You mow every week. You water when it’s dry. But still, your lawn looks patchy and thin, like a threadbare rug that’s seen better days. Guests walk across it and your bare spots stare back at you. It’s frustrating because you’ve put in the work, yet the grass refuses to fill in.
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The wrong fertilizer is often the culprit. Many products promise a thicker lawn but deliver mostly nitrogen with nothing to actually repair damaged soil or fill gaps. What actually works is a targeted combination of seed, nutrients, and soil conditioners matched to your grass type and growing conditions. Different lawns need different things—some need fast green-up, others need deep root growth, and some need a total restart with seed built right in.
We sorted through dozens of options and picked five that actually deliver. Two are from Scotts in their Thick’R Lawn line (one for cool-season blends, one for Bermudagrass), two are liquid concentrates from Simple Lawn Solutions (a quick-green booster and a growth stimulant), and one is a soluble supplement from The Andersons that packs a lot of nutrition in a small bag. Below you’ll find a quick comparison table, then a deep look at each product to help you decide which one fits your yard.
Here’s a snapshot of how these five products stack up against each other.
| Features | Scotts Thick’R Lawn Sun & Shade | Scotts Thick’R Lawn Bermudagrass | Simple Lawn Energizer | The Andersons Super Juice | Simple Lawn Growth Booster |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Seed + fertilizer + soil improver | Seed + fertilizer + soil improver | Liquid concentrate | Dry soluble granules | Liquid concentrate |
| Coverage | 1,000 sq ft per 10 lb bag | 1,200 sq ft per 12 lb bag | Up to 12,000 sq ft per gallon | Up to 2 acres (half-rate) | Up to 12,000 sq ft per gallon |
| Key nutrient | Fertilizer blend + seed | Fertilizer blend + seed | 6% Nitrogen + 5% Iron | 4% Iron + humic + kelp | Growth stimulant + humic |
| Best for | Thin cool-season lawns with sun & shade | Bermudagrass lawns that need thickening | Quick deep green color | Supplemental feeding and soil health | New sod and seedling establishment |
| Application | Late spring and late summer | Late spring to early summer | Spring, summer, or fall | Any time as supplement | Spring and summer |
Scotts Turf Builder Thick’R Lawn Sun & Shade
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The one you buy when your lawn is thin in spots and you don’t want to guess which seed to use.
Scotts designed this product for the classic suburban lawn that has some sunny patches, some shady corners, and a few bare areas that just won’t fill in on their own. It’s a 3-in-1 bag: grass seed, fertilizer, and a soil improver that helps roots dig deeper. You spread it over your existing thin lawn, water it in, and the seed germinates right where the gaps are. The fertilizer gets the existing grass growing, so the whole lawn starts to knit together.
What stands out here is the sun and shade seed mix. Many seed products work only in full sun or only in shade. This one handles both, which matters if your lawn gets morning sun but afternoon shade under a maple tree. The stated coverage is 1,000 square feet per 10-pound bag. That’s enough for a decent-sized front yard or a patchy back lawn. Results depend heavily on your starting condition—if your lawn is mostly weeds and hard-packed dirt, you’ll want to prep the soil first. But for a lawn that’s just a little tired, this works well after two applications (late spring and late summer).
The honest trade-off: this product uses a grass seed blend that’s not suited for every region. It contains fescue and ryegrass varieties, which thrive in the transition zone and northern climates. If you live in the deep South and have St. Augustine or Bermudagrass, this won’t match your existing lawn. Also, the soil improver is more of a conditioner than an actual amendment—don’t expect it to fix compacted clay overnight. You’ll still want to aerate if your soil is hard.
- Three-in-one product: seed, fertilizer, and soil improver in one bag
- Sun and shade formula works in mixed-light conditions
- Covers 1,000 sq ft per 10-pound bag
- Best applied twice: late spring and late summer or early fall
- Not ideal for warm-season grass varieties like Bermudagrass
Best for: Homeowners in northern or transition zones with thin, patchy lawns that get a mix of sun and shade.
Scotts Turf Builder Thick’R Lawn Bermudagrass
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The one you buy when your warm-season grass looks tired and you want it to fill in fast.
If you have a Bermudagrass lawn, you already know how aggressively it can spread when conditions are right. But when it gets thin—after a drought, a grub attack, or just general neglect—it needs a different approach than a cool-season blend. This Scotts product is a 3-in-1 designed specifically for Bermudagrass. It includes Bermudagrass seed (which is less common in all-in-one products because Bermudagrass is usually propagated by sprigs or sod), plus a fertilizer and a soil improver.
The coverage is slightly better than the Sun & Shade version: 12 pounds covers 1,200 square feet. That extra 200 square feet per bag matters when you’re tackling a larger warm-season lawn. The application window is narrower, too—late spring to early summer is best, because Bermudagrass needs warm soil to germinate and establish before cooler fall weather. The idea is to create a lawn that’s up to 50% thicker with proper care, though results vary based on your starting point.
