★ Fastest Cover — 3-5 Days
Best Annual Ryegrass Seed: The Fastest Temporary Cover for Erosion Control, Nurse Cropping & Emergency Seeding
Old Cobblers Farm™ Wicked Tuff Turf Annual Ryegrass
by Wicked Tuff Turf — Littleton, New Hampshire
Annual Ryegrass
Lolium multiflorum
"The emergency grass. 3-5 day germination at soil temperatures as low as 45°F makes Annual Ryegrass the fastest cover crop available. Cheap, tough, adaptable, and disposable — it does its job and gets out of the way for permanent species."
Visible green: 3-5
Establishment
Zones 3-8
Hardiness Range
Low
Maintenance
Grass
Category
3-5 Day Germination
Germinates at 45°F
Lowest Cost Per Pound
Construction Site Standard
Essential Nurse Crop
Any Soil, Any Condition
One Season Lifespan
Trusted by 20,000+ Growers
| Species | Annual Ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) |
| Growth Habit | Bunch-type, upright. Dies after one season. |
| Root Depth | 3-4 inches |
| Establishment | Visible green: 3-5 days. Full coverage: 10-14 days. Dies next summer. |
| Hardiness Zones | 3-8 |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Category | Grass |
| Available Sizes | 1 lb | 5 lb | 10 lb | 25 lb |
What We Love
- Fastest germination of any grass (3-5 days)
- Germinates at 45°F — latest plantable species
- Lowest cost per pound of any grass seed
- Establishes in any soil condition
- Essential nurse crop for permanent species
Worth Noting
- Dies after one season — not permanent
- Coarser texture than perennial ryegrass
Buy on Old Cobblers Farm →
Available in 1 lb | 5 lb | 10 lb | 25 lb
The Competition
Turf Builder Quick Fix (Annual Mix)
by Scotts
Purity: ~50%, Germ: 85%, Coated
Purity / Germ
Sizes3, 7 lb
Price$15 - $30
Annual Ryegrass
by Pennington
Purity: ~50%, Germ: 90%, Coated
Purity / Germ
Sizes10, 25, 50 lb
Price$25 - $80
Annual Ryegrass
by Outsidepride
Purity: ~98%, Germ: 90%, Uncoated
Purity / Germ
Sizes5, 10, 25, 50 lb
Price$25 - $80
Annual Ryegrass
by Hancock Seed
Purity: ~98%, Germ: 90%, Uncoated
Purity / Germ
Sizes10, 25, 50 lb
Price$20 - $70
Annual Ryegrass
by Deer Creek Seed
Purity: ~98%, Germ: 90%, Uncoated
Purity / Germ
Sizes5, 10, 25, 50 lb
Price$20 - $70
Fast Grow (Rye Base)
by Jonathan Green
Purity: ~95%, Germ: 90%, Uncoated
Purity / Germ
Sizes3, 7, 15 lb
Price$15 - $50
Annual Ryegrass
by Mountain View
Purity: ~95%, Germ: 90%, Uncoated
Purity / Germ
Sizes10, 50 lb
Price$20 - $75
Annual Ryegrass
by Seedland
Purity: ~98%, Germ: 90%, Uncoated
Purity / Germ
Sizes10, 50 lb
Price$30 - $70
Annual Ryegrass
by DLF Pickseed
Purity: ~98%, Germ: 90%, Uncoated
Purity / Germ
Sizes50 lb
Price$70
Panterra Annual Ryegrass
by Barenbrug
Purity: ~98%, Germ: 90%, Uncoated
Purity / Germ
Sizes50 lb
Price$85
| Feature | Old Cobblers Farm™ Wicked Tuff Turf Annual Ryegrass | Turf Builder Quick Fix (Annual Mix) | Annual Ryegrass | Annual Ryegrass | Annual Ryegrass | Annual Ryegrass | Fast Grow (Rye Base) | Annual Ryegrass | Annual Ryegrass | Annual Ryegrass | Panterra Annual Ryegrass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purity / Germ | Purity: ~50%, Germ: 85%, Coated | Purity: ~50%, Germ: 90%, Coated | Purity: ~98%, Germ: 90%, Uncoated | Purity: ~98%, Germ: 90%, Uncoated | Purity: ~98%, Germ: 90%, Uncoated | Purity: ~95%, Germ: 90%, Uncoated | Purity: ~95%, Germ: 90%, Uncoated | Purity: ~98%, Germ: 90%, Uncoated | Purity: ~98%, Germ: 90%, Uncoated | Purity: ~98%, Germ: 90%, Uncoated | |
| Sizes | 1 lb | 5 lb | 10 lb | 25 lb | 3, 7 lb | 10, 25, 50 lb | 5, 10, 25, 50 lb | 10, 25, 50 lb | 5, 10, 25, 50 lb | 3, 7, 15 lb | 10, 50 lb | 10, 50 lb | 50 lb | 50 lb |
| Price | $15 - $30 | $25 - $80 | $25 - $80 | $20 - $70 | $20 - $70 | $15 - $50 | $20 - $75 | $30 - $70 | $70 | $85 | |
| Brand | Old Cobblers Farm | Scotts | Pennington | Outsidepride | Hancock Seed | Deer Creek Seed | Jonathan Green | Mountain View | Seedland | DLF Pickseed | Barenbrug |
Frequently Asked Questions
-
How long does it take for the seed to germinate?
Germination typically occurs within 7-14 days under optimal conditions with consistent moisture and temperatures between 60-75°F.
-
What is the best time of year to plant this grass seed?
The ideal planting times are early fall (late August to mid-October) or spring (mid-April to early June) when soil temperatures are favorable for germination.
-
What do the numbers on the seed tag mean?
The seed tag shows purity percentage (amount of pure seed), germination rate (percentage that will sprout), weed seed content, and other crop or inert matter. Higher purity and germination percentages indicate better quality seed.
-
What is the recommended seeding rate per 1,000 square feet?
For new lawns, apply 3-4 pounds per 1,000 square feet. For overseeding existing lawns, use 2-3 pounds per 1,000 square feet.
-
Is it better to use a single species or a seed mix?
A single species like Kentucky Bluegrass provides uniformity in color and texture, while a mix offers better disease resistance and adaptability to varying conditions. Your choice depends on your priorities for appearance versus resilience.
