Starting a New Lawn from Seed
Grass seed is the most cost-effective way to create a new luscious green lawn, and nearly every TurfOnline team member has had to start their lawn from scratch with grass seed at some point. They've given tips on how to seed a lawn, how to use grass seed, and how long it takes grass to grow.
How to Use Grass Seed to Grow Your Lawn in 8 Easy Steps
- Remove all vegetation and debris from the area.
- Dig or rotovate the soil at least 15cm deep. If necessary, bring in new topsoil.
- Rake and level the surface until it is perfectly tilted.
- Add some pre-seeding/turfing fertilizer.
- Choose the best grass seed for your lawn.
- Apply an even layer of grass seed that is not too thick when sowing it. Grass seeds typically germinate in 5 to 30 days (as long as the conditions are favorable and the lawn area is properly prepared).
- Keep the soil moist and protect it from birds until germination occurs and the grass seeds begin to grow rapidly.
- When the grass reaches around 7 inches in height, cut it for the first time. 5cm tall
Remove any vegetation and debris from the area.
To begin, any plants, weeds, or remnants of an old lawn must be removed before sowing grass seed to create a new lawn. Lift old turf and plants from the surface with a sharp spade, or apply a systemic weedkiller such as Roundup Optima. If you choose the latter option, it will take about 3 weeks to kill the plants' roots and leaves.
A family lawn must be able to withstand a variety of activities. Choose a grass seed that will grow into a tough lawn.
Rotovate or dig the soil
The grass plants must be able to send their roots deep into the ground in order to have a truly strong, healthy lawn. Digging the soil loosens any compaction and opens up the structure, allowing water to penetrate and roots to grow. If you do this, the time it takes for grass seed to grow and dig its roots deep into the ground will be greatly reduced.
Rake and Level the Surface of the Soil
A bumpy lawn is difficult to mow, and bumps make seeding a new lawn difficult, so this stage of ground preparation is critical for a beautiful lawn in the future. Remove any large stones and old roots before sowing grass seed.
When your new lawn is nice and level, firm it down with your feet. When you walk on a fluffy seed bed, it sinks. If the area is not firmed up at this point, you will end up with footprint-sized depressions all over your lawn.
Soil preparation for grass seed
Include Some Pre-Seeding Feed
Apply granular feed to the soil's surface and gently rake it in. This will ensure that there is enough goodness in the ground to support the growth of your new grass plants. The TurfOnline team recommends Rapid Roots pre-seeding feed, which is high in essential plant nutrients and will ensure that grass seed germination is successful. If you use this, the grass seed should grow in no time.
Products That Can Assist...
Selecting the Best Grass Seed for Your Lawn
Today's market is flooded with various types of grass seed, which can be quite confusing. We have a few criteria to consider when selecting the best one for a family lawn. Make sure to choose a seed mix that includes:
- Perennial ryegrass for long-term use
- For a velvety texture, use fescue grasses.
- Meadow grass with smooth stalks that can repair itself
Our best-selling lawn seed is TurfOnline's premium grade Jubilee grass seed, which is ideal for a hardy lawn. Meanwhile, if you have a partially shaded garden, Shadesman grass seed is a good choice because it is more shade resistant.
Seed should be sown evenly but not thickly.
Most people make the mistake of putting too many seeds in too small an area when sowing grass seed. Grass seeds do not need to be slathered on thickly because each seed will grow into a plant, and each plant requires space to grow and plenty of sunlight. When plants are too close together, they become sickly and weak, and a fungal disease may attack and kill crowded seedlings. Just like with salt on your chips, it's best to start with a small amount and then add more if you think it needs it.
The recommended sowing rate for grass seed is 25-30 grams per square metre. Run the rake over the surface lightly to partially cover the grass seed. Grass seed does not need to be buried deeply in the soil; a few millimetres is sufficient.
How Long Does it Take for Grass Seed to Grow?
It depends on the weather, but if the soil is damp and warm (above 6 degrees Celsius), green shoots should appear within 10-14 days. It takes between 5 and 30 days for grass seeds to germinate.
It takes about 6 months for the plants to be strong enough to withstand heavy traffic, so please be gentle with your lawn in the beginning.
Keep the soil moist until the grass begins to grow vigorously.
It should go without saying that all plants require water. After you've finished sowing grass seed, soak the soil thoroughly. Use a sprinkler attachment on your hosepipe; the water must fall gently onto the soil or the seed will be washed away. TurfOnline has a variety of dependable and reasonably priced watering equipment available if you require a hosepipe or sprinkler attachment.
Make sure not to let the soil dry out until the grass is fully grown. If you're lucky, Mother Nature will shower you with rain.
When Should You Cut Your New Lawn for the First Time?
When the grass is about 7 inches tall, mow it for the first time. 5-8 5 cm long It is critical that your mower blades are sharp and that you only cut the top 1cm of growth. For the first few cuts, collect the clippings because they could suffocate the young plants if left on the surface.
Help and Advice
TurfOnline's team is always happy to answer your questions about lawn care in general. Please do not hesitate to contact us here.
Order grass seed online here.
Pre-seeding fertilizer can be purchased online.
Check out our topsoil for grass seed selection here.
Helpful Tips for Starting a New Lawn
Which is the better method for creating a lawn: seeding or turfing?
Lawn Care in a Shaded Garden
Support for Coping with the Passing of Your Feline CompanionLosing a beloved pet can bring about immense emotions of grief and uncertainty. When dealing with the passing of your feline friend, you may be unsure of what steps to take next. To assist you during this challenging time, we provide advice and
Opt for a Scientifically-Proven Learning MethodSome subjects can be mastered independently to attain an A or A* grade. Fortunately, Biology is one of them! There is a straightforward learning technique that can help you achieve this. We refer to it as the scribble technique, highlighted by an Amazon
Do you use your mobile phone to stay in touch with your loved ones, save cherished moments, and work from any location? Do you carry it around with you everywhere you go? Losing your phone or tablet can be a major setback for your personal and professional life. Fortunately, Samsung's range of
If you are concerned about cleaning and sanitizing your dog's wounds, Hibiscrub is a reliable disinfectant that can combat bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Although it is commonly used in medical facilities, you can also use it at home.In this blog post, we will discuss the benefits, side effects, and safe