The Best Types of Grass Seed for Every State
Knowing what type of grass seed to buy can feel overwhelming. This guide makes it simple, breaking down the best grass seed varieties for every state. We go beyond general regions and growing zones and help you find the right type of seed for exactly where you live.
Cool-Season Grass Seed for Northern Regions
With cold winters and mild summers, states in the Northern part of the country do best with cool-season grass seeds like Kentucky Bluegrass, Tall and Fine Fescue, and Perennial Ryegrass. Northwest and northeast grass seed should be planted in the spring or fall when soil temperatures are between 50 and 65 degrees F.
Kentucky Bluegrass - Midnight w/ OptiGrowth Best for high-traffic lawns that need a dark, durable cool-season carpet. 
Legacy Fine Fescue Grass Seed w/ OptiGrowth Best for shade, dry soil, and low-maintenance northern lawns. Transition Zone Grass Seed for Midwestern & Mid-Atlantic States
The wildly varying temperatures of the south-central and central U.S. – including cold winters and hot summers – require a specific type of Midwest grass seed. For these transition zones, you need grass seed that can withstand a wide range of temperatures and both humid and arid climates. Choose from Turf-Type Tall Fescues, Bermuda Grass, and specialized Transition Zone grass seed blends.
Rio Bermuda Grass Seed Best for transition-zone Bermuda with fast establishment and cold tolerance. 
Combat Extreme Transition Zone w/ OptiGrowth Best for USDA zones 6–7 lawns that need shade, heat, and self-repair. Warm-Season Grass Seed for Southern Regions
Southern grass seed thrives in hot summer temperatures and can resist drought conditions. During winter, they enter dormancy and turn brown, returning to a lush green in mid-to-late spring. The ideal types of grass seed to plant in Southern states include Bermuda, Centipede, and Bahia.
Oasis Bermuda Grass Seed Best for full-sun southern lawns that need drought-tolerant turf. 
Argentine Bahia Grass Seed Best for Gulf Coast and sandy southern lawns with low water and fertilizer needs. Grasses for Regions With Mixed Climates
In states with wide-ranging climates, the best type of grass seed depends on the soil and air temperature of the specific region you’re in. In California, the Northern and coastal areas require cool-season grass seed varieties, while the southern part of the state needs warm-weather grass seed. Nevada, too, has dramatically different climates, with cold winters in high-elevation areas and extreme heat in the Las Vegas desert. Bermuda Grass is well suited for hot-weather portions of the state, while Tall Fescues grow best in cooler areas including Reno and the mountains.