The Importance of High Quality Grass Seed

Investing in high-quality grass seed is one of the best ways to ensure the success of your lawn—both short-term and in the long run. While bargain bags of grass seed at the local hardware store may be tempting come springtime, these low-quality mixes often contain filler, older varieties, and weed seed content. In other words, a low-quality grass seed makes for a low-quality lawn. 

At Nature’s Seed, our standards are high. Through extensive research and testing, we offer premium quality grass seed, which makes a world of difference in the appearance, density, and longevity of a lawn.

It All Starts with What’s in the Bag

You can tell a lot about a grass seed variety simply by looking at its contents. Most seed bags are printed with a “seed tag” or a list of what’s included and at what percentage. High-quality grass seed contains the following: 

• High Germination Rate—The germination rate refers to how much grass will actually grow out of a bag of grass seed. Quality grass seed has a germination rate of around 85% or higher. 
• Minimal Inert Matter—It might seem like a good thing to have your grass seed mixed with soil and other materials, but this can actually hinder growth. Inert matter may also include sawdust, seed husks, and stems. High quality grass seed should have less than 2% inert matter.
• Low or Zero Weed Seed—When a seed mix contains a lot of filler matter, or the seeds haven’t been cleaned thoroughly, a percentage of weed seeds are present. Look for high quality grass seed with less than 1% weed seed content. 
• Seed Purity—The highest purity rating for grass seeds is 100%. This means the seeds have been cleaned thoroughly and are not coated. Premium quality grass seed is typically 100% pure. 

Stress Tolerance and Drought Resistance Matter More Than You Think

Another standout feature of quality grass seed is its high stress tolerance and drought resistance. Low-quality seed doesn’t hold up well in hot or cold temperatures, is more prone to disease, and doesn’t self-repair. 

Stress Tolerance—Premium quality grass seed has a high stress tolerance, meaning it will still grow under less favorable conditions. This is why germination rates are so high with pure seed, compared to mixed, low-quality bags. Without stress tolerance, your lawn can turn out patchy, sparse, and full of weeds.

Drought Resistance—Quality grass seed should be watered as directed, but if you miss a day or two, it will still germinate. And once the grass is fully grown in, it will remain drought-resistant. Even if you’re growing a variety known for its drought resistance, like Bermudagrass, if the seed is low quality, it won’t hold up under pressure. 

Color, Texture & Growth Pattern: The Visual Difference

Once germination is complete, you can really see the difference in a high-quality grass seed. Premium seed outshines low-quality mixes in color, texture, and growth patterns.

Richer Color—High-quality grass seed is cultivated and tested for rich color and vibrancy. 

Uniform Texture—Say goodbye to rough, thin blades and bending. Quality grass seed grows with a uniform texture throughout. 

Even Growth—Premium grass seed puts down strong roots and grows without leaving bald patches behind.

The Cost of Cutting Corners

Using high-quality grass seed also prevents a whole host of problems like bald patches, weed overgrowth, and nutrient deficiency. In other words, saving money up front with a low-quality grass seed will end up costing you more money in the long run.

Poor Establishment—One of the most common problems homeowners face with cheap grass seed is patchy establishment. Grass may spring up in one area of the lawn, while another section remains barren. When this happens, you have to purchase more product, restart the seeding process in these areas, and hope for the best.

Weed Invasion—Skipping out on premium grass seed also means more weed growth. Poor quality mixes are less hardy, don’t tolerate stress, and include more weed seed content. You will end up spending more money on chemical weed treatments and fertilizer to combat this problem.

More Maintenance—As time goes on, you’ll have to continue battling with bald patches, weed overgrowth, disease, re-seeding, and other maintenance issues. With high-quality grass seed, maintenance is much more minimal, because the product will have strong roots and coverage.

Short Lifespan—Even with continued maintenance, a low-quality product will inevitably fail over time, and you will need to reseed your lawn again and again. Rather than dealing with the constant upkeep, you can save yourself a lot of time and money by investing in high-quality grass seed to begin with. 

Why Nature’s Seed Sets the Standard

At Nature’s Seed, high-quality grass seed is our bread and butter. With decades of experience cultivating premium grass seed, our products are top-rated by the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP).

Regionally Adapted Blends—Find quality grass seed blends that fit your plant hardiness zone, climate, and local needs. 

High Germination & Purity—Our elite varieties have high germination rates and 100% purity. They are thoroughly cleansed, sorted, and picked for success.

Specialized Options—Not sure if traditional grass seed is for you? We also carry wildflower seed, clover, and specialty seed for pollination, erosion control, native reclamation, and more. 

Transparency—With several rounds of quality control, cleaning, and viability testing, we’ve taken the guesswork out of germination. We are always transparent about where our high-quality grass seed comes from, how it will perform, and what’s inside every Nature’s Seed bag. 

Invest in Quality—Your Soil (and Sanity) Will Thank You

Don’t waste your time and effort on cheap products. If you’re going to spend hours cultivating soil and spreading seed, do yourself a favor and start the process with a high-quality grass seed from Nature’s Seed. If you’re ready to see vibrant, green grass with even growth and texture, browse our products today to find the best seed for your property.