In Indiana, housing prices and inventory are sky-high, signaling new urban and suburban growth in the Crossroads of America. And the pride and joy of every new homeowner is a green, leafy front-yard lawn. 

However, many Indiana residents are surprised to find the soil beneath them is thin and of poor quality. In fact, lawn experts say they could face persistent issues brought on by drought or pests, if the seeds even sprout at all.

There are plenty of grass seeds you can grow in Indiana, but if you plant the wrong one, you'll have a brown, patchy lawn. That's why we've created this list of best grass seeds for Indiana.

 

Growing Conditions in Indiana

Miami Soil is the official state soil of Indiana. You can find it in many different places around IndianaMiami soils are well-drained and provide good fertility for agriculture with moderate water capacity.

This rich, black earth was formed in the harsh conditions 18 inches thick and made from loess or silty material on rolling hills with calcareous soils beneath it. The native vegetation consists mainly of hardwoods that thrive on the runoff from the soil's efficient drainage.

 

Image source

Much of the soil of Indiana is a fine sandy loam that formed from decayed wood. This soil has many nutrients but lacks some trace elements, such as potassium and magnesium. The deeper layers of this soil are more fertile than ground-level ones due to different organic matter from drainage runoff.

 

Best Times to Plant Grass Seed in Indiana

The time of year you plant your lawn will depend on the grass seed type and the climate. Planting grass seed during Fall is best, but early Spring may be another option for those with warmer temperatures who want greener grass all year round.

 

Best Grasses to Plant in Indiana

Zoysiagrass 

Zoysia grass is among the best (and one of the only) warm-season grasses for seed in Indiana. This choice is best for brown lawns that don't get much rainwater or lack fertilization and care. Zoysia Grass greens up very fast when it rains. 

Zoysia also requires little watering and maintenance because it has a superior grass roots system compared to other grass varieties. It's the only warm season grass grown in Indiana, although you can get away with a few others in the southern regions.

 

Kentucky Bluegrass

Kentucky bluegrass is the most common grass types for lawns because it grows well in nearly every climate. This grass prefers full sun and good soil moisture, but it can adapt to drought conditions. 

It's not advisable to plant Kentucky Bluegrass in the Fall as it won't germinate until Spring comes around, but it performs well when you plant in the Spring when the soil is moist.

 

Tall Fescue

Tall fescue is a popular choice for those who want a low maintenance lawn, but it does require a fair amount of fertilizer and water to grow properly. It's not advised that you plant tall fescue during the hot summer months as this type of grass prefers cooler weather.

 

Fine Fescue

Fine fescues are not as common or popular as other types, but they can also be excellent for poor soil. This type of grass is moderately shade tolerant, but it isn't drought tolerant.

 

Perennial Ryegrass

Ryegrasses have better germination if they are planted in the Spring when they can grow all summer long. If planted during Fall, the results will be more successful when fertilized with nitrogen when spring rolls around—especially if you live in an infertile soil zone. 

This type of grass prefers full sun and is excellent for drought regions.

 

Top Grass Seed Mixtures for Indiana Lawns & Pastures

For Shady Lawns

Fine Fescue mix is a perfect cool-season grass for those who live in chilly northern climates. It combines four low-growing fine fescues, including hard sheep chewings and creeping red variety, to create an attractive yet durable lawn that thrives under minimal watering conditions with little fertilizer required!

 

For Sunny Green Lawns

80/20 bluegrass and ryegrass are the perfect combination to make a beautiful Kentucky Bluegrass lawn. The slow-growing green species will come in later on for color while quickly establishing themselves as well. So you can enjoy your new grass sooner than expected! 

This seed mix is designed specifically with the northern regions of America, such as California up through Michigan, in mind. It's also popular among people with residential areas or sports turf where children play outside often due to its durability under pressure from traffic.

 

For Pasture & Grazing

When it comes to growing pasture grass in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic area, more than one type of seed is often needed. The climate can be tricky with wide temperature variations.

In winter months, frosts occur. And summer is too hot without irrigation requirements since high humidity levels are common throughout this part of America. So, you should choose a grass seed that can survive both.

This Indiana pasture mix includes bluegrass, meadow brome, turf-type tall fescue, orchardgrass, and a sprinkling of Alfalfa seeds to help encourage high-quality forage with a very high nutrient value.

 

For Erosion Control

People often use this grass mix for erosion control. Wheatgrass, ryegrass, and bluegrass are all plants that grow quickly to stop soil loss while they knit together the ground. This helps turf stand strong against rainstorms or windblown dust storms. 

This grass seed blend is excellent if you want animals grazing on your land, since goats love eating tall grasses.

 

Conclusion

An alkaline soil and generally low elevation make Indiana the perfect place for cool-season grasses. Many homeowners love planting new lawn seeds and getting that beautiful green color in their front or back yards! 

The best ones to choose from are Kentucky Bluegrasses because they have a great root system and excellent wear tolerance. Tall fescues varieties can also work well depending on what you're looking for.

Getting these high quality products is easy. Nature's Seed offers large packages at affordable prices and premeasured starter kits tailored exactly to your specific project's goals. And if you're not sure where to start, our Seed Selector tool can help you choose the best grasses in just a few clicks.

So whether you're looking for grass seeds, wildflower seeds, or organic compost, you can find exactly what you need at Nature's Seed.