Sowing a Lawn

Sowing a lawn is a cheaper alternative to laying turf.

First of all you should ensure that the area of ground is prepared well. (See the guidelines below). Also make sure you choose a lawnseed recommended for the conditions and usage that you have planned. There are many seeds to suit all kinds of lawns.

Sowing Guidelines

Sow seed in warm, moist soil during spring or autumn. If sown in spring, the lawn will have time to establish before the onset of summer. In autumn, the soil is warm but may be dry, making irrigation necessary.

Prepare the soil by digging over the area, you can add some organic matter if necessary. Remove any buried items such as bricks and perennial weeds, and then fork the surface to a rough level before raking over the soil.

Create a seed-bed on a day when the soil is moist and crumbly. You can achieve this by walking over the soil's surface on your heels, then again at right angles to the original direction. This will help firm the surface and break up any clods.

Rake the soil, first in one direction and then at right angles until the area is level. After three to four weeks, pick off any stones that have worked their way to the surface and hoe off any weed seedlings.

Two to three days before the seed is to be sown, lightly rake in a granular general fertiliser over the whole area.

Once the soil is fully prepared. You can sow the area with the lawnseed, following the manufacturers guidelines will result in a correctly balanced distribution of seeds. Weigh out the seed to cover each square metre or yard into a plastic cup or similar container and mark the level on the outside of the cup. You can add sharp sand to the seed to make spreading easier, but ensure you mix the seed well and mark the level on the container, this will ensure you get the correct measure each time.

Sowing too thickly gives patchy germination, while seeding too thinly will mean having to re-sow. After sowing, lightly rake over the area.

Once the seeds have been sown, they'll need to be protected. Fencing off the site will offer some protection. An ultrasonic deterrent can be used to ward off cats. You can also use netting to discourage birds.

During the early stages of growth, carefully weed the area by hand, removing any weeds before they flower.

Seedlings are susceptible to drought. During any dry spells keep them watered, but avoid over watering the area.

When the new lawn is about 5cm (2in) high, you can cut the new grass down to about half that height. Then carefully rake up the loose clippings. You should follow this procedure for the first three to four cuts.

 

 

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