There’s a notable limitation: this product is only available in certain states (listed as AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, HI, KS, KY, LA, MO, MS, NC, NM, NV, OH, OK, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WV). If you live in a northern state like Minnesota or Maine, it’s not an option. Also, Bermudagrass is aggressive—if your lawn transitions into a fescue blend in a shady area, the Bermudagrass seed can overtake it. Use this only on pure Bermudagrass lawns or areas you want to convert.
- Specifically formulated for Bermudagrass lawns
- 3-in-1: seed, fertilizer, and soil improver
- 12-pound bag covers 1,200 square feet
- Apply in late spring or early summer for best results
- Not sold in all states—check availability in your area
Best for: Homeowners in warm-season climates with thin Bermudagrass lawns who want an all-in-one fix.
Commercial Grade Lawn Energizer
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The one you buy when your grass is green but pale, and you want to darken it without over-fertilizing.
Simple Lawn Solutions makes this liquid concentrate for a specific purpose: giving your lawn a deep green color without promoting excessive growth. The nutrient profile is 6-0-0 (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium) with 5% iron. That’s a high-nitrogen, zero-phosphorus formula. It’s not a complete fertilizer—it’s a booster designed to be used alongside your regular feeding program. If your lawn is already thick but looks washed out or yellow, this will darken it within days.
The coverage is impressive: one gallon covers up to 12,000 square feet. You apply it with a hose-end sprayer or a pump sprayer, and it works on any grass type. The iron content is what darkens the green. Iron is a micronutrient that helps chlorophyll production, and it’s often lacking in soils that are high in phosphorus. The formula also includes chelated iron, which stays available longer in the soil than standard iron supplements.
The trade-off is that this isn’t a standalone product for thickening a thin lawn. If you have bare spots, this won’t fill them in. It’s a color enhancer and growth stimulant, not a seed or a soil improver. Also, liquid fertilizers require more frequent application—every 2-3 weeks during the growing season for best results. And because it’s high in nitrogen, you need to water it in well or you risk burning the grass on hot days.
- Liquid concentrate: 6% nitrogen and 5% iron for deep greening
- Covers up to 12,000 square feet per gallon
- Can be used as a supplement to any existing fertilizer program
- Works on all grass types
- Quick results—greening visible in a few days
Best for: Homeowners who already have a decent lawn but want a darker, richer green color fast.
The Andersons Super Juice All in One
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The one you buy when you want maximum nutrition in a small bag and don’t mind mixing powder.
The Andersons Super Juice is a dry, soluble granule that turns into a liquid when mixed with water. It’s designed as a supplement to a complete fertilizer program, not a replacement. What makes it interesting is the ingredient list: humic acid, sea kelp, and micronutrients including 4% iron. Humic acid improves the soil’s ability to hold nutrients and water. Sea kelp provides natural growth hormones that encourage root development. The result is a product that feeds both the grass and the soil biology.
The coverage is enormous: a single bag can treat up to 2 acres at a half-rate application. That makes it one of the most cost-effective options if you have a large property. You mix it with water—about 1 to 2 ounces per 1,000 square feet depending on your desired rate—and spray it on. It works best when applied every 4 to 6 weeks during the growing season. The 4% iron gives a good green boost, though not as intense as the Simple Lawn Energizer’s 5% iron.
One limitation: this product is not for sale in California due to state regulations. If you live there, you’ll need to look elsewhere. Also, because it’s a soluble powder, it’s less convenient than a liquid concentrate. You need a sprayer that can handle small granules and you have to mix it precisely. Overmixing or under-mixing can lead to uneven coverage. And while it provides full nutrition, it lacks seed, so it won’t fill bare spots.
- Dry soluble granules with humic acid, sea kelp, and 4% iron
- Treats up to 2 acres at half-rate application
- Provides complete nutrition as a supplement to a fertilizer program
- Encourages root development and soil health
- Not available in California
Best for: Owners of large lawns who want a versatile supplement that improves soil health and greening.
Extreme Grass Growth Lawn Booster
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The one you buy when you’re starting a lawn from seed or sod and want rapid establishment.
Simple Lawn Solutions also makes this Growth Booster, which is a liquid concentrate designed for new lawns. It’s a starter fertilizer with added humic acid, and it’s meant to be applied just after seeding or laying sod. The formula encourages both vertical growth (height) and lateral growth (spreading), which is critical for new grass to fill in quickly. It works on all grass types: Bermuda, St. Augustine, Zoysia, Buffalo, Fescue, and Bluegrass.
The coverage is the same as the Energizer: one gallon covers up to 12,000 square feet. You can use it to refill the Simple Lawn Solutions sprayer up to four times, or use any standard sprayer. The company claims it’s made for spring and summer seasons, when growth is most active. The humic acid helps the roots take up nutrients faster, so the grass establishes sooner.
