Choosing the right grass seed for West Virginia weather is a vital step in having a successful lawn. West Virginia weather can be very extreme, from the cold winters to the hot summers.
It is important to choose grass seed that will not only survive but thrive in this climate.
Best Grass Seed for West Virginia – Top Picks
Here are our top picks of best grass seeds for West Virginia that should work in a variety of seasons
Best Cool Season Grass Seed for West Virginia
The best grass seed for West Virginia’s cool season should be a mix of fine fescue, perennial ryegrass and Kentucky bluegrass.
“The best grass seed for West Virginia’s cool season should be a mix of fine fescue, perennial ryegrass and Kentucky bluegrass,” says Joel Rinebold, turf specialist with the West Virginia University Extension Service.
“Fine fescue is very hardy and tolerant to shade, drought and heavy traffic.”
Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Perennial Ryegrass Mix
If you are looking for grass that survives best in warm and cool weather and is low drought resistant, then Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Perennial Ryegrass Mix is a great option.
It seeds up to 2900 aq. Ft. Especially designed for light shade and full sun, this grass has a fine bladed texture that absorbs more water due to its 4 in 1 WaterSmart PLUS Coating, encouraging jumpstart growth.
This exclusive grass seed coating ensures that your newly planted grass seed is fed and protected well against disease, resulting in a taller, thicker, and greener grass.
Best suited for high traffic areas, this grass is ideal for corrosion control and can seed up to 2900 sq. ft. This cool season grass will grow best when the temperatures are between 60-80°F. Early fall or spring are the best times to start planting this type of grass.
Make sure to water daily until the seedlings reach a height of atleast 2 inches tall. Your grass is ready to be mowed once it reaches the height of 3 inches.
Scotts Turf Builder Rapid Grass Tall Fescue Mix
Another great product from Scotts, this Turf Builder Rapid Grass Tall Fescue Mix promises a high-quality lawn in a matter of just a couple of weeks and covers upto 1845 sq.
ft. Presenting you with a combination of a productive fertilizer with tall fescue seed, you can be sure to enjoy beautiful, greener grass in a shorter period of time (as compared to starting with a seed alone). Got large problem areas in your lawn? Have no worries!
This Turf Builder Rapid Grass Tall Fescue Mix will forever change the way you grow grass because of its special ability to establish new grass quickly and act as a complete solution to large problem areas that steal away from the beauty of your lawn.
Best applied with a Scotts brand spreader, after raking the top layer of the soil. Ensure to water daily, or as needed to keep the topsoil moist until the seedlings reach the height of at least 2 to 3 inches. To ensure a thick green lawn throughout the season, apply Scotts lawn food products every 8 weeks.
Scott’s Turf Builder Grass Kentucky Bluegrass
How does the sight of a beautiful lush green lawn with the soothing summer breeze sound like? Well, this can be achieved in just as little as a couple of weeks with Scott’s Turf Builder Grass Kentucky Bluegrass.
Seeding up to 4,725 sq. ft, this special seed mix is especially formulated to withstand full sunshine and light shade as well. It has medium drought resistance and a fine bladed texture.
The specialized 4 in 1 WaterSmart PLUS Coating is applied to the surface of the seed that enables it to absorb more water (2X more than uncoated seed) and nutrients and protects the seedlings from any disease to ensure a jumpstart growth.
In order to withstand wear and tear, the Scotts Turf Builder grass seed Kentucky Bluegrass Mix has the ability to continuously self-repair to ensure a durable and lush lawn.
The mix is best suited for high traffic areas and begins to grow in 7-14 days when properly watered on a daily basis. Once it reaches the height of 3 inches, it may be mowed.
Best Warm Weather Grass Seed for West Virginia
The best time to plant West Virginia’s warm season grass seed is from mid-April until mid-May. The soil should be moist, but not soggy when you plant the seed.
Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Zoysia Grass Seed and Mulch
A grass seed that best suits full sunshine and partial shade is the Scotts Turf Builder Grass seed Zoysia Grass and Seed Mulch.
