If you’ve ever looked at a golf course and thought, “How is their grass always THAT nice?”, here’s the fun part: that level of lawn isn’t reserved for fairways.

The same quality seed blends that create that clean, professional look can be used at home too. Whether you want low-maintenance and tough, or lush and showy, the secret is choosing the right mix for your conditions.

Step 1: Match the seed to your lawn 
(this is everything)

Different lawns need different blends. Sun exposure, soil type, traffic, and watering habits all change what will thrive.

Here are Ritchie’s most popular seed mixes, and what they’re best at:

Ritchie’s Low Maintenance EcoGrass

Best for: the toughest spots + drought tolerance
This is our hardiest grass seed mix and extremely drought tolerant. We recommend it for hard-to-grow areas like cottages or over septic beds, places where you want strong results with less babysitting.

Coverage:

• 1 kg covers 1000 ft² (overseeding)
• 1 kg covers 500 ft² (brand new lawn)

Ritchie QuickGrass (Sun & Shade)

Best for: reliable “works almost anywhere” lawns
QuickGrass is great for both sun and shade while still being extremely drought tolerant, this is our most popular all-purpose mix.

Coverage:

• 1 kg covers 1000 ft² (overseeding)
• 1 kg covers 500 ft² (brand new lawn)

Composition:

• 45% Creeping Red Fescue
• 40% Perennial Rye Grass
• 15% Kentucky Blue Grass

Ritchie Greenland (Full Sun Premium Mix)

Best for: that lush, dark green “neighbour envy” lawn
Greenland is our premium mix with a higher percentage of Kentucky Bluegrass. It’s ideally suited for sunny, well-irrigated areas where you want the best-looking turf possible.

Coverage:

• 1 kg covers 1000 ft² (overseeding)
• 1 kg covers 500 ft² (brand new lawn)

Composition:

• 30% Creeping Red Fescue
• 30% Kentucky Blue Grass
• 40% Perennial Rye Grass

Ritchie Shady Lawn (Quick Shade)

Best for: shade to part shade, still keeps a manicured look
Shady Lawn is excellent for lower-light yards while staying drought tolerant and easy to maintain.

Coverage:

• 1 kg covers 1000 ft² (overseeding)
• 1 kg covers 500 ft² (brand new lawn)

Composition:

• 50% Creeping Red Fescue
• 30% Perennial Ryegrass
• 5% Chewing Red Fescue
• 15% Kentucky Bluegrass

Step 2: Best time to sow grass
(weather, season, temperature)

Grass seed success is mostly about timing, because seed needs warmth + moisture, but not heat stress.

Best seasons in Zones 4–6

Fall (best overall)

Cool nights + warm soil + fewer weeds = easier germination and stronger roots.

Spring (great for repairs + new lawns)

Works well, but weed pressure can be higher and you’ll need consistent watering as temperatures rise.

Best “feels like” weather

• Mild, steady days
• No extreme heat
• A stretch of days where you can keep the surface consistently moist

Best soil temperature (simple guideline)

• Aim for soil that’s roughly 10–18°C for reliable germination (cool, but active).
• If soil is still icy-cold, seed can sit and struggle. If it’s too hot, seedlings stress fast.

Step 3: Grass seed types you can sow alone (available in-store)

Sometimes you don’t need a blend, you need a specific grass type for a specific problem area. We carry individual seed options in-store, and here’s what each is generally best for:

Creeping Red Fescue

• Great for shade, low maintenance, and drought tolerance
• Often used for lawns that don’t get heavy traffic

Perennial Ryegrass

• Fast germination = quick green-up and patch repair
• Great for high traffic and overseeding worn areas

Kentucky Bluegrass

• The “lush lawn” grass, rich colour and thick turf
• Best in sunny, well-watered areas and fills in over time

Chewings Fescue

• Fine texture, shade-friendly, low-maintenance look
• Good for ornamental lawns and mixed light conditions

(If you tell us your sun/shade and how you use the yard, we can recommend whether a blend or a straight seed makes the most sense.)

Step 4: Accessories that help keep your lawn “perfect”

Great seed is the start, but consistency is what makes it look golf-course level.

Here are the most useful lawn tools and add-ons:

For seeding success

• Seed spreader (even coverage = even lawn)
• Lawn rake (for seed-to-soil contact)
• Topdressing material (helps seed stay moist and protected)
• Roller (optional, but great for firm seed contact)

For healthier turf

• Fertilizer (timed right for the season, not overdone)
• Soil or lawn test kit (helps you stop guessing)
• Aerator (for compaction and better root health)
• Overseeding plan (thick lawns crowd out weeds naturally)

For day-to-day upkeep

• Good hose/sprinkler for consistent watering
• Sharp mower blade (clean cuts = healthier grass)
• Leaf rake or blower (smothered grass = thin grass)

Good grass starts with the right seed, and the right match for your conditions. Whether you want low-maintenance and hardy, or lush and showy, there’s a Ritchie mix that’s built for your yard.

Not sure which one fits your lawn?

Tell us: sun vs shade, traffic level, and your biggest issue (thin spots, drought, shade), and we’ll point you to the perfect mix and the best time to sow it.