6 Best Grass Seed For Sandy Soil – Buying Guide & FAQs

Finding the best grass seed for your new lawn will require a lot of careful research and picking a seed that thrives well in your soil. For instance, if you have a very sand-rich earth content throughout your yard instead of a heavy clay soil, you may find that some grasses just can not grow smoothly or efficiently for your needs.

Thankfully, many different sandy soil types of growing grass can create an excellent look for your yard. Our experts have carefully tested the following six seeds to confirm their benefits. We believe that each turfgrass species option is suitable for specific people with a sandy soil type and a low mowing height need, and will make your yard appealing for years to come.

Our Top 3 Best Grass Seed for Sandy Soil

1. Best Overall: Scotts Turf Builder Zoysia Grass Seed

2. Runner Up: Jonathan Green Heavy-Traffic Grass Seed

3. Best Budget Buy: Pennington Smart Seed Bermuda Grass Seed

Product Reviews for the Best Sandy Soil Grasses

#1. Scotts Turf Builder Zoysia Grass Mulch and Seed

This unique option for zoysia grass is the best grass on our list for several reasons. First of all, it has an intense root system that spread far and wide in sandy soils. This spread is critical because sandy soils don’t retain a lot of water, making this process much harder for some grasses to settle. Thankfully, the extended root system of zoysia grass seed ensures that it gets enough water.

Even better, this grass has naturally strong drought tolerance that makes it an excellent choice for many areas. We found that this grass variety grew very well near beaches and in other sandy soils, making it an ideal option for these areas. Make sure to identify spots that would do well with this grass before you try it with perennial ryegrass or other species.

Pros:

• Spreads quickly with nitrogen and phosphorous fertilizer
• Perfect for southern lawns
• It creates a very bright green look

Cons:

• It tends to brown quickly in cold weather
• May spread slowly without fertilization

---

#2. Jonathan Green Heavy-Traffic Grass Seed

In our tests and examinations of the various grass species on the market, we found that this Bahia grass seed was among the strongest for sandy soils for a few reasons. First of all, it has an intense root system that helps it spread in sand and prevents shifting soils. This benefit is critical because we’ve found that grass with shallower root systems tends to move more quickly in wind and rainy conditions.

And in our tests, we also found that this grass was very resistant to drought, creating a healthy option that is perfect for a large lawn. And since it doesn’t require a lot of maintenance to go to seed, it is a strong option for homeowners who don’t want to do a lot of difficult work on their lawn. It also does reasonably well in partial shade, especially compared to Cultivar and other similar options.

Pros:

• Very easy to grow in most lawn types
• Deep root system finds water sources with ease
• Spreads quickly across most lawn sizes

Cons:

• It possesses a pretty dull color
• It does not create a very dense lawn coverage area

---

#3. Pennington Smart Seed Bermuda Grass Seed

Bermuda grass is a species quite well known in many different areas of the country. We like this option because it costs a little less than other types due to its popularity and ease of growth. It requires soil that drains very well, which is what sand offers to the average homeowners. As a result, it spreads very well and can thrive in most sandy soils.

We also found that Bermuda grass also thrived in clay-rich areas, a massive benefit for those who have a mixture of different soil types in their yard. Those who live in very sunny regions may find that this option is easily the best pick for their overall grass-growing needs.

Pros:

• Creates a very dark green color
• Produces a thick and luxurious growth
• Simple and easy to grow

Cons:

• Requires a lot of sun to grow well
• May not always thrive in northern climates

---

#4. TifBlair Centipede Grass Seed

Don’t worry: centipede grass won’t attract those gross, stinging insects with which they share their name! Thankfully, this grass has nothing to do with those bugs but, instead, produces a very thick warm-season grass that thrives in sand. Planting grass centipede grass seeds in your lawn should create widespread growth that is easy to manage and quite attractive.

Our tests found that this grass type did not do very well in cloudy areas with minimal sun. But when planted in sunny locations with hot temperatures, few other types of grass were better. However, a few downsides made this option dip a bit on our list with time.

Pros:

• Spreads by stolons for easier grass growth ins and
• Simple to mow and fertilize
• Perfect for bright and sunny areas

Cons:

• Grows quite slowly
• Relatively coarse in its texture

---

#5. Hancock’s Argentine Bahia Grass Seed

Though this grass seed does tend to require frequent mowing, its fast spread and attractive look make it an excellent option for many lawns. We found that it needed minimal watering or fertilizing, ensuring that you aren’t spending your whole life tending to your property. We also liked the deep, dark green look that it produced, as it made yards look very attractive when adequately managed.

Our research labs found that Bahia grass produced an intense root system, much like our top choices. And these roots were quite strong, meaning you rarely had soil run-off problems or issues with pooling water. But a handful of concerns made this grass fall down our listing quite quickly on our list of high-quality turf grass, including low protection from peat moss and organic matter damage.

