no mow grass seed

5 Best No Mow Grass Seeds You Can Plant Today

Ian Mutuli
Updated on
Ian Mutuli

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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Each and every homeowner desires to be able to tread on the yard of their home with the softness and richness of the green grass without any kind of discomfort. You can achieve this dream by choosing to grow a specific kind of grass seed that germinates fast and doesn’t need frequent cutting in your compound. But do not forget to ensure that you choose the right no mow grass seed blend for your situation. Aspects such as the type of soil, the climate, the level of light, and other factors should influence your choice of grass seed.

What is No Mow Lawn Grass Seed?

Now mow grass is a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant blend of fine fescue and hard fescues specifically designed to form a lush green carpet of grass when mature. Compared to other strains of grass, no-mow grass seed requires little to no fertilizer.

Fescue is a drought-tolerant strain that can perform well on sandy, loamy soil and demands no constant watering. With a no-mow lawn, you only need to mow once in spring when the seed heads are out and also once in fall.

Now mow grass seed mix differs according to regional conditions. However, most of them contain five types of fescue:

  • Hard fescue: It is a bunch of grass highly recommended for high foot traffic areas. It is tolerant to drought and heat, as well.
  • Sheep fescue: Like hard fescue grasses, this bunch of grass is tolerant to drought and needs little to no nitrogen to be fertilized.
  • Chewings fescue: It has a higher quality than the rest with deep green color, and once established, it crowds out weeds. Nonetheless, it can only withstand moderate foot traffic and requires regular maintenance, especially when dethatching the upper thatch layer.
  • Red fescue: This is the creeping variety used to fill out spaces to form a dense nod. One of the best options for anyone looking for shade-tolerant grass seed.

Best No Mow Lawn Grass Seed

1. Best Warm Season: Scotts Turf Builder Bermudagrass

Sale
Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Bermudagrass, Mix for...
  • Designed for full sun, high traffic areas, and drought resistance
  • Exclusive 4 in 1 WaterSmart PLUS Coating absorbs more water,...
  • Includes Scotts best seed, protects against disease, keeps seed...
  • Aggressively spreads to fill in bare spots and crowd out weeds
  • Great for lawns challenged by long periods of scorching southern...

Warm-season grasses grow densely in the southern parts of the U.S. Bermudagrass is a heat-tolerant grass seed with excellent foot traffic resistance. I noticed that once established, this grass is thick enough to choke out weeds, leaving a green, healthy mow lawn. The biggest downside I noticed with this grass seed mix is that it literally turns brown in Winter. The grass looks yellowish and remains dormant until early spring.

This grass seed from Scotts has a coating to help the seed germinate better, as well as protect against disease and provide nutrients. I did not expect to see the grass sprouting in just seven days. Plus, this mow lawn grass seed spreads rapidly to give a lush, green lawn.

Pros:

  • Thrives best in southern regions
  • Absorbs more water than most seeds
  • It has a 4-in-1 Water
  • Smart PLUS coating

Cons:

  • Some users report limited growth
  • Less coverage area compared to other mow turfs

2. Best for Dense Shade: Pennington Smart Seed Dense Shade

Sale
Pennington Smart Seed Dense Shade Grass Mix 7 lb
  • The perfect mix of Tall Fescue and Fine Fescue to thrive in shady...
  • Grow thick, green grass in areas of your lawn that don't receive...
  • Contains just the right amount of fertilizer to help your lawn...
  • Requires only 2 to 6 hours of sunlight
  • Disease and traffic-resistant for a strong, durable lawn

Pennington Smart Seed is specially designed to withstand cool weather, making it ideal for those densely shaded lawn areas. I tested it in areas of my backyard that got about 2 to 4 hours of sunlight, and it didn't disappoint. The seeds are mixed with the company's Penkoted technology, which helps it fight off diseases through the seedling stages. The coating isn't only for protection against diseases but also to help the seeds grow faster and healthier.