It is a mixture of grass seed and mulch that ensures a durable, tough low-maintenance lawn. 99% weed free, this is an extremely versatile seed mix that thrives in drought, light shade, and heat.
It seeds up to 2000 sq. ft. and has a medium bladed texture. To get the best results, spread Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Soil thinly before and after planting seeds.
You can apply Scotts Turf Builder Started Food for the new grass to make it grow quickly and become lush. It will take around 10-21 days for the seeds to grow.
However, it may take anywhere from 30 to 60 days to strengthen, depending on the weather conditions. You may mow the seedlings once they reach the height of 2 inches. Water twice daily at least for 3 weeks to optimize the results.
Scotts EZ Seed Patch and Repair Bermuda Grass
The best combination of seed, mulch and fertilizer, the EZ Seed patch and Repair Bermuda Grass is considered to be Scotts best performance grass seed.
Covering up to 445 sq. ft., this mix can even grow comfortably in scorching heat! The mulch present in the mix has the ability to absorb upto 6 times its weight when watered and expands to create a moist protective layer around the seed.
The fertilizer promises jumpstart growth due to the exclusive controlled release technology that feeds the seedlings. Another feather of the mix is the tackifier which saves the seed from washing away.
Harmful diseases are kept at bay because of the protectant that keeps the seedlings safe. It is best suited for sloped areas, high traffic areas and dry areas with extreme heat.
The only three steps you need to get the most out of this seed is to simply prepare the ground, apply the seed, and water. You will get green, thick grass in as less as two weeks when watered properly.
West Virginia Grass Seed Buyers Guide
Looking to grow a lawn in West Virginia? Make sure to check out our FAQs below.
What Type of Grass Seed Is Best For West Virginia?
The seed that best suits West Virginia’s weather is one that is persistent, fine to medium textured turf grass. It needs to be drought resistant and suitable for full sunshine and partial shade.
The types of grass seeds that are most suitable for West Virginia include mostly cool season grasses like rough bluegrass, ryegrass, fine fescue, turf type fescue and Kentucky bluegrass.
Alternatively, as we move towards the south of the state, Zoysia grass and Bermuda grass are a more popular choice. Zoysia grass is considered to be a warm season grass that doesn’t and survive the winter well and changes its color from green to brown.
Why Are There Different Fall and Summer Grass Seeds?
It is important to choose the right type of grass seed according to the weather of the location because seeds that may be suitable for one weather may not be suitable for another.
For example, seeds that thrive in the summer may not do well in the fall and vice versa. Kentucky bluegrass, Perennial Ryegrass, Fine Fescues, and Tall Fescues are great to plant in the cooler months.
These grass seeds are mostly fine to medium blade and drought resistant. Whereas, in the summer months, it is recommended to plant seeds such as Zoysia grass and Bermuda grass.
It is important to consider the time of the year when planting the two different types of seeds.
If either one is not planted in the relevant season, the seed may not survive the weather and the germination process can be affected by the temperatures, eventually killing the seed.
FAQs
What Is the Best Time To Plant Grass Seed West Virginia?
The best time to plant grass seed in West Virginia is in the late summer to early fall, which is between mid-August through mid-September.
This ensures that the soil is warm along with cool temperature, ensuring a favourable environment for seed germination. Seed planting can also be done starting from the month of March through mid-May.
How Long Does It Take for Grass Seed To Sprout In West Virginia?
It can take anywhere from 5 to 30 days for grass seed to sprout, totally depending on the type of seed that has been planted. One of the quickest grass seeds to sprout is rye grass, on the other hand, bluegrass can take up to several weeks.
How Much Water Does Grass Seed Need to Grow?
It is extremely important to water the grass seed for it to successfully sprout. Keep the soil surface moist by watering daily, or as needed until the seedlings reach the height of at least 2 inches.
When Is the Best Time To Mow The Grass?
You can mow the seedlings once they reach a height of 3 inches.