How to sow a new lawn
Sowing a new lawn can be a daunting task, but by following our guide, you can have incredible results to create the lawn of your dreams. It’s recommended you follow these steps in Spring, however initial digging up of existing lawn should be done in Autumn if possible.
Step 1: Remove Weeds
Many weeds can be easily removed by using garden trowel to pull the weed out making sure the roots are removed too. However, depending on the size of the area and amount of weeds you have, it may be more suitable to use a weedkiller. Simply spray the weedkiller, allow the solution to kill the weed and then remove the dead leaves by hand.
For weedkiller, we recommend: Neudorff Weedfree Plus Concentrate
Step 2: Break Up The Soil
Using a garden fork, break up the soil by digging it up & spiking to a depth of 20cm. If clumps of soil, rocks or stones are in the soil, remove them as these may cause issues with the lawn. For best results, the soil should be smooth
Step 3: Add a Layer Of Top Soil (If Neccessary)
If you find there are areas where your lawn dips, use top soil to level the area out. Top soil isn’t necessary across your whole lawn, however doing this can provide moister if needed and extra nutrients.
Step 4: Add Your Lawn Feed
Extra nutrients can also be added by using a lawn feed: Our completely natural Super Smart Lawn Feed provides Mycorrhizae, Seaweed micronutrients and beneficial bacteria to increase grass growth.
Step 5: Sow Your Chosen Grass Seed
Use the recommend sow rate on the box/bag. This can be done by hand, however a hand spreader or seed spreader will give better and more even coverage. If you accidentally cause a heaped pile of seed, make sure to spread these out with a rake. Once seed is spread, use a rake to mix the seed with the soil, making sure the seed isn’t pushed in too deep (ideal depth of 2cm).
Not sure which mixture is right for you? Our 'How to choose your grass seed' page will help you make that tough decision.
Step 6: Firm in Seed
Lightly walk over the seedbed to firm in the seed & embed with the soil.
Step 7: Water Daily
For the first 6 weeks, you’ll need to water your young grass plants once a day, using either a light sprayer hose, a sprinkler or a fine holed watering can. If it rains during one of the days, you will not need to water it again on that day.
Step 8: Mowing Your New Lawn For The First Time
When grass is 5-8cms (2-3in) high, cut for the first time – Trim lightly and very gradually lower the blades to a cutting height of 25mm (1in) for ryegrass mixtures or 13mm (1/2in) for any non-ryegrass mixtures. Remember to mow regularly and not to remove more than a third of the growth at a time.