But here’s the catch: this is not a maintenance fertilizer. Once your lawn is established, you’ll want to switch to a balanced fertilizer with phosphorus and potassium. The Growth Booster is high in nitrogen and growth stimulants, which can produce weak, lush growth that’s prone to disease if used too long. Also, it’s a liquid, so you’ll need to apply it every 2-3 weeks during establishment—which means going through the gallon faster than you might expect. If you have a very large new lawn, you may need multiple gallons.
- Liquid concentrate for new sod and new seeding
- Promotes both vertical and lateral growth
- Covers up to 12,000 square feet per gallon
- Works with all common grass types
- Made by a family-owned company with 25 years in commercial turf
Best for: Anyone installing new sod or overseeding a bare area who wants to speed up establishment.
How We Chose These Products
We started by identifying the most common lawn problems: thin turf, bare spots, weak growth, and poor color. Then we looked for products that directly address those issues rather than just dumping nitrogen on the lawn. We considered three categories: all-in-one seed-and-fertilizer combos, liquid boosters for quick greening, and supplements that improve soil health. For each category we selected one or two products that stand out for their ingredient quality, coverage area, and ease of use.
We also prioritized products with a good track record. Scotts has been making lawn products for decades, and their Thick’R Lawn line is one of the few that actually grows grass from seed while feeding the existing lawn. Simple Lawn Solutions makes commercial-grade concentrates that lawn care professionals recommend. The Andersons is a well-regarded name in turf science, and Super Juice is popular among superintendents for its balanced nutrition. We excluded any product that required a professional license to purchase or seemed like a one-size-fits-all gimmick.
Buying Guide: What Really Matters
Before you pick a product, figure out what your lawn actually needs. If you have bare soil showing through, you need seed. That means an all-in-one product like Scotts Thick’R Lawn or a separate seed and fertilizer. If your lawn is already thick but looks pale or washed out, a liquid iron supplement like Simple Lawn Energizer will give it that deep green color without causing a growth surge. If you’ve just seeded or laid sod, a starter formula with humic acid (like the Growth Booster) helps roots get established faster.
Watch out for nitrogen overdose. Many thickeners are high in nitrogen, which makes grass grow fast but can also cause it to grow thin, weak blades that flop over. Look for a product that includes iron or micronutrients to keep the grass strong. Also, consider whether you want liquid or granular. Liquids give quick results but need more frequent applications. Granular products, especially those with seed, feed the lawn over a longer period but require precise spreading.
The size of your lawn matters, too. If you have a 5,000-square-foot yard, a gallon of liquid concentrate that covers 12,000 square feet is more than enough and will last two or three applications. For small lawns under 1,000 square feet, the bagged Scotts products are a better fit because they cover exactly that area and you won’t have leftover concentrate that degrades over time. Finally, always check the label for grass type compatibility and state restrictions. Some products like The Andersons Super Juice can’t ship to California, and the Bermudagrass Scotts blend isn’t sold everywhere.
Our Top Recommendation
If you have a cool-season lawn that needs thickening in both sun and shade, the Scotts Turf Builder Thick’R Lawn Sun & Shade is the best all-around pick. It’s the only product on this list that actually grows new grass while feeding the existing turf, and the specific seed mix handles the tricky transitions where nothing else seems to grow. For warm-season lawns, the Scotts Thick’R Lawn Bermudagrass is the obvious choice if you live in a state where it’s sold.
For those who just want a deeper green without changing their lawn’s structure, the Simple Lawn Energizer is the fastest and most economical way to get it. If you have a huge property and want a supplement that improves soil health at the same time, The Andersons Super Juice gives you the best bang for your buck. And if you’re starting fresh with seed or sod, Simple Lawn Growth Booster will help that new grass take hold quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Scotts Thick’R Lawn on a lawn that already has weeds?
Yes, but you should pull visible weeds first or apply a broadleaf weed killer at least two weeks before seeding. The seed in Thick’R Lawn needs bare soil contact to germinate, and weeds will compete for space and water. If the lawn is mostly weeds, it’s better to kill them first, then seed.
How often should I apply liquid fertilizers like Simple Lawn Energizer?
For best results, apply every 2 to 3 weeks during the active growing season (spring and fall for cool-season grasses, late spring through summer for warm-season grasses). Liquid fertilizers are faster-acting but don’t last as long as granulars, so you need to stay on schedule to maintain color and thickness.
Is the Andersons Super Juice safe to use on a lawn with pets?
Once the product is watered in and the lawn is dry, it’s safe for pets to return. The humic acid and sea kelp are natural materials, and the chemical fertilizer is in very low concentrations when diluted. Always follow the label directions for watering and keep pets off until the lawn is dry to avoid ingestion of concentrated product.
What’s the difference between the Simple Lawn Energizer and the Growth Booster?
Energizer is a greening supplement with high iron and nitrogen—it darkens existing grass and promotes moderate growth. Growth Booster is a starter formula with humic acid that stimulates rapid establishment of new grass from seed or sod. Use Energizer for maintenance, Growth Booster for new lawns.