11 of the best grass seeds for your lawn

Our shopping experts have found everything you need to know about the best grass seeds in the UK.

Grass background with box of Miracle-Gro EverGreen Complete and Gro-Sure Aqua Gel Coated Smart Grass Lawn Seed on top

by Lily Anderson |
Updated on

If you are looking to breathe new life into your garden, here at What’s The Best, we have a simple solution for you – the best grass seed.

Related: The best cordless lawn mowers for your garden

Lawn seed is one of the easiest (or hardest if not applied correctly) ways to make your outdoor area feel like it’s brand new. With more of us spending time at home than ever before, patches, brown spots, and even weeds can prevent you from making the most of your green space.

Before you dash off to buy the best grass seed possible, don't forget to read our guide below, where we cover everything from when to sow lawn seeds to tips on germination.

Best grass seed at a glance:

• Miracle-Gro EverGreen Complete 4in1

• Gro-Sure Aqua Gel Coated Smart Grass Lawn Seed

• Wilko Lawn Feed, Weed and Moss Killer

• Miracle-Gro Patch Magic Grass Seed

• RUNADI Grass Lawn Seed

• Miracle-Gro EverGreen Multi-purpose Grass Seed

• Gro-Sure Aqua Gel Coated Fast Start Smart Grass Lawn Seed

• Aftercut Lawn Thickener Feed and Seed

• GoodGrow Hard Wearing Grass Seed

• MOOWY Power Lawn

• GBW Grass Seed

How the What's The Best shopping experts selected the best lawn seed:

All of these incredible grass seeds have been hand-selected by What's The Best shopping experts. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching lawn seed so that you can choose the best one. Plus, we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in. Find out why you should trust us here.

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Best grass seed

Miracle-Gro EverGreen Complete 4in11 of 11

Miracle-Gro EverGreen Complete 4in1

Best grass seed overallWith over 8,000 reviews, you know that this 4in1 lawn food, weed and moss control go-to, will create a healthier-looking garden.Pros: The Miracle-Gro EverGreen Complete 4in1 does what it promises to, when it's used properly. Expect a thicker, greener and healthier lawn, while killing weeds and moss if you follow instructions step by step.Cons: Like most grass seeds, this takes time. We'd recommend putting this down before heavy rain to really see the effects.

Gro-Sure Aqua Gel Coated Smart Grass Lawn Seed2 of 11

Gro-Sure Aqua Gel Coated Smart Grass Lawn Seed

Best grass seeds for shaded areasAnother firm favourite, the Gro-Sure Aqua Gel Coated Smart Grass Lawn Seed, will have your garden looking fresh all year round.Pros: Use this on patches, shaded areas or anywhere that is exposed to the sun.Cons: If there's even a touch of frost in the air, then these seeds will not sow.

Wilko Lawn Feed, Weed and Moss Killer3 of 11

Wilko Lawn Feed, Weed and Moss Killer

Best Lawn Feed, Weed and Moss KillerSearching for grass seed from Wilko? Well, you're in luck. This is a must-have lawn feed, weed and moss killer. Remember to use this between the months of May and August only.Pros: Cheap and cheerful is the best way to describe an essential that keeps your grass healthy. OK, so not technically a grass seed, but it'll keep your garden greener than it has ever looked before.Cons: According to House Beautiful, "the average British garden is 15-metres long", which means one packet might not be enough for your green space. However, at £6 a pop, this shouldn't break the bank.

Miracle-Gro Patch Magic Grass Seed4 of 11

Miracle-Gro Patch Magic Grass Seed

Best grass seed for patchesThanks to Miracle-Gro Patch Magic Grass Seed, we've found a grass seeding that's easy to use; you'll never fill in patches the same again.Pros: Magic by name, magic by nature. Apply the seeds, sow and watering twice daily for the best results.Cons: If you don't remove dead grass from the patchy areas on your lawn, it won't work as well.

RUNADI Grass Lawn Seed5 of 11

RUNADI Grass Lawn Seed

Best grass seed for fast resultsNeed speedy seeds? RUNADI Grass Lawn Seed is up for the job. Pros: Expect to see results in as little as see results in seven to 14 days. Even if you aren't a keen gardener, these are worth a shot. Cons: These garden seeds can be seen as a bit of a treat to the local wildlife, which isn't fabulous for getting your garden to grow. We'd recommend watching out for any pests!

