Grass Seeding Lawns
When it comes to grass seeding lawns, good preparation is usually the key to success and before you sow the seeds it is important to prepare the soil adequately.
- Clear the area to be cultivated of growing weeds, grass, nettles or whatever! If necessary treat with a non-residual herbicide to kill off all growth.
- Dig or fork over the soil to a depth of about 15cm (approx.6") removing any stones or weeds.
- Roughly level out the soil with a rake after digging and allow this to settle for a week.
- Rake the site again to remove any new weeds and form a fine seed bed creating soil particles the size of biscuit crumbs. 'Heel down' or firm the soil down by treading the site evenly and then rake until level.
- Select a grass seed to suit your lifestyle - are you looking for an ornamental lawn or a practical one? There is a wide selection of British Seed Houses lawn mixtures available, to suit your lawn conditions.
- Sow the seed when moisture is available from Spring to early Autumn. Shake the box to ensure seeds are well mixed - a guideline is one good handful of seed per square metre or yard. If you use less it will take longer for your lawn to establish.
- Scatter evenly moving left to right, top to bottom and then lightly rake the seeded area to cover the seed (to a depth of 0.5cm - approx. 1/4" - is fine).
- New grass seedlings will appear over the next 7- 21 days depending on the grass type, soil conditions and weather. Remember to water the seeds morning and evening if it is dry with a sprinkler, to keep them moist during the period of germination and early seedling establishment.
- It's a good idea to protect your seeds from birds. Stretch some string across the area, tied with lengths of silver foil. Raking the seed well into the seedbed in the first instance will help minimise loss by birds.
- When the grass has reached a height of about 25cm(approx 1”), give the area a gentle roll. Use the back roller of your mower (with the cutter head held high) or if you prefer, walk over a large piece of wood or plank.
- Hold off mowing your new lawn until it has reached about 50cm (approx 2") high and then only take off about 1.5cm (approx. 1/2"). On subsequent cuts you can gradually lower the blades, but don't go lower than an 25cm (approx 1”) inch. Click here for more details on good lawn mowing practices.
