The type of grass seed mix you use will be partially dependent on your management goals. Commercial suppliers often have seed mixes for different purposes. The key is to get a mix that will grow well in your area and suit your needs. For example, fast-growing annual or perennial non-native grasses and cereal grains are typically used for erosion control. If wildlife habitat is high on your list of priorities, then you should choose a mix that has wildlife value.
When applying the seed, make sure you sow in two directions to achieve uniform distribution across the site. Seed is often then covered with a thin layer of straw (not hay) to prevent it from being blown away in the wind. Straw mulch can also help with soil moisture retention and decrease the amount of seed that birds and rodents feed on.
Contact your local Cooperative Extension or Natural Resources Conservation Service office for recommendations of grass seed mixes that do best in your area and the application rates (pounds per acre) used.