Miracle-Gro EverGreen Multi-purpose Grass Seed6 of 11

Miracle-Gro EverGreen Multi-purpose Grass Seed

Best grass seed for hard-wearing lawnsThe grass is greener on the other side of this box... Pros: The biggest plus of this lawn seed is that its child and pet-friendly. Oh, and it does great stuff like making your grass grow thicker and stronger. Cons: We have found that this grass seeding doesn't grow well in shaded areas, so make sure you use this option if your lawn gets a lot of direct sunlight.

Gro-Sure Aqua Gel Coated Fast Start Smart Grass Lawn Seed7 of 11

Gro-Sure Aqua Gel Coated Fast Start Smart Grass Lawn Seed

Best grass seed for a healthy gardenCalling all green-fingered gardeners, you can apply this lawn seed as long as it doesn't drop below seven degrees. Perfect for spring, summer and autumn. Pros: You'll see results as quick as four days; I know we couldn't believe it either. Cons: If you want your grass extra thick, we'd recommend using extra seeds.

Aftercut Lawn Thickener Feed and Seed8 of 11

Aftercut Lawn Thickener Feed and Seed

Best grass seed for a thick lawn Whether you're working with a spring, summer or autumn feed, this lawn thickener will provide your grass with all the nutrients it needs. Pros: This feed and seed has been designed specifically to fill in gaps and improve the health of your existing lawn.Cons: It can take up to a month to see the results.

GoodGrow Hard Wearing Grass Seed9 of 11

GoodGrow Hard Wearing Grass Seed

RecommendedGardener beginners need this grass seed in their shed, garage or wherever else tools and equipment are stored. It's easy to use and delivers good results.Pros: Looking for a grass that survives the dry summer weather? Well, this lawn seed is everything you've been looking for.Cons: If you don't cover your seeds, birds and other local wildlife will eat it.

MOOWY Power Lawn10 of 11

MOOWY Power Lawn

Best grass seed for hard-wearing resultsMix these power lawn seeds in with some fresh topsoil and watch as your new grass grows. Pros: This grass seed is so good it offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee (even beyond the regular 30 day Amazon return policy).Cons: We'd recommend keeping your soil moist for at least two to three weeks to see results, which is a lot of effort. Plus, the size of the bag is small compared to other grass seed options.

GBW Grass Seed11 of 11

GBW Grass Seed

Best budget grass seed Last but not least, we have a grass seed that boasts over 7,000 reviews. It's popular for its mixture of seeds, including ryegrass, creeping red fescue, chewings fescue and agrostis capillaris.Pros: Great value for money as this 1kg Grass Seed covers approximately 35 square metres.Cons: There's a chance you might find that grass won't germinate as well as other options on this list.

The best grass seed verdict:

After much to-ing and sowing, we've come to the final decision on the best grass seed... Of course, it had to go to Miracle-Gro EverGreen Complete 4in1. The value for money, phenomenal results, and the variety of what this product does make it go to the top of our list.

When to sow grass seed:

Not sure when to sow grass in the UK? That's OK because we're here to help. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced gardener, it can be tricky to know when to time it right, as grass grows best when it has plenty of water teamed with warm weather. That's why we'd recommend sowing grass seed in late summer to the middle of autumn.

Will grass seed germinate on top of soil?

If it's your first time using grass seed, it's handy to know whether or not grass seed will work on top of the soil. As grass seed is usually small, a layer of topsoil will reduce its chances of growing.

We understand that this might be a quick solution to prevent birds from eating the seeds. Instead, use a decoy bird feeder, cover the ground with straw or even plant extra seeds.

Do grass seeds expire?

The quick answer to this is yes, grass seeds do expire. You'll usually find a use-by date on the packaging. It's good to know that the older it gets, the less chance the seeds will germinate, especially if your pack isn't stored correctly.

Are grass seeds safe for dogs?

According to All Creatures Healthcare, "The reason that grass seeds can be dangerous for dogs (or even cats) is that they can easily penetrate their outer skin in multiple areas. If left untreated, this can be incredibly painful – in worst-case scenarios, the internal damage it may cause can even be fatal."

Read more about the dangers of grass seeds for dogs here.

What to read next:

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The best outdoor heater to keep you warm at night

The best artificial grass

The best petrol lawnmowers for larger UK gardens

Lily Anderson is a writer at Bauer Media, where she tests products for titles such as Heat, Closer, What’s the Best and Mother&Baby

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