How to lay Grass Seed

Spring is fast approaching and it's time to start your first garden preparations for the season. Whether you plan to reseed your existing lawn or create a new one from scratch, there are some things you should do before planting your first grass seeds.

From prepping your lawn after a long winter to getting the best seeds for your soil, sowing may seem simple but there are some rules to follow if you want a dense lawn with quality grass.

Wondering how to grow grass that'll give you a beautiful lush lawn? Read on to find out.

Prepping Is Key To Successful Sowing

Prepping your lawn is the most important step to successful grass sowing. It's what makes the difference between a lush lawn without any bold patches and a sparse lawn where the grass grows slowly and unevenly.

First, prep the soil by removing weeds, debris, dead grass, and moss from your lawn. If needed, use a weed killer that'll help remove any weeds residual deeper into the soil.

Then, assess the type of soil you have and whether it needs fertilizing or other special treatment. For example, if you have clay or sandy soil, you may need to enrich it with topsoil to make sure it's fertile enough for the seeds. 

The next step is aerating the soil to ensure proper drainage and to prevent rotting of the roots. You can do this by making holes in the soil with a spike aerator or a plug aerator.

Finally, level the seed bed so that the seeds grow evenly and don't stay on the surface or go too deep into the soil. Leveling helps break up the soil into a fine texture that's well aerated and ready for sowing.

How Long Does It Take Grass Seed To Grow?

It depends on many factors: the quality of the soil, the fertilizer you use, the quality of the seeds, the weather conditions, and how you take care of your lawn after sowing.

Expect to see the first sprouts after 6-8 weeks.

Seed in Prime Sowing Season

The best way to learn how to make grass grow is to plant the seeds in the prime sowing season. In the United Kingdom, this time of year is anywhere between March and September, or as soon as the temperature hits around 8°C.

Always check the weather forecast to make sure you can start. If it's still cold outside, postpone the sowing for when the temperatures start to rise a bit. You can start a bit later than March, but make sure it's not too cold or too hot outside as this can affect the seed's health and growth.

How To Sow Grass Seed the Right Way

A lush, green, beautiful lawn is a result of knowing how to sow grass the right way. Though sowing is relatively easy, there are some things you should bear in mind. Aside from the weather, you should also prep your lawn and get high-quality seeds.

Spreading Seed

To sow a new lawn, simply sprinkle the grass seed freely with your hand or a seed spreader. The best way to go about it is at 50 grams for each m2 to ensure optimal growth. Then, rake the seed to make sure they're well into the soil and water the lawn.

If you're sowing an existing lawn and want to either cover some bold patches or improve the quality of the grass, sow the seeds at a rate of at least 35 grams for each m2.

Make sure to remove any weeds, debris, and dead grass before sowing so the new seeds can get in better contact with the soil. Rake the soil after seeding and firm the soil down with your foot to make sure the seeds are under the soil. 

Growing the Grass

Though the grass growing process isn't under your control, you can still do some things to ensure the seeds germinate under the most optimal conditions to grow.

First, you should learn how to make grass grow in your particular area and type of soil. Not all grass seeds are a good fit for your lawn so before you buy just any kind, consult a professional gardener or a grass seed expert.

They'll give you tips on the best grass seed mix, help you choose fertilizers, and point you to more resources for keeping your perfect lawn healthy, lush, and fresh.

The more care you put into your lawn, the better the results will be. Unless there are some harsh weather conditions like frost or heavy rains, most grass seeds will start growing 6-8 weeks after sowing.

Post-Sowing Lawn Care

Now that you've done most of the hard work of seeding the grass, you should also consider ways to take care of your lawn post-sowing. Aside from regular watering, you should also check regularly for weeds, clean the lawn from debris, and add fertilizer if needed.

Though you can't protect the lawn from outside factors like harsh weather conditions, you can make sure the seeds have the best chance of survival and growth.

For example, birds, cats, and other animals can damage your lawn by digging or searching for food. You can protect it by adding special lawn nets that'll keep them away.

Also, some weeds may still find their way to your lawn even if you used weed killer, so keep your eye on them as the grass starts growing. Remove weeds as soon as they appear as they can easily take over the lawn and suffocate the grass seeds.

Finally, learn the right amount of water your lawn needs. This depends on the type of grass seeds you're using and the type of soil you have. If you live in an area with frequent rainfall, your lawn won't need as much watering. If you live in a dry area, you'll need to water grass seed more frequently to keep the seeds moist.

Now You Know How To Grow Grass the Right Way

Whether you're new to gardening or want a new, greener, and more lush lawn this season, these tips will help you learn how to grow grass the right way.

From prepping the soil to knowing exactly when to plant grass seed and how to give them the best conditions to grow, once you learn the basics, it all becomes easier as you go.

Need help choosing the best grass seeds for your lawn? We can help! Browse our large selection of high-quality seeds and learn all about their specifics and sowing rates. Whether you’re growing an ornamental lawn or planting an entire football pitch, our wide range of hard-wearing grasses will help you grow lawn from seed. 

Speciality Grass Seed

We have a wide range of grass seed available for different uses; including mixes of red fescues, perennial ryegrass and many more. Unsure of which mix to get - speak to one of our consultants.