Growing a full lawn of grass is the dream of many homeowners. A variety of factors, such as climate, soil conditions and shade, all contribute to which grass seed you should choose. Achieving lush green grass means proper irrigation and feeding in addition to choosing the right grass seeds. This guide features some things to consider when choosing the best grass seed for your yard that will turn your lawn into a stunning, full-fledged meadow.
Here are the best grass seed for full sun on the market.
Editor’s Pick-Grass Seed For Full Sun
Best Grass Seed For Full Sun Reviews In 2023
1. Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Heat
Turf Builder 4 in 1 Heat blends the best drought-tolerant grasses with a precoated seed and heat-absorbing coating to provide a beautiful lawn on demand. Designed for full sun and partial shade, this grass seed will thrive in any climate and is high drought resistant. The 4 in 1 waterSmart PLUS coating absorbs more water than uncoated seed, feeds with essential nutrients and helps protect seedlings from disease – creating a better, healthier lawn from the beginning.
Spreads Quickly To Repair Wear
Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Heat-Tolerant Blue Mix for Tall Fescue Lawns grows 33% thicker than ordinary tall fescue. This mix recovers quickly from heat and drought, and it spreads quickly to repair wear and tear on your lawn. Each seed is wrapped in a unique 4 in 1 WaterSmart PLUS Coating that absorbs 2x more water than uncoated seed, feeds with essential nutrients, and helps protect seedlings from disease. Designed for full sun and partial shade, medium bladed texture and high drought resistance. Quickly recovers from heat and drought and spreads to repair wear and tear. Grow Quicker, Thicker, Greener Grass. Guaranteed.
Protect Seedlings Against Disease
Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Heat is the only grass seed that contains Scotts best seed, a combination of tall fescue and bluegrass. This mix helps protect seedlings against disease while helping keep the seed moist 2x longer than uncoated seeds and feeds to jumpstart growth.
2. Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Kentucky Bluegrass Mix
Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Kentucky Bluegrass Mix is a blend of top-quality grass seed that germinates quickly, withstands wear and tear, and provides the thickest lawn possible. The seed features an exclusive 4 in 1 WaterSmart PLUS coating absorbs more water, feeds with essential nutrients and protects seedlings from disease. This mix can be used for full sun or light shade in all zones.
Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Kentucky Bluegrass Mix
Fine bladed texture with medium drought tolerance. Seed will begin to grow in 7 – 14 days. You can mow the seedlings when they reach 3 inches in height.
Where To Use
Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Kentucky Bluegrass Mix is a unique mix that performs well in high-traffic areas, under moderate shade, and in sunny areas. It has the ability to self-repair from heat, drought, and high-traffic damage and is Scotts most cold-tolerant grass seed mix.
WaterSmart PLUS
Contains our exclusive WaterSmart PLUS coating technology that keeps seeds moist 2X longer than uncoated seed, feeds to jumpstart growth, and helps protect seedlings against disease.
3. Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Dense Shade Mix
Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Kentucky Bluegrass Mix is ideal for full sun and light shade. It has a fine bladed texture and medium drought resistance, and is designed to withstand wear and tear for a thick, durable lawn. The mix contains Kentucky Bluegrass seed, which is designed for full sun and light shade.
Protect Seedlings From Disease
Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Dense Shade Mix for Tall Fescue Lawns is ideal for growing a low maintenance lawn around or under areas of dense trees, and it grows with as little as 3 hours of sunlight. Each seed is wrapped in a unique 4 in 1 WaterSmart PLUS Coating that absorbs 2X more water than uncoated seed, feeds with essential nutrients, and helps protect seedlings from disease. Designed for full sun and partial shade, medium bladed texture and high drought resistance. Grow Quicker, Thicker, Greener Grass. Guaranteed.
Easy-to-remember Holiday Gives
Cool-season grasses grow best when temperatures are between 60-80°F. Early fall is the best time to seed because of its shorter days, cooler nights and heavier dews. Your most successful seeding time is right around Labor Day. Seeding 2 weeks before or after that easy-to-remember holiday gives your new seedlings time to build strong roots before the winter. Spring is also a great time to plant cool-season grasses because of its moderate temperatures and heavier rainfall.
4. Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed for Bermudagrass
Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed for Bermudagrass is designed for full sun, high traffic areas, and draught resistance. This seed has the exclusive 4 in 1 WaterSmart PLUS Coating that absorbs more water, feeds with essential nutrients and protects seedlings from disease. This seed also includes Scotts best seed, protects against disease, keeps seed moist 2x longer & feeds to jumpstart growth for thicker, greener grass guaranteed. Aggressively spreads to fill in bare spots and crowd out weeds. Great for lawns challenged by long periods of scorching southern heat, drought, and bare spots
Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Bermudagrass
Fine bladed texture with high drought tolerance. Seed will begin to grow in 5 – 12 days. You can mow the seedlings when they reach 2 inches in height.
Where To Use
Great for lawns challenged by long periods of scorching southern heat and drought. Aggressively spreads to grow a thick, durable lawn.
WaterSmart PLUS
Contains our exclusive WaterSmart PLUS coating technology that keeps seeds moist 2X longer than uncoated seed, feeds to jumpstart growth, and helps protect seedlings against disease.
5. Pennington Lawn Booster Sun & Shade
Supercharge your garden with Pennington Lawn Booster Sun and Shade. This unique product includes Smart Seed premium grade grass mixes requiring up to 30% less water year after year vs. ordinary seed, Premium Fertilizer that continuously releases nitrogen for up to 8 weeks, Lime enhances seed to improve grass growth and color, and gypsum to help loosen up the soil for the grass to take root.
Pennington Lawn Booster
Everything your lawn needs to grow quicker, thicker, and greener grass with just one application.**vs lawn treated with just fertilizer
All-in-One Solution
Pennington Lawn Booster Sun & Shade is an easy-to-use, all-in-one product that combines premium Pennington Smart Seed with professional-grade fertilizer and soil enhancer to improve seed germination and enrich your lawn’s overall texture and color.
6. Pennington The Rebels Tall Fescue Grass Seed Blend
Pennington Rebels is the original premium Tall Fescue and it’s still the best Tall Fescue on the market. This tough grass with thick, deep and dense roots will thrive through the toughest conditions. Produces a darker, greener and denser lawn than Kentucky-31 and other tall fescues. Grows well in partial shade to full sun and in a wide range of soils. Withstands heavy traffic, insects, heat and drought for lower maintenance. Guaranteed to grow from seed with Pennington’s 5-Star Guarantee!
The Rebels Tall Fescue Grass Seed Mix
This tough grass has thick, deep and dense roots that result in excellent drought and traffic tolerance. It grows well in partial shade to full sun and in a wide range of soils.
Up to 40 Percent More Roots than Ordinary Grass
With up to 40 percent more roots than ordinary grass, The Rebels Brand Extended Root seed varieties have excellent drought and traffic tolerance and represent the best turf-type tall fescue on the market.
Turf-Type Tall Fescue
This mi produces a darker, greener and denser lawn than Kentucky-31 and other tall fescues and withstands heavy traffic, insects, heat and drought for lower maintenance.
Prepare – Bare Spots or New Lawns
Remove debris, then rake the soil to loosen and smooth the top layer. Apply at a rate of 12 lbs/1,000 sq. ft.
7. Pennington One Step Complete Dense Shade Bare Spot Grass Seed
Some people look at a lawn as a place that requires mowing, edging, seeding, fertilizing, and more – in short, as a chore. At Pennington we see it as an outdoor living space for making unforgettable memories, and we’re dedicated to ensuring that your lawn is ready for any occasion.
Fine Grass Seed
We’ve been at this for a long time, beginning in 1945 as a small seed store on Main Street in Madison, Georgia. We’re proud that Brooks Pennington Sr.’s spirit of entrepreneurship is still with us today, and this drives us to make fine grass seed, soil amendments, fertilizers, and wild bird seed. From baseball games, parties, water balloon fights or playing fetch with the family dog, millions of homeowners have relied on Pennington to set their lawns and gardens as the stage for lifelong memories.
