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Old Cobblers Farm™ Wicked Tuff Turf Contractor's Mix
Economical 4-species lawn blend for large-scale seeding. Fast Annual Ryegrass green-up at 30-40% lower seed cost. Construction, rental, commercial properties.
Growing Guides & Fertilizer Education
An economical four-species blend for large-scale seeding projects where budget matters and coverage is the primary goal. The 30% Annual Ryegrass provides extremely fast initial green-up at lower seed cost than perennial species, while Creeping Red Fescue and Tall Fescue develop the permanent stand. Annual Ryegrass seed costs 30-40% less per pound than Perennial Ryegrass, reducing overall mix cost while delivering the same fast-establishment benefits. The tradeoff: Annual Ryegrass dies after one season, so year-two appearance depends on the permanent species.
Category
Mix
Type
Lawn Mix
Scientific Name
Multi-species blend
Zones
3-7
Brand
Wicked Tuff Turf
What Is It ?
An economical four-species blend for large-scale seeding projects where budget matters and coverage is the primary goal. The 30% Annual Ryegrass provides extremely fast initial green-up at lower seed cost than perennial species, while Creeping Red Fescue and Tall Fescue develop the permanent stand. Annual Ryegrass seed costs 30-40% less per pound than Perennial Ryegrass, reducing overall mix cost while delivering the same fast-establishment benefits. The tradeoff: Annual Ryegrass dies after one season, so year-two appearance depends on the permanent species.
How to Apply ?
Step 1
Grade and remove construction debris
Step 2
Apply starter fertilizer
Step 3
Spread seed (6-8 lbs/1k sq ft new; 3-4 lbs overseed)
Step 4
Rake or drag to incorporate; roll/compact
Step 5
Water consistently for 2-3 weeks
Step 6
First mow at 4"; plan overseeding in year two
Best For
New construction seeding (large areas on tight budgets)|Rental property lawns|Commercial properties prioritizing cost efficiency|Large rural properties (1+ acres)|Situations where fast initial coverage matters most|Good-enough lawns that don't need showcase quality
FAQs
1.
What is a contractor's mix?
A contractor's mix is an economical multi-species lawn seed blend designed for large-scale seeding projects where budget and fast coverage matter more than premium appearance. The Wicked Tuff Turf Contractor's Mix contains 30% creeping red fescue, 30% tall fescue, 30% annual ryegrass, and 10% perennial ryegrass. It is designed for new construction seeding, rental properties, commercial lots, and large rural properties (1+ acres) where cost-per-square-foot drives the purchasing decision.
2.
What does 85/80 Kentucky bluegrass mean in this mix?
Annual ryegrass seed costs 30-40% less per pound than perennial ryegrass, which reduces overall mix cost significantly at 30% of the blend. Annual ryegrass also germinates in 3-5 days—the fastest of any grass—providing immediate green coverage and erosion control. The tradeoff is that annual ryegrass dies after one season, so year-two appearance depends on the permanent species (creeping red fescue, tall fescue, perennial ryegrass) filling the vacated space.
3.
How much clover is in the All Purpose Lawn Mix and will it be visible?
Year one is dominated by annual ryegrass—fast, green, uniform, slightly coarser texture. The lawn looks good quickly. Year two: annual ryegrass dies and gaps appear where it dominated. Creeping red fescue, tall fescue, and perennial ryegrass fill in, creating more textural variation. Some thin spots may need overseeding. Year three and beyond: the permanent stand stabilizes with tall fescue dominant in sunny areas and creeping red fescue in shade. Plan for light overseeding in year two.
4.
What is the seeding rate for the Contractor's Mix?
Seed the Contractor's Mix at 6-8 lbs per 1,000 sq ft for new lawns, or 175-225 lbs per acre for large projects. For overseeding, use 4-5 lbs per 1,000 sq ft. This mix is designed for broadcast seeding on prepared or rough seedbeds—it is more forgiving of imperfect soil preparation than premium mixes because the annual ryegrass component germinates aggressively in suboptimal conditions.
5.
Does the Contractor's Mix contain Kentucky bluegrass?
The All Purpose Mix performs in 3-8+ hours of direct sunlight. Optimal performance is at 4-6 hours. In shadier spots (3-4 hours), creeping red fescue carries the stand. In full sun (8+ hours), tall fescue tends to dominate over time. For less than 3 hours of direct sun, the Sun & Shade Mix is a better choice with its 65% fine fescue content designed specifically for heavy shade. The All Purpose is best described as a moderate-shade-tolerant blend.
6.
What fertilizer program does the All Purpose Lawn Mix need?
Apply 2-3 lbs nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft annually, with the white clover component providing an additional 0.5-1 lb N through biological fixation. Fall fertilization (September-October in zones 4-6) produces the best results. A simple program: 1 lb N per 1,000 sq ft in September, 1 lb in late October, and optionally 0.5-1 lb in late May. Avoid heavy spring nitrogen which promotes disease and weed pressure. Slow-release or organic fertilizers complement the clover's natural fertility contribution.
7
When is the best time to plant the Contractor's Mix?
Plant in late summer to early fall (August-September) for best permanent establishment, or in spring (April-May) for projects that cannot wait. The Contractor's Mix also works for late-season seedings through October because the annual ryegrass component germinates at lower soil temperatures than most lawn grasses. For construction projects with hard deadlines, this mix provides visible green coverage within 5-7 days regardless of planting season—the annual ryegrass component ensures fast results.