Grass Seed

• Are your grass seeds genetically modified?

  No. The advancements in our varieties are obtained by traditional cross-hybridization – or cross-breeding. This is accomplished by selecting parent plants for their specific traits and then transferring the pollen from one plant to the pistillate parts of the other plant, creating a new generation of plants with characteristics of the parent plants. Genetically modified...

• Dense Shade vs Shady Nooks Grass Seed?

  Jonathan Green’s Black Beauty® Shady Nooks Grass Seed is our most shade-tolerant grass seed mixture. It survives well in either damp or dry soils, of up to 90% deep shade, where other grasses fail. Black Beauty® Dense Shade Grass Seed contains shade-tolerant varieties that will grow well under trees and in up to 70% shade...

• Does grass seed expire?

  If grass seed was kept dry and out of the sun, it should be good for 2 years from the purchase date. For all other products, they are fine to use if kept dry and out of the sun. If any clumps have occurred due to humidity, break up the clumps before spreading.

• How to grow grass in the shade?

  Growing a lawn in the shade can be challenging. Our number one recommendation is to use a grass seed mixture designed for the shade like Jonathan Green Shady Nooks or Dense Shade.   Here are some other tips: Remove trees or thin out some branches to allow more sunlight to enter the area Apply Jonathan Green Mag-I-Cal...

• How to store grass seed?

  Store grass seed in a cool, dry place out of the sun. Leave it in its original bag and place it on something that will allow air to flow under it, like a milk crate for example. 

• What is in each of your grass seed mixtures?

  Please visit our Product Fact Sheets for a list of varieties in each mixture.   

• What is the difference between Black Beauty Original vs Ultra?

  The main difference is Black Beauty Original® Grass Seed is a blend of 3 turf-type tall fescue grasses, and Black Beauty Ultra® Grass Seed is a mixture of primarily turf-type tall fescue grasses along with the additional varieties of Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass. Black Beauty Ultra combines all the benefits of our Black Beauty...

• What is your most heat tolerant grass seed?

  Our Black Beauty Original is the most heat tolerant as it contains a blend of 3 tall fescues. 

• When is the best time to seed your lawn?

  Fall is an ideal time for seeding your lawn or establishing a new lawn. This is because the soil is warm, adequate rainfall usually occurs, the temperatures start to drop and the weed competition gradually lessens. Please visit our Seeding Guide for complete directions. Seeding can be accomplished during the spring when soil temperatures warm. It will...

• Why did my grass not grow?

  There are many reasons that contribute to why grass seed does not grow as expected. It is important to identify why your grass seed did not grow in order to be successful in the future and to avoid experiencing additional frustrations. Oftentimes, the problem is believed to be the grass seed, but there are numerous...

• Will Black Beauty grass seed hurt my septic system leach field?

  No. Despite Black Beauty grass seed’s deep root system, it will not negatively impact your leach field. Keep your field in great shape by keeping the soil loose, aerated, and free of excess water. Planting grass can help with this as the grass plants will prevent erosion and suck up some of the excess moisture...

• Will Jonathan Green grass grow in my area?

  Jonathan Green’s grass seed, including all Black Beauty varieties, are cool-season grasses, and will grow in the yellow areas show on the diagram below. If you live in any of the yellow highlighted regions of the map than our grass seed is right for your area.   

• Will new grass seed blend in with my existing lawn?

  It depends…  If you are overseeding your lawn- yes Our grass seed will blend into your lawn while improving it’s look and quality. The lawn will be more dark-green, more drought and disease resistant, and will very likely start to out-compete your weeds and existing lawn in time.   If you are using new grass...