Professional-grade Fertilizer
Pennington One Step Complete Complete seeding mix makes it easy to grow beautiful, thick, water-saving grass that thrives in both sunny and moderately shady areas. Everything you need is pre-mixed in one bag – premium Smart Seed grass seed, mulch, and professional-grade fertilizer. Simply apply, water, and watch it grow. Perfect for patching or repairing problem spots in your lawn. This super-absorbent seeding mix holds and maintains moisture around the seed while providing the essential nutrients to help grass grow healthy and strong.
8. Jonathan Green (10870) Black Beauty Sunny Grass Seed
At Jonathan Green, we believe everyone deserves to have the lawn of their dreams. Because lawns are where we come together and make memories. Our primary focus has been to help homeowners and turfgrass professionals grow and maintain great-looking, easy-to-care-for lawns.
Great lawns start with great seed. That’s why our family has spent six generations perfecting our products. Our Black Beauty grass seed mixtures are naturally dark-green in color which saves you on the cost of fertilizer. Our grass seed varieties can grow roots up to 4-feet deep and possess a waxy coating that preserves moisture, making your lawn more drought-resistant and heat tolerant.
In addition to our superior grass seed, we also offer everything from soil foods that correct pH and relieve compaction to weed controls, fertilizers, and organics. Our plan is for you to spend less time worrying about your yard and more time making memories on the lawn.
Beauty Turf-type Tall
About Black Beauty Sunny Grass Seed (10870): This grass seed mix contains turfgrass varieties that perform best in full sun to lightly shaded growing conditions due to their ability to tolerate heat and have great drought resistance. These Black Beauty turf-type tall fescues possess a waxy leaf coating, like the skin of an apple, which preserves moisture by limiting evaporation and shielding the grass leaves from turf disease.
Succumb To Heat And Drought Stress
It performs particularly well on slopes that dry out easily due to water run-off and in lawns with a southern exposure, whereas regular grass seed mixtures succumb to heat and drought stress. This seed produces a dark-green lawn and germinates in 7 to 14 days. About Jonathan Green: We’re a supplier of grass seed, soil enhancers, fertilizer, and other lawn care products. If you want a great-looking carefree lawn, we can help you achieve success. Our family has been growing great-looking lawns for six generations. We want to give you a thick and healthy lawn to help ward off problems before they start.
9. Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed
A perfect grass seed mixture for the Midwest. Crafted in Wisconsin, this blend of seeds has been specially formulated to withstand harsh winters and hot summers to bring you the best grass on your lawn.
Watersmart Plus Coating
Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed is specially designed with our exclusive WaterSmart Plus Coating technology to help ensure that you are successful when growing new grass from seed.
Absorbs
Absorbs twice as much as water, and holds it twice as long as uncoated seed to help prevent the seed from drying out – even if you miss a day of watering.
Feeds
Feeds with essential nutrients to jump start the seedlings and help them to quickly grow into taller, thicker, greener grass plants.
10. GreenView 2829339 Fairway Formula Grass Seed Sunny
GreenView Fairway Formula Grass Seed Sunny Mixture is a top-quality cool-season mixture of grass seed that will grow a thick, lush green lawn meant to thrive in sunny locations where few trees are present. This new generation seed will ensure your lawn will remain strong, green and luxurious.
Proper Care Techniques
This grass seed mixture is one of the best at surviving in constant sun. You will want to water daily as needed to ensure that the surface soil is moist until the seeds reach at least two inches tall if you want to keep it green and growing all summer. You can begin to mow your grass once it reaches 3 inches or higher in height.
Seed Mixture Ensures Success
This mixture includes cool-season grass seed varieties that have a relatively fine texture – with sun-tolerant fescues, Kentucky bluegrass, and perennial ryegrass. The perennial ryegrass is quick to germinate while the other varieties in the blend continue to fill in to produce a beautiful lawn.
Pair with Seeding Success
Pair with GreenView Fairway Formula Seeding Success – our combination biodegradable seeding mulch & starter fertilizer that helps maintain moisture longer while seed germinates.
