When you are starting a new lawn or reseeding an existing one, it is important to know how much grass seed you will need. The Grass Seed Calculator below can help determine this amount by taking into account your square footage, coverage rate and length and width of the area to be treated.
How to use the grass seed calculator?
You can use the calculator to determine how much seed you will need for any given area. The calculator is based on 0.5 lbs of grass seed per 1,000 square feet.
For seeding a lawn for the first time, it is recommended to use a 60-40 mixture of perennial ryegrass and bluegrass. This ratio provides the best results in most regions across North America and Europe, including houses with shady areas or lots shaded by mature trees.
Using the grass seed calculator – example
To use the grass seed calculator below, enter the length and width of the area to be treated and click on the “Calculate” button.
The calculation is based on 0.5 lbs of grass seed per 1,000 sq ft. If you have a patch of lawn that’s smaller than this, simply divide your answer by 5 to get how many pounds are needed to cover it. For example: if your patch is 100 sq ft, enter 0.05 into our calculator and multiply that by 100 to find out it will take 2 lbs of grass seed!
What is the coverage rate?
The coverage rate is the amount of seed that one pound covers in one acre. It’s important to know your coverage rates so you can figure out how much you need to buy and have enough left over for another project, or if there will be any leftover seeds.
The coverage rate for perennial ryegrass is 2 pounds per 1,000 square feet (1/4″ deep), which makes it easy to calculate how many pounds need for your area. For example, if you want to cover 500 square feet with perennial ryegrass grass seed, then multiply 500 by 4 = 2,000 square feet = 1/8 acre. Then divide that by 16 inches which is the average depth of planting (1/2 inch + 3/4 inch). The result is 25 pounds of perennial ryegrass seeds needed per 1 acre (or 40 ounces).
FAQ
What is the best month to plant grass seed?
Planting in late spring and early summer gives warm-season grasses the advantage of warm soil and early seasonal rains, which help keep soil moisture available during germination and establishment.
What’s the best type of grass seed to use?
The turf-type fescue family is the best grass seed for variation.
Which grass seed is best for a new lawn?
Ryegrass germinates quickly, making it popular for new lawns. It does best in colder climates with mild summers; however, it can still be found in the southern part of the country. Perennial ryegrass should be planted or reseeded in the fall.
