How To Sow Grass Seed The Right Way
If you're a DIY novice or in no way versed in home improvement, then the thought of seeding a lawn is probably quite daunting. Thankfully we're here to tell you that it's easier than it looks. In this guide we'll answer some of the most common gardening questions and provide a sure-fire sowing method, hints and tips to ensure a luscious green lawn.
Why Choose A Lawn Over Other Garden Design Options?
As the environment, user function and user need all change so has traditional garden design. 2017 has seen a rise in bold, brash colours, hyperlocalism (designing outdoor living space in accordance with the local environment) and a diminishing want for larger garden lawns. According to the
Garden Design Magazine "clients who do want a lawn are opting for smaller ones than in the past. These are lawns that will be used as opposed to being just for show," .
The traditional lawn now has to compete against decking, flagstones, concrete, bark and more. So the question is why choose a grass lawn? According to the
Telegraph.co.uk a well-maintained garden can add 20% to your property's value, an estimated £60,000 based on UK house averages (2016). Something as simple as taking the time to plant some grass seeds and maintaining your lawn regularly can drastically increase your home value. Now can you see the value?
When Is The Best Time To Plant Grass Seed?
There is a general consensus among gardening experts that the best time of the year to plant grass seed is from the late summer to mid-autumn. The reason being that there is less competition in the soil from weeds. Additionally the soil is warmer, more fertile and tends to be damper due to high humidity from the air. Perfect conditions for fast seed germination.
IF like most amateur gardeners you have missed the Summer / Autumn deadline then there is an opportunity to sow grass seeds in the Spring / early Summer. Attempting to plant grass seed mid summer is ill-advised, however depending on the climate and environment some gardens may germinate mid summer. For example if you live in a high rise location like a mountain side, where there are high levels of air humidity and regular rainfall then it could be viable, but experts do advise against trying.
How Do I Pick The Best Type Of Grass Seed?
It comes as no surprise that there is a horde of grass seeds available on the market. Each and every species and their respective variants have been naturally or artificially developed to suit different environments, produce different finishes, have varying germination rates and so on. Therefore, when choosing the type of grass seed that you want, there are some questions you'll need to ask yourself first:
- How much lawn traffic will there be?
- Seasonal considerations - How much sun or shade will the exposed area get?
- How much time do I have to maintain the lawn?
- What type of lawn finish do I want?
- Are you patching certain areas or laying a brand new lawn?
All these questions are important to answer. If for example you want the lawn to be used as a children's play area with a high amount of traffic, then consider a robust hard wearing grass seed. If there is minimal amount of sun getting to the proposed area, this will slow germination and growth rate. You'll also need a more durable seed that can survive in the shade.
Time is a big factor. The 1st month of lawn care takes time and commitment. Some seeds are naturally resilient while others require more attention. In some cases this can mean watering up to 3 times a day. You'll need to determine whether your lifestyle lends itself to that amount of maintenance or not.
Your choice of grass seed should also be determined by whether you're laying a fresh lawn or filling in patches. If you are filling patches, be sure to get a grass seed of similar finish to the existing lawn. You don't want to have odd looking lawn patches.
What Types Of Grass Seed Are There?
Grass seed is generally broken down into 2 main categories of seed: warm season and cool season seeds. As the names go, warm season seed grows well in warmer conditions and is best planted late spring or early summer (depending on the climate). Given that the UK climate during the peak of summer doesn't tend to be exceptionally warm, warm season seed can be planted throughout the majority of Spring to late summer. The only downfall of warm season grass seed lies with its tendency to go brown (dormant) during cold weather.
Cold season seed can be planted anytime from Autumn right through to early spring. Given that we've experienced snow to date (April) in the UK, it's safe to say that cold season seed can be planted almost all year round, seeing as the UK tends to get abysmal Summers. The downfall of cold season seed is the reverse of warm season, where it tends to go yellow / brown in extremely hot weather. During the Summer the average temperature is 19º and during the Winter it's 5º. Cold seed is probably the best choice for any UK garden.
Considerations When Buying Commercial Grass Seed
Take a look at the above example. The label cites a variety of different grass seeds in the box. This is known as
Mixed Grass Seeds. In a mixed box there are different species of grass.
Blended seeds have one type of seed with a variety of that type.
Straight seeds feature only one type and one variety of a seed species.
This label states the % mix of seeds. This is good. If you are purchasing a box of seed that does not state the % mixture then this could indicate poor seed quality. If you're purchasing straight seed or blended seed it should give you an overview of the seed you are purchasing also.
Notice this label states the germination %. Look for seeds with a % over 75%. This indicates the % of seed will germinate under the correct sowing conditions. You want to be able to maximize your % yield in order to get value for money. If not, you'll end up with a patchy lawn that will need to be re-filled.
We've attached a table sourced from
Tractorsupply.com for reference.
How To Plant Grass Seed
Once you've chosen the type of grass seed you need, it's time to start sowing the seeds.
Step 1 - Prepare The Soil:
- Loosen the top soil with a rake 2-3 inches is perfect.
- Break up the soil into small(ish) lumps. Keep a mix of fine and small sized lumps for better results.
- Remove junk like stones, leaves, twigs and grass clippings (if you're patching).
- Try to level the sowing area. This is to prevent the collection of excess water, which will be detremental to seed growth.
- IMPORTANT - Do not use weedkillers before or after sowing.
Step 2 - Plant The Grass Seed:
- Try to spread the seed evenly by hand. Alternatively for better results use a Spreader
- Check the seed guide for coverage recommendations. Different seeds generally have recommended coverage values on their boxes.
- Lightly rake the seeds into the soil. About ¼" inch under is ample enough.
Step 3 - Protect & Water:
- Experts suggest covering the seeds with a fruit net or something similar to prevent birds eating the seeds.
- Water regularly. Different types of seed will have different watering needs. Make sure not to over water (soak) the seeds. A moist, damp soil is optimum for germination.
- Once the grass reaches approximately 2" or higher, you can then start to saturate the grass.
- Avoid using high pressure sprinklers or garden hoses as they will spread loose grass seed, creating patches in the lawn.
- Mark off the area and prevent traffic from traversing the landscape for at least 2 days, if not at all until noticeable progress can be seen.
- Closely monitor the area for growth of weeds. If weeds form, hand pick them. DO NOT USE weedkillers.
How Long Does It Take Grass Seed To Grow?
Unfortunately there's no one answer fits all here. There are a lot of factors that come into play when determining growth rate such as seed type, environment, watering rate, temperature and exposure to sun. This table of germination times gives the typical expected times, assuming that the correct conditions are met for the seed type.
Some distributors like
Evergreen have unique formulas, like their headstart gold coating which helps promote germination within 2-5 days. If you're all about fast results, then this is the ideal seed for you.