Best all-rounder
Multi Purpose Grass Seed
A finer-looking lawn than a hard-wearing mix, with enough ryegrass for everyday family use.
£67.50
£75.00
Save £7.50
Tax included. Delivery options shown at checkout.
Balanced by design60% fine fescues for density and finish.
Built for everyday use40% perennial ryegrass carries normal family wear.
First shoots in 7 to 14 daysThe fescues follow at 14 to 21 days.
Need the exact amount?Use the calculator before you choose a bag.
Germination tested seed. Follow the sowing guide for best results.
Next working day where availableOrder by noon, Mon–Fri; check checkout
Returns within 14 daysUnopened seed; see delivery & returns
Seed adviceSee the sowing guide below
40% perennial ryegrass · 40% slender creeping red fescue · 20% strong creeping red fescue · Backed by Barenbrug
What makes this different
One mix for the whole lawn
Hard-wearing mixes put durability first. Ornamental mixes put appearance first. This blend sits between them, with three grasses doing three different jobs.
Fast enough to establish
Perennial ryegrass gives the first green cover. It is 40% of the bag and usually shows in the opening fortnight, while the two fescues are still coming.
Fine enough for the front lawn
Slender creeping red fescue improves texture and density. It is the finer of the two fescues we use, and it is what stops this reading as a playing-field lawn.
Able to repair thin patches
Strong creeping red fescue spreads below the surface. It sends runners through the soil, so small gaps knit closed instead of opening out into bare ground.
The detail
Specifications & characteristics
Specifications
Sowing rate25 to 35 g/m²
Germination7 to 14 days (ryegrass) · 14 to 21 days (red fescues)
Mowing heightDown to 12mm
Mixture40% perennial ryegrass · 40% slender fescue · 20% strong fescue
Bag sizes5 / 10 / 20 kg
Best sownApril to early October
Characteristics
Fineness of leaf★★★★★
Density★★★★★
Wear tolerance★★★★★
Speed of establishment★★★★★
Drought tolerance★★★★★
Shade tolerance★★★★★
Five mixes, five different jobs
Where Multi Purpose sits in the range
Five lawn mixes can sound similar. Their species balance gives each one a different job.
Which mix is right for you
Hard Wearing
80% ryegrassWear matters more than a fine finish
80% ryegrassWear matters more than a fine finish
Value
60% ryegrass · 40% strong fescuePrice matters most for a general lawn
60% ryegrass · 40% strong fescuePrice matters most for a general lawn
Multi Purpose ← you are here
40% ryegrass · 60% fine fescuesYou want one balanced lawn for normal use
40% ryegrass · 60% fine fescuesYou want one balanced lawn for normal use
Ultimate
50% ryegrass · 50% slender fescueYou want the finest finish that still takes use
50% ryegrass · 50% slender fescueYou want the finest finish that still takes use
Traditional
100% fescueYou want a formal lawn with little traffic
100% fescueYou want a formal lawn with little traffic
Will it work in my garden?
Will it suit your garden?
One lawn usually has to do several ordinary jobs. Here is where this mix fits and where a specialist one is the better buy.
Front and back lawns
Its main job
New lawns and renovation
Works for both
Normal family use
Ryegrass carries the wear
Slight shade
Fine fescues help
Heavy daily wear
Choose Hard Wearing
Wet ground or deep shade
Choose the specialist mix
Plan the lawn
Get the right amount before you sow
Enter your lawn size or check this is the right mix before you sow.
Product details
How it grows, what it suits and what to expect
The practical detail behind the mix, from germination timing to reviews and specifications.
What’s really in the bag
Three grasses, three different jobs
40% ryegrass and 60% fine fescues, and none of the three is doing the other two’s work.
The science40% perennial ryegrass
Green cover first and strength for everyday use
Perennial ryegrass usually shows in 7 to 14 days. It gives the lawn its wear tolerance and helps it recover after normal family use.
The science40% slender creeping red fescue
A finer, denser finish
Slender fescue has fine leaves and strong summer-to-autumn growth. It improves the lawn’s finish without removing everyday usefulness.
The science20% strong creeping red fescue
Thin patches can knit closed
Strong creeping red fescue sends rhizomes through the soil. These underground stems help the lawn spread and repair small gaps.
When you’ll see green
Three grasses, two visible waves
The ryegrass shows first and both fescues follow, so a patchy first fortnight is exactly what it should look like.
Day 0
Sow, rake in and water
Days 7 to 14
Ryegrass gives the first green haze
Days 14 to 21
Both fescues fill and refine the surface
About six weeks
Make the first light cut, tips only
Customer reviews
What real gardeners say
Let’s clear this one up
“Multi purpose means it is best at everything.”
The expectation
“It says multi purpose, so it should handle whatever my garden throws at it.”
A fair reading of the name, and one we would rather correct now than in a support email. Balance is not the same as being best at everything.
The honest answer
It means the mix balances several jobs.
Choose a specialist mix for heavy wear, deep shade, wet clay or a formal ornamental finish. For one lawn doing several ordinary jobs, this is the bag.
40% ryegrass gives everyday wear tolerance.
60% fine fescues improve density, finish and recovery.
No surprises
What to expect, and who it’s not for
We would rather set this straight now than have you disappointed later.
What to expect
- Ryegrass appears first.
- Fine fescues make the lawn denser during weeks two and three.
- The finished lawn balances appearance and normal use.
Good to know
- It is not the right mix for a football pitch at home. Choose Hard Wearing.
- It is not the right mix for deep shade or standing water. Choose Shaded Areas or Wet Soils & Clay.
- It is not as fine as Ultimate or Traditional.
Questions, answered
Before you buy
What makes this different from Hard Wearing?
Hard Wearing is 80% ryegrass and built for a lawn that takes a beating. This is 40% ryegrass and 60% fine fescues, so it looks finer and still carries normal family use. If the lawn is used hard every day, buy Hard Wearing.
What makes this different from Ultimate?
Ultimate is 50% ryegrass and 50% slender creeping red fescue, the finer of the two fescues, and it gives the finest finish in the range that still takes use. This mix trades a little of that finish for a lower price and a more everyday lawn.
How long will it take to germinate?
The ryegrass shows in 7 to 14 days and both red fescues follow at 14 to 21. A patchy first fortnight is what it should look like.
Can I use it to overseed an existing lawn?
Yes. Rake out the thatch so the seed reaches soil, sow, and keep the top 10 to 15mm moist. The strong creeping fescue spreads sideways and blends it in.
Will it grow in shade?
In slight shade, yes. The fine fescues help. For real shade under trees or a north-facing fence, choose Shaded Areas.
Can I sow after using moss killer?
If you used moss killer or another lawn treatment, check its label before sowing. Waiting periods vary by product.
How much seed do I need?
Pop in your lawn size and we’ll do the maths.
Not sure this is the one?
Answer a few quick questions about your garden and we’ll point you to the perfect mix.
Find your perfect seed