Seeding rates by grass type
Rates are pounds of seed per 1,000 square feet and differ a little between universities because climate, seed quality and sowing method differ. The ranges below are quoted from the extension pages listed at the bottom; where two sources disagree, both are shown.
- Kentucky bluegrass: 2 to 3 lb (Ohio State, Kansas State, Maryland). Kentucky gives 2 lb of pure live seed.
- Tall fescue: 8 to 10 lb (Ohio State), 6 to 8 lb (Kansas State, Maryland), 6 lb (Kentucky).
- Perennial ryegrass: 7 to 8 lb (Ohio State).
- Fine fescue: 3 to 6 lb (Ohio State), 4 to 6 lb (Maryland).
- Hulled bermudagrass seed: about 1 lb; coated seed about 2 lb (University of Kentucky). Maryland also gives about 1 lb for bermudagrass and zoysia.
- We did not find an official overseeding rate for ryegrass, fine fescue or bermudagrass, so use the seed label for those.
How to work out your amount
Measure the area to be seeded in square feet, divide by 1,000, then multiply by the pounds per 1,000 square feet for your grass.
Worked example: a 5,000 square foot lawn of tall fescue. That is 5 thousand square feet. At 6 to 8 lb per 1,000 square feet (Kansas State, Maryland) you need 30 to 40 lb of seed. At Ohio State's 8 to 10 lb you need 40 to 50 lb.
Overseeding the same lawn at about half the new-lawn rate (Kansas State) is about 15 to 20 lb at the 6 to 8 lb rate.
Bag math: a bag covers its weight divided by the rate, times 1,000. A 5 lb bag at 8 lb per 1,000 square feet covers 5 / 8 x 1,000 = 625 square feet. This is our arithmetic, not a figure from a seed company, so check the coverage printed on your bag.
When to sow
The University of Maryland gives mid August to mid October for cool-season grasses such as tall fescue and bluegrass, and mid May into June for warm-season grasses such as bermudagrass. The University of Kentucky says late-summer bermudagrass seedings seldom survive winter. Kansas State suggests September for tall fescue overseeding in its region. Local timing varies, so check your own state extension office.
Starter fertilizer and soil
Maryland notes that starter fertilizers containing phosphorus can be used on new lawns. Follow the bag rate, or a soil test, as Kansas State advises. Seed needs good contact with loosened soil, and a thin layer of topsoil helps on poor ground: use the topsoil calculator to see how much.
Common mistakes
- Using the same rate for every grass. A rate right for bluegrass would be far too light for tall fescue.
- Sowing at the wrong time of year for your grass type.
- Spreading from a bag without checking whether the weight is pure live seed or coated seed.
- Not measuring the area. Guessing the lawn size is the biggest source of error.
Common topsoil project sizes
Each row uses the depth shown and includes 10% extra for waste. Change any number in the topsoil calculator.
| Project | Depth | Cubic yards | Tons (typical) | 0.75 cu ft bags |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10x10 lawn patch | 4 in | 1.36 | 1.49 | 49 |
| 20x20 lawn | 4 in | 5.43 | 5.98 | order bulk |
| 20x30 lawn | 4 in | 8.15 | 8.96 | order bulk |
| 30x30 lawn | 4 in | 12.22 | 13.44 | order bulk |
| 4x4 raised bed | 12 in | 0.65 | 0.72 | 24 |
| 4x8 raised bed | 12 in | 1.30 | 1.43 | 47 |
| 4x12 raised bed | 12 in | 1.96 | 2.15 | 71 |
| 10x10 new lawn | 6 in | 2.04 | 2.24 | 74 |
Frequently asked questions
How much grass seed per square foot?
Divide the per 1,000 square foot rates by 1,000. Tall fescue at 6 to 8 lb per 1,000 square feet is 0.006 to 0.008 lb, about 0.1 to 0.13 oz, per square foot.
Can I use more seed to get a thicker lawn?
Extra seed does not reliably help. Extension services give a range per grass, and sowing well above it makes seedlings compete. Stay inside the range for your grass type.
How much seed to overseed a lawn?
Kansas State gives about half the new-lawn rate for tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass, so 3 to 4 lb of tall fescue and 1 to 1.5 lb of bluegrass per 1,000 square feet.
Sources: Ohio State University Buckeye Turf: Turfgrass establishment series, species and cultivar selection, Kansas State University: Fall turfgrass recommendations and tips, University of Maryland Extension: Starting a new lawn, University of Kentucky Extension: AGR-52, University of Kentucky Turf: Seeded bermudagrass. Read 7 November 2026.
What you will also need for topsoil
Tools and supplies that go with this job. These are Amazon search links, so you can compare options and current prices there.
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