Lawn seed

I'm looking for any words of wisdom, tips or anything at all to aid in the effective growth of lawn seed please.

Even the basics of what/where to buy? We have an area of 6m x 6m which today was de-weeded, dug/turned over and raked over to even it out. I wish to sow seed ASAP to prevent weedage again. We initially wanted to turf the area but due to the cost of turf, it's not really an option. Plus, I assume to turf, the area would require to be flattened somehow to have it very very even?

We have invested a lot of time and effort from a very good friend and our nephew today and I really want to make sure we do this properly (this time!!)

 

I always use a general purpose grass seed. It's strikes a happy medium between 'bowling green' and a much tougher lawn. It seems you've got the preparation right, so scatter the seed and rake it in gently. How much to put down will be on the packaging.

Water it every day if it's dry, best time is in the evening after sunset, as it won't dry out too quickly. Don't feed it this year, it won't be necessary. It will take up to a couple of weeks to show, depending on which seed you use.

When the grass has got to the point that you think it needs cutting, mow on a high cut. Don't strim as this will just tear at it. As the grass thickens it may show some bald patches where it has been missed with the seed. Add more seed being careful not to disturb the young shoots around it.

I've always found I get a better lawn from seed than turf. But that's a matter of opinion.

Good luck!

 

I'm concerned about the watering aspect as it's a square 6m x 6m area which is fenced in on 3 sides. So to water I would have to walk on it. Also we don't have a garden hose so it would be watering can watering haha!

 

Lawn UK

some nice lawn types there

6x6m is pretty small ... so will be cheap and easy to maintain

when planting from seed, the grass should be through in approx 14 days in this weather ...

let it grow to 3 inches tall before mowing, and use a mower with a sharp blade .... and when you mow for the 1st time, remove one inch ...then water well after cutting

thats what I have always done, and works well

Tesco is currently having a huge sale on garden equipment, and hoses are dirt cheap

 

Thanks for the tip off about Tesco, we will be looking to order table/.chairs for the patio at some point and I see they have some on sale PLUS 20% off!!

If we were to use turf, do we need to flatten/squish down (very technical!) the soil first?

 

if you are using turf, just rake the area as level as you can .... the larger pieces of soil can be flattened with the back of a flat spade if you don't have a roller ... should not take long to level 6x6m

 

I was thinking about sugesting seed on the other thread, a lot cheaper.

Also, check Freecycle for everything first.

 

When buying seed be aware of what you are buying
The FASTGROWING seed is exactly that
Unfortunateley SO IS THE GRASS it produces :-)

Quick cover but forever cutting it

Jack McHammocklashing

 

oooh thanks for that Jack, that didn't occur to me.

Ziggy, ideally I'd like to spend as little as possible so seed would be my first choice but I'm thinking how the heck will I water the back & centre as I'll have to walk on it :(

 

Ziggy's freecycle ask for a hose pipe / seed / turf
Other than that I presume laying a plank down and walking on that would not be too bad

I am a newbie to so check out before walking the Plank

Jack McH

 

Thanks I have been searching loads just now about how to lay turf - yes, I am contemplating doing it myself, good idea or bad idea??

But the sites I looked on all said to lay a plank down to walk on.

I'm not sure if I should attempt laying it myself though,. I want it done this weekend before any new weeds start growing, but I don't know anyone who could help.