The Best Grass Seed for Central Ohio

Corn and soybeans aren’t the only things that grow well in Central Ohio. Cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass also thrive in the Buckeye State. Read on to find out the best grass seeds for Central Ohio and for your yard.

But, in case you want to know more about the grasses that grow in the entire state, check out our article: “Best Grass Seed for Ohio.”

Kentucky bluegrass: Best grass for high-quality lawns

Kentucky bluegrass is the most common grass in Central Ohio and one of the best grasses for Columbus — probably because it produces a high-quality turf with its beautiful blue-green color and dense look. With proper lawn care, this grass can enhance the aesthetic appeal of any yard.

It’s important to note, though, that Kentucky bluegrass can be slow to establish, requiring patience and consistent maintenance. It also needs to be planted in full sun to thrive. In general, this grass is considered a high-maintenance grass, but you can read more about it in our Kentucky bluegrass guide.

Pro Tip: The Ohio State University recommends using improved cultivars of Kentucky bluegrass to achieve the best results. When seeding, aim for a rate of 2 pounds per 1,000 square feet.

Grass Seed Options:
– Jonathan Green (11970) Blue Panther Kentucky Bluegrass Grass Seed (3 lbs.)
– SeedRanch Midnight Kentucky Bluegrass Seed (5 lbs.)

Perennial ryegrass: Best grass for seed mixtures

Perennial ryegrass is one of the best grasses for overseeding, thanks to its rapid germination, often sprouting in just a few days. This quick growth means your thinning lawn can turn lush again in no time with proper care. You can learn more about this turfgrass in our guide: “Perennial Ryegrass: How to Grow and Care for It.”

However, perennial ryegrass isn’t as cold or disease-resistant as Kentucky bluegrass. For this reason, it is not recommended to seed a lawn from scratch with 100% perennial ryegrass. Instead, it’s best to use perennial ryegrass as part of a mix. 

Aim for 5 to 10% perennial ryegrass in mixes that include only Kentucky bluegrass or a combination of Kentucky bluegrass and fine fescues.

Grass Seed Options:
– Outsidepride Perennial Ryegrass Seed (5 lbs.)
– Eretz ProTurf Perennial Ryegrass Fine Lawn Seed (choose your size)

Tall fescue: Best grass for low-maintenance lawns

Tall fescue stands out for being a relatively low-maintenance grass. It requires minimal fertilizing and watering, though it can also withstand moderate drought conditions. This grass is resilient, able to endure some foot traffic, and recovers well from wear if overseeded.

In Central Ohio, you can opt for a 100% tall fescue blend for your lawn or use a seed mix containing 5 to 10% Kentucky bluegrass.

Moreover, The Ohio State University recommends using only turf-type tall fescue varieties, avoiding Kentucky 31. You can read more guidelines on how to care and establish this grass in our tall fescue guide.

Grass Seed Options:
– Triple-Play Tall Fescue Grass Seed Blend (5000 sq ft)
– Pennington The Rebels Tall Fescue Grass Seed Mix (7 lb.)

Fine fescues: Best grass for shaded lawns

Thanks to their higher shade tolerance, fine fescues are the best grasses to use if you have a partially shaded lawn where other grasses would struggle. This category of grasses includes creeping red fescue, Chewings fescue, hard fescue, and sheep fescue.

These grasses are also low-maintenance, requiring less frequent mowing and fertilizing. (For further details, check out our guide: “Fine Fescue: How to Grow and Care for It.”) However, they do not tolerate heat, and they are not ideal for high-traffic areas.

In Central Ohio, fine fescues can be used in a 100% blend for shaded lawns. Alternatively, they can be included in seed mixtures with 30 to 50% Kentucky bluegrass or a mix of 45-60% Kentucky bluegrass, 5-10% perennial ryegrass, and 50-30% fine fescues. 

Grass Seed Options:
– Outsidepride Legacy Fine Fescue Grass Seed (5 lbs.)
– Eretz Creeping Red Fine Fescue Seed (choose your size)
– Outsidepride Creeping Red Fine Fescue Grass Seed (25 lbs.)

Seed mixes for Central Ohio

Here is a summary of the recommended seed mixes for Central Ohio:

*Using a blend of turf-type tall fescue means using at least three different varieties of this grass. The same applies for fine fescues and Kentucky bluegrass blends. Conversely, seed mixes or mixtures include at least two grasses of different species, for example, Kentucky bluegrass and fine fescues.

Call a pro for help

Knowing the best grasses and when to plant grass seed in Ohio can help you achieve a lawn that rivals Ohio Stadium’s, but is, of course, natural.

However, you don’t have to do it all alone. Call a local lawn care pro to help you get the best results and enjoy a beautiful lawn with minimal stress. We have pros in Columbus and other Central Ohio cities ready to assist you.

Lawn Love participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. Lawn Love may earn revenue from products promoted in this article.

Main Image Credit: Pythaglio | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 2.0

Maria Isabela Reis

Maria Isabela Reis is a writer, psychologist, and plant enthusiast. She is currently doing a PhD in Social Psychology; and can't help but play with every dog she sees walking down the street.

Posts by Maria Isabela Reis