their whole length, each of these rhizomes develops a node.
From each of these nodes, a new blade of grass may emerge.
Of all the cool-season grasses, Kentucky bluegrass is the best grass seed for Ontario as it is the most resilient to high temperatures.
The cold wave that may have an impact on the other types of grasses may not harm these grasses.
Kentucky Bluegrass can also endure hot spells that can happen in Canada during the summer.
That aside, this is the best grass seed due to its tolerance to diseases, such as leaf spot and powdery mildew.
On the other hand, there are precautions you can take in the unlikely case of a disease outbreak. A small amount of nitrogen fertilizer applied to the soil can help eradicate rust.
The greatest places to use Kentucky Bluegrass are those with full sun.
If you’re establishing a new lawn from seed, be ready to water it lightly every day for a month to ensure proper establishment and germination.
The best grass seed for sod-established lawns is typically Kentucky Bluegrass.
Nevertheless, in a shaded backyard, this sod won’t support Kentucky Bluegrass growth.
If you want to learn how to use the best grass seed, here is a comprehensive blog defining all the steps.
2. Perennial Ryegrass
If you want the best grass seed that is resilient to wear and tear, it is best suited for areas with high foot activity.
Ryegrass is the kind that will last you for many years. Regardless of whether you have young children who enjoy playing in the garden or you want a dog-friendly backyard, this is the best grass seed.
Since ryegrass can recover and self-heal over time, it’s the best grass seed option for turfing sports fields like rugby pitches and football fields.
The ability of ryegrass to withstand a broad variety of temperatures and climatic conditions is one of its notable features.
It endures through the seasons and keeps its excellent quality and rich green colour all year long.
Unlike other seed mixes, it may germinate in temperatures as low as 5°C throughout the winter. It also does better in locations with shade.
Because of ryegrass’ quick germination, effects can be seen in as little as a week, and the grass grows while maintaining a rich, opulent appearance.
While some grass species may take several weeks to sprout, ryegrass often does so a few days after sowing.
Additionally, ryegrass has a dense, fibrous root system that improves soil health, giving your lawn a strong foundation.
That aside, it grows well in a variety of soil types, temperatures, and grass types, and it easily integrates into existing lawns.
It is a versatile seed that works well for overseeding or seeding new lawns because it blends well with various plant and grass species.
If your lawn has bare spots due to brown patches or any other reason, it is the best grass seed for Ontario to regrow the lawn.
3. Fescue
A family of cool-season turfgrasses that can withstand heat, cold, and drought is called fescue.
This is the last one in our best grass seed for Ontario list as it works well in regions that have both warm and cool seasons.
Since fescue’s deep roots are good at extracting nutrients from the soil, it usually needs less water and fertilizer than other cool-season grasses.
Here are the most common varieties of the best grass seed of fescue grass:
Types of Fescue
Tall Fescue
With its distinctive bunch-forming growth pattern, tall fescue is a low-maintenance grass that rarely needs to be dethatched.
Kentucky 31 fescue is a kind of tall fescue that is popular in lawns because of its colourful appearance.
Because it is resilient and tolerant of shade, tall fescue grass is employed in high-traffic locations like baseball fields and commercial sites.
Although fall is the best time to sow cool grass seeds, you can use it in spring as well.
Because of its extensive root structure, this kind of fescue can withstand dry spells.
Related Blog: Fall Lawn Care: Complete Checklist for a Well-Maintained Lawn
Climbing Red Fescue
This is the best grass seed for shaded lawns with well-drained soil. It requires more moisture than hard and sheep fescue. It is a fine texture, dark green grass that combines beautifully with Kentucky bluegrass.
Hard Fescue
It is a low-maintenance grass that survives winter hardiness, drought, and heat. This is the best grass seed if you want medium-tall grass. This slow-growing grass is also perfect for erosion and weed control.
Chewings Fescue
Again, this best grass seed can withstand the toughest weather conditions. This soft grass can grow on sandy and low-fertility soil.
Sheep Fescue: It is the best grass seed to be used as a ground cover. It is an excellent choice for residential areas as it controls weed invasion and requires minimal upkeep.
Top 5 Factors To Consider When Getting The Best Grass Seed For Ontario
When purchasing the best grass seed for Ontario, bear the following points in mind:
1. Select the Right Species
This is a crucial aspect of purchasing a grass seed for your lawn. Some grasses are better in the sun than in the shade, while some are able to grow in both.
Before making a purchase, make sure that the soil requirements are fulfilled. You can do that by lab testing a sample of soil present in your lawn.
Also, for optimal growth of the grass, make sure you use the right steps when planting the seeds.
Certain grasses need relatively little nitrogen fertilizer, while others need considerable amounts. So, select the best fertilizer that promotes maximum growth of the grass.
Generally, grass is offered in mixed species, so you can choose a blend of species that best suits the requirements of your location.
2. Read the Label
Knowing what your grass seed package says will result in a lush, green lawn that is not only well-looking but also a wise investment.
Search for the names of varieties before you buy the seed bags. Occasionally, seeds are marketed as a variety not stated. Even if the price of this kind of seed may be enticing, you shouldn’t buy it.
These seeds have varieties that are old and don’t adapt well to your lawn. Labels for grass seeds may contain a combination of percentages, figures, etc.
Choose wisely by understanding these terminologies when it comes to choosing the grass seed or hiring professionals to lay the seed down for you.
3. Select the Best Overseeding Grass Seed
Finding the ideal grass for overseeding shouldn’t be too difficult, but you must make sure it will blend in with your current lawn.
Furthermore, make sure you choose cool-season grasses in colder locations and warm-season grasses in warmer climates.
Although overseeding usually requires less monitoring and management than reseeding, it is still important to take into account the new grass seed’s maintenance needs.
4. Consider the Climate and Sun Exposure
While some grass seeds thrive in the shadow, others may withstand more sun exposure. If you have any barren places, you should try to determine whether this is the cause of the problem.
5. Size of the Lawn
To ensure you plant the right amount of seed, estimate the approximate square footage of your yard.
FAQs
Which grass seed is most effective in shaded areas?
Kentucky bluegrass and fine fescue are common choices for shaded lawns. You can also seek for mixes of grass seed meant especially for places with shade.
Which grass seed is ideal for places with lots of traffic?
One of the perennial ryegrass’s best-known qualities is its resilience to constant foot activity. For locations that have a lot of activity, look for grass seed mixtures with a high percentage of perennial ryegrass.
When is the ideal time to sow grass seed in Ontario?
In Ontario, late April to mid-May or early fall (mid-August to mid-September) are the ideal times to plant grass seed. The best conditions for seed germination and establishment are present throughout these periods.
In Conclusion
This is everything you need to know when choosing the best grass seed for Ontario.
Kentucky Bluegrass, Fescue, and Perennial Ryegrass are your options. However, it’s advisable to identify the grass you already have and work your way forward.
Since a lawn should persist for many years, a slight increase in establishment costs will ultimately be worthwhile. So, don’t fall for cheap grass seeds.
Also, don’t forget to take into account factors like your yard’s location, temperature, and potential problems like sun exposure or foot traffic.
Once you’ve selected the grass species you want to employ, you should do adequate research. Or, reach out to Falcons Landscaping for assistance.