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

Massachusetts is a sultry region attributed with hot summers as well as chilly winters, July spotting averagely high inversions above 80°F. Colder winters are experienced within the inland vicinity with temperatures of 0°F but get milder towards the seaside. This state receives adequate rainfall of about 43 inches which is uniformly dispensed annually. However, periods of winter are slightly wetter.

For lawn owners in Massachusetts, knowledge of weather patterns in their region and the zone in which they reside is crucial in selecting the best sod for their greenswards. This state has zones 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a and 7b. So for lawn owners residing in zone 7b, a good example of sod seed that would survive would be Zenith Zoysia for its tolerance towards the extreme heat of the coastal region. This text discusses:

1. The Top Five Types of Grass Seed for Massachusetts
2. When to seed grass in Massachusetts
3. Can weed killer be used on grass seed
4. Varieties of grasses in Massachusetts
5. Clod factors to consider before seeding in Massachusetts

The Top Five Types of Grass Seed for Massachusetts

Parameter	Pennington Kentucky 31	OutsideprideCreeping Red Fescue	Scotts EZ Seed	Jonathan Green Ultra	Patten Seed Company
Types of Grass Incl.	Tall Fescue	Bent Grass, Fescue, Bermuda Grass, and Bluegrass	Ryegrass, Fescue and Kentucky Bluegrass	Perennial Ryegrass, Tall Fescues, and Kentucky Bluegrass	Zenith Zoysia
Size	25 lb	10 lb	20 lb	7 lb	2 lb
Area coverage in square feet	6,250	2,000	445	2,800	2,000
Germination period	14 days	7-14 days	7 days	7-14 days	14-21 days
Favorable zones for growth	5a and 5b	5b and 6a	6b and 7a	6b, 7a and 7b	7a and 7b

Pennington Kentucky 31 – Best Grass Seed for Western Massachusetts 

This package establishes a greensward with a sod having drought-tolerant capabilities accompanied by sufferance to heat compared to its tall fescue counterparts. It is durable under foot traffic and has protection from the fungus.

This sod is best seeded in early spring when temperatures of 40°F and precipitation of 4” to 6” are dominant. It flourishes in soils with pH values ranging from 6-7. It ought to be lightly raked to ¼ depth and mowed once 3” tall. Its suitability for zones 5a and 5b. However, it is not well accommodated in shady areas.

Pros

• Easily established
• Heat and drought tolerant

Cons 

• Low performance in lowly insolated conditions

Outsidepride Creeping Red Fescue – Best Grass Seed for Central Massachusetts

Creeping Red Fescue is well adapted to cool climatic surroundings. It flourishes in zones 5b and 6a. It fills bare spots courtesy of its unique property of spreading rhizomes. Its suitability for a well-drained clod with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5 with warm temperatures between 55°F and 65°F is commendable.

Its growth is favored by average rainfall above 18 inches. Creeping Red Fescue is most active during spring (March) and early fall (September), when they are best seeded. It also grows well in both sun and shady vicinities.

Pros

• Fills bare spots
• Flourishes in both sun and shady vicinities

Cons

• Withers in intense sun

Scotts EZ Seed – Best Grass for Eastern Massachusetts

This triple package guarantees growth in full sun, shady areas, and even on slopes. Its protectant wards off attacks from detrimental diseases and are fitted with a fertilizer that promotes growth and development. It is durable since it can grow without wear on lawns with high traffic.

It is best seeded during times of early summer and spring between March and June. Temperatures of 60°F to 80°F are sufficient for its growth. It requires frequent irrigation while it is germinating until it is around 2 inches tall. However, its shortcoming on large greenswards is its low coverage area.

Pros

• It is durable
• It grows fast
• Constant nutrition supply due to its fertilizer component

Cons

• Has a low coverage area

Jonathan Green Ultra – Best Grass Seed for Southeastern Massachusetts

This sod quality mixture is an assorted package of three major types. Having a waxy coating on its grains it is invulnerable to ailments and is naturally insect resistant. It is drought tolerant since moisture is preserved in its folia preventing it from drying up. 

Before seeding, ensure the clod has a pH between 6.2 to 7. This sod seed thrives on well-drained sandy and clay soils. It is prudent to apply this seed during the mid of August and mid of October when the ground is at a warm temperature of 55 °F to 60°F. It should be frequently watered until the grass attains a height of 2-2.5 inches and mowed after reaching a height of 3-4 inches. 

Pros

• Protected from ailments by a waxy coating
• Insect-resistant
• Tolerance to partial shade
• Fast growth

Cons

• Cannot survive exposure to fully shaded areas

Zenith Zoysia – Top Notch Grass Seed for Massachusetts

This disease-resistant sod is the best for seeding. This 100% pure seed is tolerant of drought and well capable of withstanding extremely hot temperatures. Its dense growth brings out a lush greensward that prevents weed development.

Moreover, it sprouts comfortably in partial shade or under sun exposure. It is best grown during frost-free seasons that start on April 7. This is when clod inversion is at 60°F or warmer.  It also requires average rainfall of about 3.5 inches annually. This sod is also well accommodated by acidic and alkaline clods.

Pros

• Chokes out weeds
• Heat and drought tolerant

Cons

• Cannot survive in extremely cold regions

Buyer’s Guide

When to Plant Grass Seed in Massachusetts?

This region is associated with hot summers with temperatures reaching up to 80°F and cold winters of 0°F mostly in inland areas. These extremes are not recommendable for sods as few of them could survive. It is prudent to seed grass during spring (March) or early fall (September). It is during this period that soils are warm (at 55°F) and will stimulate growth.

Varieties of Grasses in Massachusetts

Massachusetts lies along zones ranging from zone 5 to zone 7. Sods such as Bluegrass, Tall Fescue, Ryegrass would be suitable for all zones in the state, Zoysia grass as a remainder thriving in the coastal regions of the state where zones 7a and 7b are located. 

FAQ

Conclusion

Deep consideration for the zones lying in this state and the grass types that commonly thrive here is called for. Having a handsome greensward in Massachusetts is a matter of seeding during spring or late fall along with strict adherence to the specifications provided.