Best Grass Seed for Ohio – Reviews and Buyer’s Guide [March 2022]

Ohio covers zones 5b, 6a, and 6b within USDA climatic zoning, hence fewer kinds of grass thrive in this state. Ohio is characterized by cold winters of 15⁰F and mild summers with temperatures going up to 89⁰F. Rainfall is throughout the year with an annual mean of  38 inches.

This state exhibits prolonged growing periods lasting to 200 days between May to October. Winter experiences snowfall of 16, 35, and 90 inches across the region. Therefore, it is crucial to know the specific sod species that can thrive uninterruptedly in these unique climatic conditions. Read on to find out which are the top choices.

This article outlines the following:

• Top five turf grain for Ohio
• When to sow pasture grain in Ohio
• Sod categories in Ohio
• USDA zone map in Ohio and how it affects the choice of turf
• Soil specifications in Ohio

The Top Five Types of Grass Seed for Ohio

Parameter	Jonathan Green Dense Shade	Pennington Kentucky 31	Patten Seed Company	Pennington Smart Seed	Scotts EZ Seed
Grass-type	hot/coldseason	hot/cold season	warmseason	hot/coldseason	hot/cold season
Product type	Tall and Fine Fescue,Kentucky Bluegrass,perennial Ryegrass	Tall Fescue	Zenith Zoysia	Creeping and Chewings Red Fescue	Tall Fescue,Kentucky Bluegrass, andRyegrass
Irrigation requirements	Every 2 weeks	Every fortnight	Every week	weekly	Twice weekly
Size	25lb	25lb	2lb	20lb	20lb
Coverage area per pack(sq ft)	15,000	6,250	2,000	6,600	445

Jonathan Green Dense Shade – Best Grass Grain for Ohio

Dense Shade grass seed thrives in zones 5,6 & 7 at a pH range of 6.2 to 7.0. The grain should be sowed between August and October when the mean soil temperature is 55⁰F. A soil depth of ¼ inch and minimal sunlight exposure between 4-5 hours is prescribed.

This grain is medium-textured and provides a dense development generating an opulent yard. It is a consolidation of four cold season pastures, i.e., Tall and Fine Fescue, Kentucky Bluegrass, and Ryegrass with guaranteed adaptability in shaded sections.

Pros

• Constitutes four sod species
• Endures extreme soil conditions
• Has excellent durability
• Highly economical
• High shade tolerance

Cons

• Minimal sunlight exposure

Pennington Kentucky 31 – Best Grass Seed for Central Ohio

Pennington Kentucky 31 sprouts between 7-14 days within temperature ranges of 60⁰F-75⁰F. It is compatible in zones 5b,6a & 6b with a mean annual rainfall of 4.1-3.3 inches. It requires moist soil in the initial growth stages until it reaches three inches tall. It is planted at the beginning of spring and fall.

This grain provides a smooth establishment lawn, which supersedes the other traditional Tall Fescue kinds. It offers excellent adaptability, high durability, and exceptional drought resistance. However, it breaks down in shady areas.

Pros

• Excellent sunlight tolerance
• Great infection tolerance
• Short sprouting period
• Moderate coarse texture
• Moderate shade tolerance

Cons

• Requires full sunlight exposure between 4-8 hours

Patten Seed Company – Best Grass Seed for Southern Ohio

Patten Seed is compatible in zones 5 and 6, with temperatures rising to 60⁰F and above. It is convenient for sowing in April to August within the regions that receive an average rainfall of 3.1 inches annually. Grows on various soils with pH ranges from alkaline to acidic.  

This grain is medium-textured and offers a thick, dense growth that builds a healthy lawn, a characteristic that blocks off weeds. The grain has low fertility demands and excellent tolerance to extreme settings, although it can’t survive frost.

Pros

• Medium texture
• Grows in full or partial shade
• Thrive in a low soil potency area
• Blocks off weeds
•  Resistance to infections

Cons

• It is altered by frost

Pennington Smart Seed – Best Grass Seed for Northeast Ohio

Pennington Smart Seed is recommended for zones 6, 7, and northeastern part of zone 8 with humidities rising to 75%. Plant it at the onset of spring in the areas with 4-8 hours of sunlight exposure. The sowing depth does not surpass ¼ inches plus.

This seed is a superior cold season, multi-use sod grain suitable for sunny and medium shaded areas. Hence it withstands northeast climatic threats. The pasture can withstand considerable temperature variations.

Pros

• Moderate shade endurance
• Can withstand cold winters and hot summers
• High disease resistance
• Hybrid seed species

Cons

• Prolonged sunlight exposure for up to 8 hours

Scotts EZ Seed – Best Grass Seed for Western Ohio

Scotts EZ Seed thrives best within zones 5, 6, 7, and 8 of the USDA climatic zones for Ohio. Best for planting from March to June when temperatures vary from 60⁰F to 80⁰F. The seed also contains nitrogen-rich fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of 1-0-0.

It has an excellent absorption capacity guaranteeing spread-out. This grass germinates within 5-30 days with thorough irrigation from an early development phase.

Pros

• Provides constant release of nutrients
• Contains a fertilizer, mulch, and seed
• Can grow in any place
• Prevents seed wash
• Excellent adsorption capacity

Cons

• Extended sprouting span

Buyer’s Guide

When to Plant Grass Seed in Ohio?

The suitable time for sowing pasture seed is from August to the beginning of October. Planting requires soil temperature variations between 55⁰F to 65⁰F with air conditions from 60⁰F to 75⁰F. Steady rainfall at the beginning of fall facilitates quick sprouting and profound rooting.

USDA and Climate Zones in Ohio. How does This Affect the Grass to Choose?

Ohio covers zone 5b and 6, but most parts fall within area 6. This favors the development of cool-season lawn seed and implies the temperatures that can drop to as low as -10⁰F while rising to 89⁰F in summer. Hence, grasses that tolerate these conditions, such as perennial Ryegrass, Fine and Tall Fescue, and Kentucky Bluegrass should be considered.

Types of Grass Seed in Ohio

Due to challenging weather regimes, Ohio supports sprouting of limited sods. Pasture groups within this region are; perennial Ryegrass, Fine and Tall Fescue, and Kentucky Bluegrass. However, Kentucky bluegrass is the utmost dominant pasture grass.

What Are the Soil Properties to Bear in Mind while Planting Sod in Ohio?

Ohio has about 12 different kinds of soils, with Miamian soil being the most dominant type. Different soil categories exhibit distinct properties. Consider the following features; sort of the soil, drainage, mineral content, temperature, moisture content, potency, aeration, and freezing factor.

How to Prepare for Seeding/Overseeding Spring Lawns in Ohio?

Spring precise moment to seed your lawn. 

1. Clear the top vegetation 
2. Till up to 6 inches deep. 
3. Water the tiled land.
4. Apply fertilizer if necessary. 
5. Use an appropriate spreader to distribute the seeds evenly.
6. Apply some water at regularly scheduled intervals.

FAQ

Conclusion

Concerning the weather patterns of zones 5b, 6a, and 6b within Ohio, limited grass varieties like Tall and Fine Fescue, Kentucky Bluegrass, Zenith Zoysia, and perennial Ryegrass thrive comfortably. This review has outlined suitable turf seed to sow in this state, their unique characteristics, and conditions that favor their individual growth.