Whether you’re dreaming of a picture-perfect lawn, prepping a paddock, or simply trying to patch up some tired turf, choosing the right grass seed is the first step, but with so many options, it can be hard to know where to begin.
Don’t worry, we’re here to help you cut through the jargon and find the best grass seed for your space. Whether you’re working with a shaded back garden, a large field, or a patchy play area, we’ll walk you through what to consider and how Kent Seeds can support you every step of the way.
Types of Grass Seed You Can Get from Kent Seeds
At Kent Seeds, we offer a wide range of UK-grown grass seed mixtures, each designed with specific uses in mind, from family lawns to equestrian paddocks, and even wildflower meadows.
Here’s a quick look at the main types we stock:
Lawn Grass Seed Mixes
Perfect for everyday gardens, hardwearing spaces, and lush ornamental lawns.
Explore lawn seed mixes here.
Landscaping Grass Seed
Great for parks, verges, and larger green spaces.
View landscaping mixes here.
Equine Grass Seed
Tailored for grazing, hay production, and paddocks.
See equine mixes here.
Agricultural Grass Seed
A variety of choices for hay and haylage, silage leys, and dual-purpose grazing.
Browse agricultural mixes here.
Wildflower Meadow Mixes
For a naturalistic, pollinator-friendly landscape.
Shop wildflower meadow mixes here.
All of our meadow mixes are made with UK-native wildflower species, Kent indigenous perennial ryegrass for which we are the sole maintainer, and grass cultivars such as fescues, timothy, and meadow grasses, each chosen for performance, resilience, and suitability to British conditions.
What is the Best Grass Seed for Me?
The best grass seed for you will depend on a few key environmental factors. Soil type, sunlight exposure, moisture levels, and intended use all play a crucial role in determining how well a mix will perform.
Whether your soil is sandy, clay-based, or somewhere in between; whether your space is shaded or sun-drenched; prone to drought or regularly damp, each condition influences which grass variety is most suitable, and, of course, how you plan to use the area, be it a formal lawn, family garden, paddock, or embankment, will also help determine the ideal mix.
At Kent Seeds, we’ve developed a range of high-performance grass seed mixes to suit these varied conditions. For example, our lawn range includes fast-establishing, easy-care mixes ideal for everyday use, while our equine and agricultural blends are selected for hardiness, palatability, and long-term grazing performance. We also supply low-maintenance landscaping mixes for embankments and verges, as well as conservation-friendly options that promote biodiversity alongside resilient grass growth.
Whether you're working with a new build garden, improving a tired patch of pasture, or greening a community space, we’ve got a seed mix to help you get the best results.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Grass Seed
Before you begin to choose, it helps to think about your growing conditions. Here are a few key things to consider:
Soil Type
Is your soil sandy and free-draining, or heavy clay that holds moisture? Some grass species are more adaptable than others, our seed mixes include varieties suited to a range of soil types.
Sunlight Exposure
How much sunlight does your green area get? Got shaded areas? Some mixes, such as our Shady Lawn mix, with strong fescue content, do better in lower light, while others thrive in full sun.
Growth Speed
Need quick coverage? Go for a mix with perennial ryegrass and creeping red fescue which germinates fast (often within 7–10 days) such as our Everyday Lawn mix. Want slower, steadier growth for less maintenance and finer finish? Consider slow growing grasses such as fescue-rich mixes like our Finest Lawn mix.
Foot Traffic
Think about how much wear and tear your lawn or paddock will get, higher-traffic areas benefit from tougher, more robust species such as those found in our Hardwearing Lawn mix and Utility Hardwearing grass seed.
Choosing the Correct Quantity of Grass Seed
To get a good result, it’s important to sow the right amount, too little, and weeds sneak in, too much, and seedlings compete for space.
We offer a range of pack sizes to suit every space:
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2kg - Ideal for small lawns or patch repair
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5kg - Covers up to 140m² (depending on the mix)
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10kg, 25kg, and acre packs for larger areas or multiple uses
Overseeding or Starting from Scratch?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here, but we’ll help you decide.
Overseeding
Overseeding is an effective way to revitalise a thinning, patchy, or worn-out lawn without the need for buying turf or creating a clean seedbed. Instead of digging up your lawn, simply begin by mowing it short and raking away any dead grass or debris. This prepares the sowing site for fresh seed, giving it the best chance of germinating evenly.
The best time to overseed is in early autumn or mid spring, when weather conditions are mild and conducive to seed germination. Choose mixtures with slow growing or disease-resistant seed varieties like chewings fescue, red fescue, or hard fescue for lawns in full shade, semi shade, or for drought-prone lawns.
To ensure full, even coverage, divide your grass seed into two equal batches and sow in parallel rows, first in one direction, then crosswise. This helps avoid gaps and encourages strong roots. Make sure to apply the correct quantity of seed for your lawn size and conditions. Most lawn seed mixtures should be sown at between 25g and 50g per square metre.
Once the seed is down, lightly rake it into the surface, top-dress with a thin layer of fine compost to retain moisture, and water gently using a light spray. Over the next several weeks, consistent moisture is key, especially during dry spells. Avoid heavy watering, which may disturb the sown area and wash seeds away.
Frequent mowing should be avoided until the new grass reaches a safe mowing height, typically around 7–8 cm. Thereafter, maintain it carefully, never cutting more than a third at a time to promote deep roots and steady growth. Regular but careful mowing will help the new grass thicken out and adapt to year-round use.
Overseeding with the right seed mix suited to your lawn's needs can lead to healthier, denser grass coverage, improved disease resistance, and better performance across various soil types. Whether you’re improving shaded areas or aiming for fast growth in open spaces, overseeding is a cost-effective way to restore your lawn’s beauty and resilience.
Starting from Scratch
If your existing lawn is beyond repair or you’re creating a new lawn in a garden or on a building site, it’s best to start fresh.
Clear the sowing site of weeds, debris, or old turf, then prepare the soil. Add compost or well-rotted manure to improve most soil types and support deep root growth. Sow grass seed in early autumn or mid spring when weather conditions are ideal. Use a quality lawn grass seed mix tailored to your needs, for hard wearing lawns, opt for perennial ryegrass. In shaded areas, use chewings fescue, red fescue, or hard fescue, perfect for a shady lawn, and choose slow growing grasses if you prefer less frequent mowing.
On the Kent Seeds website you can find grass seed options with good disease resistance and a balanced seed mixture. A top quality lawn often blends different grass varieties for a durable, lush green lawn.
Spread half the seeds in one direction, the second batch at right angles, using parallel rows. Apply the correct quantity, rake lightly, and water gently with a light spray, keep the sown area moist for several weeks, especially during dry spells.
Avoid walking on the newly sown area for as long as possible. Once your grass reaches the right mowing height, mow carefully to encourage strong roots and long-term fast growth. With the right lawn seed mixture and care, your lawn will thrive year round.
How We Can Help at Kent Seeds
Whether you’re seeding a tiny garden or an entire field, we’ve got the right mix, and the advice to go with it.
Got a question? Pop us an email at info@kentseeds.co.uk, or send us a DM on Instagram @kent.seeds
We’d love to see how your lawn turns out, so feel free to tag us in your growing journey!