How much grass seed do I need for 1,000 square feet?
Check it with your own numbers
Open the Grass Seed Calculator with these values
| Lawn area | 1000 ft² |
| Grass type | Tall fescue (7 lb/1,000 ft²) |
| Job | New lawn / bare soil |
| Grass seed needed | 7 lb |
| Seeding rate | 7 lb per 1,000 ft² |
| Coverage | 1,000 ft² |
Tall fescue: 7 lb
Tall fescue is the most common lawn seed across the transition zone and much of the north. The new-lawn rate is about 7 lb per 1,000 ft², so a 1,000 ft² lawn takes 7 lb. Seed is often sold in 3, 7 and 20 lb bags, which makes this an easy buy.
Other grasses for the same 1,000 sq ft
| Grass | New lawn | Overseeding |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky bluegrass | 3 lb | 1.5 lb |
| Tall fescue | 7 lb | 3.5 lb |
| Perennial ryegrass | 8 lb | 4 lb |
| Bermuda, hulled | 1.5 lb | 0.75 lb |
| Zoysia | 1 lb | 0.5 lb |
The difference is seed size. Bluegrass seeds are tiny, so a pound covers a lot of ground.
Timing
Cool-season grasses (fescue, bluegrass, rye) do best seeded in late summer to early fall, when soil is warm and nights are cool. Warm-season grasses (bermuda, zoysia) need soil above 65°F, so late spring to early summer.
Getting it to take
- Loosen the top inch of soil. Seed on hard, crusted soil mostly feeds birds.
- Spread half the seed walking north-south and half walking east-west for even coverage.
- Rake lightly so seed is barely covered, about 1/8 inch.
- Roll or tamp to press seed into the soil.
- Keep the top half inch moist, watering lightly once or twice a day, until the grass is 2 inches tall.
Don't overdo it
Doubling the rate does not double the lawn. Seedlings crowd each other and are more prone to disease. Stick close to the rate on the bag.
Starter fertilizer
A starter fertilizer with phosphorus at seeding helps roots, where local rules allow it. A 1,000 ft² lawn takes a few pounds; follow the bag rate.
For other sizes, use the full Grass Seed Calculator or browse all answers.