Pros:

• Does very well with minimal water
• The intense root system
• Fast spread across the lawn to produce green grass styles

Cons:

• Requires a lot of water to get its best look
• Will require frequent mowing due to quick growth speed

---

#6. Twin City Seed Co. Fescue Grass Seed

Unlike many of the grasses above, fescues can thrive very well in cooler climates. As a result, this cool season grass option is our top pick for northern areas with a lot of sandy soil. Our tests found that it possessed the type of deep root system familiar to most of the grass options we have mentioned. Thankfully, we found that it did well without a large amount of water and ensured faster spread.

Our researchers also found that the three different fescue grass options produce different looks and styles for your yard. For instance, creeping red fescue turf grows slowly but requires minimal upkeep. By contrast, tall fescue grass bunches well and spreads densely when you seed it profoundly and broadly enough when you plant fine fescue and other types of turfgrass and lawn grass.

Pros:

• A diverse range of species
• Mostly drought tolerant grass
• Durable in colder climates

Cons:

• Struggles with high temperatures
• It may look clumpy or patchy if poorly spread

---

Choosing the Best Grass Mixture Types

When you’re shopping for the best sandy soil grass seeds, you may find many dealers sell what they call grass seed mixes. These options are designed to suit specific lawn types and create different looks and styles for many homeowners. Fully understanding these seed mixtures will make it simpler for you to make a purchasing decision and ensure that you are satisfied with your lawn’s overall look and feel.

What is a Grass Seed Mixture?

Though most people buy one grass seed species when trying to grow in sandy soil, others may try a slightly different approach with a grass seed mix. This option is often a good choice because it helps to provide your lawn with a more diverse array of seeds from which to choose. As a result, some species’ benefits are enhanced, and mutual growth advantages decrease their downsides.

These blends are carefully chosen by lawn care professionals who strive to ensure that the selected grass is as blended as well as possible. Just as importantly, they strive to make sure that these warm season grass species blend well together based on color. Combining darker grass colors with lighter ones can produce a unique growth pattern that is very intriguing and handsome. Where you plant the seeds can also enhance this effect.

For example, you can plants seeds in strips or patterns on your lawn to create unique styles and effects that are hard to get otherwise. You can also enhance your overall style by focusing on densely growing grasses with looser types. Doing so helps to make your lawn look and feel more dense and attractive. Just as importantly, it will create the kind of lawn protection needed to avoid shifting soils and other types of problems.

Common Grass Seed Mixes

Tall fescue seeds are often the most common type of seed you’ll find a mixture. That’s because they are pretty strong, capable of filling in quite quickly on most lawns, and produce a dense look when properly planted. However, there are other options you may find in your grass, some of which may not be perfect for sandy soils. As a result, you need to make sure you read the bag to get the best overall planting success.

For instance, Kentucky bluegrass commonly shows up in many seed mixes. While there’s nothing wrong with this grass when planted in suitable soil, it isn’t always the best option for sandy areas. Though options like tall fescue may enhance its ability to grow smoothly in sand, we find that Kentucky bluegrass is best planted in somewhat clay-rich regions or those with a balance between sand and clay.

It is important to remember that most grass seed mixes utilize varieties of a single species rather than many different options. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t find some combinations that feature a few other species varieties. It all depends on your manufacturer and dealer. Try to find someone near you who fully understands your area’s natural demands and who can create an excellent seed mix that supports sandy soil most efficiently.

---

FAQ

Why is sandy soil so hard for grass?

Sandy soil doesn’t have a lot of natural density and has extensive and irregular patches that contain air pockets that make persistent grass growth more challenging for many homeowners. Sandy soil may also sometimes lack high-quality nutrients that help to feed the grass more effectively.

What types of roots are best for sandy soil?

Try to find grasses with horizontal roots, as these roots spread more quickly, hold the grass together more effectively, and tap into deep water sources more efficiently. However, vertical roots may be best for areas with severe drought conditions, as they more easily find deeply-hidden water sources.

Are all sandy soil grasses best in warm temperatures?

We found that a large number of these grasses were suited for sandy soil conditions but also believe that a large number of species acclimate well to colder temperatures. Make sure to read your grass seed bag before you buy it to ensure that you are growing your seeds in the best climate.

Where should these grasses be planted in a yard?

Try to focus your grasses of this type in areas that get a lot of sun, as most sandy soil grasses need a lot of UV exposure to spread smoothly and evenly throughout your yard. You may need to provide better water access or even treat your grass with artificial UV rays in shady areas if you feel it isn’t strong enough.

Is lawn aeration a wise choice?

The benefits of lawn aeration for your sandy soil may vary depending on the soil’s density and how far the roots of your grass have grown or need to grow throughout the ground. Make sure to research the different aeration options available to get the best results for your lawn’s needs.

Our Verdict

As you can see, many different types of grass seeds can thrive well in sandy soils. We found that Scotts Turf Builder Zoysia Grass Mulch and Seed is the best overall grass seed for sandy soil. If you’re still unsure which choice is right for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us today to learn more. Our professionals will help you find the best possible decisions, narrowing down your options to include sandy soil grasses that meet your needs and feel the most effective for your overall lawn care.