How To Choose The Best Grass Seed For Full Sun Before Purchasing
It’s critical to take several important elements into account when choosing the ideal grass seed for a front yard or a backyard sanctuary, including temperature, upkeep, and sun requirements. A quality grass seed should flourish in the particular circumstances of your yard. See some of the factors you should take into account while choosing the best grass seed in the list below.
Climate
The majority of the grass seeds mentioned above can be grown almost anywhere in the nation with enough effort and resources. Beautiful Kentucky bluegrass lawns are not unusual to be found in the sweltering Southwest. However, defying climate regulations will make the task much more difficult and costly, requiring large investments in irrigation infrastructure, water, and fertilizers. Establishing a lawn will be much easier if you consider the climate. Take into account your geographic location and the grass species that require the least amount of upkeep and irrigation to flourish there.
Replanting Versus Reseeding
Reseeding a lawn differs greatly from establishing a new lawn in terms of technique. Applying seed to the barren ground you’ve prepped for new planting is how you seed a new lawn. You’ll be trying to thicken an existing grass when you reseed. Because of this, you usually require twice as much seed to establish a new lawn as to reseed an old one.
Traffic Volume
The ability of various grass kinds to withstand foot traffic varies. If you have children or pets and intend to use your backyard frequently as a play area, think about choosing grass kinds that can withstand some damage and still flourish. The two grasses that can withstand foot traffic the best are zoysia and Bermuda, while fescue struggles under strong foot traffic.
Essential Maintenance
While some homeowners love spending time fussing over their lawns, many people detest the long hours required to maintain a yard. Think about the types of grass that require the least upkeep and how much effort you’re willing to put into a lawn. For instance, perennial ryegrass cannot self-heal and needs to be patched, whereas zoysia grass requires annual dethatching. Bermuda grass, in contrast, takes almost any upkeep.
UV Radiation
Differing grasses can withstand different amounts of light exposure. While certain grasses, like Bermuda grass, require direct sunlight, others, like tall fescue, may thrive in partial shade. To choose the best lawn grass seed for the local lighting conditions, consider how much sunlight your lawn receives. Some seed firms create special seed mixtures for lawns with full sun, complete shade, or sections of shade and full sun.
Mix versus one seed
You have the option of selecting a single kind of grass seed or a blend made up of several different kinds. If you want your lawn to have a specific look, use only one type of seed. A single species lawn can look great even though it takes more work to maintain single seeds.
Because firms modify the mixes for increased drought or heat tolerance, they are simpler to cultivate and manage. Furthermore, they typically require less patching because of how consistently they develop. Your lawn won’t, however, have the lovely uniform appearance of a single species lawn.
percentage of germination
Some seeds, despite your best attempts to get your yard ready for sowing, just weren’t meant to grow into plants. The germination percentage enters the picture here. An indicator of a seed collection’s viability is the germination percentage. It is computed by dividing the total number of seeds by the number of seeds that germinate.
Given how expensive grass seed may be, a higher germination percentage—which primarily depends on seed quality—is preferable. Although you might be tempted to pick up the cheapest grass seed available, doing so will probably result in significant waste due to its decreased likelihood of germination. Given that high-quality grass seed germinates between 90 and 95 percent of the time, it is worthwhile to spend more money on it.
Frequently Asked Question
What grass grows in hot sun?
Bermuda grass, centipede grass, and zoysia grass are the main warm-season grasses grown in the Transition Zone. They’re drought-tolerant and can withstand cooler temperatures better than the other warm-season grasses.
What is the easiest grass seed to grow?
Bermuda grass is the fastest-growing warm season grass, germinating in as little as 10 days. Ryegrass, which grows in cool climates, also germinates that quickly.
Is Kentucky bluegrass good for full sun?
Kentucky bluegrass prefers full sun, but will tolerate some shade. This species is used widely throughout the U.S. where it is well adapted, but it has a poor summer performance in California in areas with warm to hot temperatures.
Conclusion
Depending on where you live and what you’re looking for, there are a number of factors to consider when determining what type of grass seed is best for your lawn. The Scotts brand has a variety of options to choose from, so if you’re having trouble deciding which seed is best for you, start by taking a look at their website.