sowing a lawn

Preparation

It is essential that you prepare the ground before sowing your new lawn:

The ground needs to be free from large stones, weeds and with no unintentional bumps and hollows.

The ground needs to be broken up into a fine seedbed as opposed to large lumps.

Depending on type of soil, you may need to:

Sandy soil: add some peat or compost and work it into the top 2-3cm.

Clay soil: add some sharp sand and work it into the top 2-3cm.

Add fertilizer.

Sowing

• Timing

Sow at anytime from mid April to end September

(this will depend on how warm your area is - customers further south will be able to sow earlier and later).

• Watering

Although the ground doesn't need to be moist when sowing, if it is dry (and it is unlikely to rain!) you should water the area afterwards.

For the first six weeks if there is no rain, you should water the area regularly.

• Spreading the seed

We recommend sowing at 50 grams / m2.

You can sow by hand or by using a mechanical seed distributor (buy or hire).

Recommended method

• This method of sowing will help you to get a uniform cover of lawnseed over the whole area of your lawn:
• Divide your lawnseed into two equal portions.
• Sow one portion of the seed up and down your lawn area.
• Sow the remaining portion left and right across your lawn.
• After spreading the seed
• Lightly rake the seed over the surface.
• Roll the ground.
• If you don't have a roller, and the area is small you can tread the ground down with your feet.

Overseeding an existing lawn

If your lawn is looking like it needs refreshing overseeding is an easy way to rejuvenate it without too much expense.

Preparation

Mow your existing lawn very low and remove the cut grass.

With a strong rake, remove all remaining loose grass and weeds so that the soil can be seen.

Sowing

• Timing

Sow at anytime from mid April to end September

(this will depend on how warm your area is - customers further south will be able to sow earlier and later).

• Watering

Although the ground doesn't need to be moist when sowing, if it is dry (and it is unlikely to rain!) you should water the area afterwards.

For the first six weeks, if there is no rain, you should water the area regularly.

• Spreading the seed

We recommend sowing at 25 grams / m2.

You can sow by hand or by using a mechanical seed distributor (buy or hire).

Recommended method

• This method of sowing will help you to get a uniform cover of lawnseed over the whole area of your lawn:
• Divide your lawnseed into two equal portions.
• Sow one portion of the seed up and down your lawn area.
• Sow the remaining portion left and right across your lawn.
• If your lawn is worse in some areas, you should keep some seed back and go over the poor areas twice (i.e 50 grams / m2).
• After spreading the seed
• Lightly rake the lawn.
• Roll the lawn.
• If you don't have a roller, and the area is small you can tread the lawn down with your feet.