Pros:

  • Cold tolerant
  • Disease-prevention technology
  • Blended with fertilizer

Cons:

  • It may not thrive in southern areas

3. Best for Fast Growth: Pennington Smart Seed Perennial Rye Blend Grass Seed

Sale
Pennington Smart Seed Sun and Shade Grass Mix 3 lb
  • The perfect mix of Tall Fescue, Perennial Ryegrass, Kentucky...
  • Ideal grass seed for lawns that receive sun in some parts and...
  • Contains just the right amount of fertilizer to help your lawn...
  • For areas getting 4 to 6 hours of sunlight
  • Excellent disease resistance and very good drought tolerance

Pennington Smart Seed Perennial Ryegrass grows faster than most options and retains its lush green look throughout the year. I was amazed to see that even in Winter, this ryegrass did not turn brown. It maintained its deep green color. Pennington Smart Seed Perennial Ryegrass develops deep roots, which makes them more resistant to drought. Additionally, each seed has a Penkoted seal, essential for protection against mold and other damages.

Pros:

  • Maintains deep green color year round
  • Drought tolerant
  • Penkoted seal for protection

Cons:

  • Expensive
  • Not suitable for northern areas

4. Creeping Red Fine Fescue Seed by Eretz

Creeping Red Fine Fescue Seed by Eretz (10lb) - Choose...
  • PERENNIAL, fine-bladed grass. Excellent performance in shaded...
  • SUPERIOR disease resistance
  • AGGRESSIVE tillering fills in lawns. Naturally 6-8" tall; does...
  • MEDIUM to dark green color
  • WEED AND other crop seed free! 99.6% pure seed, 0.4% inert matter

While no grass is completely maintenance-free, the Creeping Red Fine Fescue Seed by Eretz is the closest you'll get. It thrives under high heat, foot traffic, and drought. Creeping Red Fine Fescue Seed by Eretz grass is designed to resist lawn diseases and common insect pests. While you'll still need to water, fertilize and mow the grass, this mow lawn grass is not very demanding.

Each seed is coated to provide necessary nutrients, protect against fungal diseases and help in water retention during the germination stage. Compared to other lawn grass seeds I have tried, Creeping Red Fine Fescue Seed by Eretz was more easy-going and germinated in just one week.

Pros:

  • Maintains deep green color year round
  • Drought tolerant

Cons:

  • Expensive

5. Outsidepride Legacy Fine Fescue Grass Seed Mix

Outsidepride Legacy Fine Fescue Grass Seed Mix - 5 lbs....
  • PREMIUM FINE TURF: This elite mix combines 20% Hard Fescue, 40%...
  • OPTIGROWTH COATING FOR ENHANCED GERMINATION: The advanced...
  • COATED WITH ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS FOR VIGOROUS GROWTH: Infused with...
  • DURABLE & RESILIENT TURF: This cool season grass seed mix,...
  • EASY APPLICATION & UNIFORM COVERAGE: The OptiGrowth Coating...

Outsidepride Legacy Fine Fescue Grass Seed Mix is ideal for those who don't enjoy the laborious process of prepping the soil before reseeding a lawn. In this bag, the seeds have been blended with fertilizer, essential organic materials required by the soil for germination, and different drought-resistant grass seeds. With this premium mow lawn grass seed, you are guaranteed to have green, healthy lawn grass. All I had to do was rake the soil, spread this lawn grass seed, water it daily, and sit back as nature does the rest.

Pros:

  • The seed mix includes Fertilizer and other organic materials
  • Drought- and shade-tolerant seed

Cons:

  • Expensive

Conclusion

Everyone wants to have a luscious lawn that remains green throughout the year. Most gardeners shun the work that goes into achieving a lush green lawn. However, with no-mow grass seed, you can enjoy a luscious lawn that is low maintenance and resistant to most diseases. Choose whatever suits your regional conditions considering whether or not your lawn receives high foot traffic, what kind of weather, and also how prone grass is to disease attacks. Eliminate the ants, and you'll have an amazing lawn where you can relax with your family all year round.

Ian Mutuli

About the author

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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