Use perennial ryegrass for the quickest spring germination

What to Do

For spring patches that need to fill in fast, choose perennial ryegrass seed. It germinates in 5-7 days — the fastest of any common cool-season grass — giving it the best chance of establishing before summer.

Why It Works

Spring seeding has a narrow window before summer heat stresses young grass. Perennial ryegrass's rapid germination means it develops a usable root system weeks before Kentucky bluegrass (14-21 day germination) would even emerge. It is also more shade-tolerant than bluegrass.

Tips

• Perennial ryegrass is a bunch-type grass that does not spread via runners, so it stays where you plant it.
• Its texture and color differ slightly from fescue and bluegrass — blend it carefully if appearance matters.
• It is also used for overseeding dormant bermuda lawns in the South for winter color.