How To Plant Residential Grass Seed?

If your lawn is looking old and tired, then you may be thinking about replacing it. But how difficult is it to get started? Below we take a look at some of the most common questions we are asked when it comes to growing a new lawn from seeds.

What is grass?

Well, we may not get asked this as much but it is helpful to know what grass actually is. Many plants fall under the 'grass' umbrella such as cereal and bamboo. Wikipedia tell us that 'Poaceae or Gramineae is a large and nearly ubiquitous family of monocotyledonous flowering plants known as grasses.' and with over 12,000 species, it's easy to see how grasses can quickly become overwhelming

Different types of grass seeds?

There are a few common types of grass seed that are used for residential lawns. Most seed mixes contain one or a mix of the following types of grass seed.

• Chewing fescue
• Slender creeping red fescue
• Strong Creeping Red Fescue
• Ryegrass
• Clover

Each of these seeds work well when mixed and different ratios of the mix can help your lawn thrive depending on how it will be used. If you need any help picking which grass you need contact our team today.

When to plant grass seeds?

Grass seeds can be sown in spring or autumn. you need the temperature of the soil to be above 8-10 degrees. We don't advise seeding in the summer because its much harder to keep the soil damp enough for the seeds. 

How do I plant grass seed?

First you will need to prepare the soil for your new seed. This means removing any grass that was there previously. Once this has been removed you will need to check the quality of the soil. Is the soil very sandy, is it mostly clay, or does it have a lot of bricks and rubble in it?

We would recommend checking what type of soil you have before buying your seeds as some seed types will do better in clay or sandy soils. You should aim to remove large debris where possible. If your soil is very low quality then it can be improved by adding in high quality top soil.

Once you have your soil then it's time to start digging. Turn over your soil by at least 15 cm but aim for 25cm where you can. Remove any debris and weeds.

Level off your soil by raking it flat. This will also help turn up large chunks of soil or weeds that may have been missed. You can also rake in any pre feed fertiliser to give your new grass a boost.

If your soil is particularly dry then lightly watering it a few days beforehand can help give your new seeds some moisture. When you first lay seeds, watering can be an issue as you should avoid walking on the new seeds and heavy water flow can wash them away.

Once your soil is dry enough to not be sticky, spread your grass seeds on the newly flattened soil as per their guide. Most of our grass seeds need at least 35g -50g per square metre. 

Once the seeds are on the soil then you can rake them into the soil then carefully tread them in or use a roller to push them down. This helps cover the seeds and gives them more contact.

How much water does grass seed need?

You should water your grass seed every day as long as it hasn't been raining. Using a sprinkler can help to minimise walking on the seeds and avoid using heavy hose settings that will turn up the seeds.

How long does grass seed take to grow?

If all is well then you should see the start of your new lawn within a week or two. Those little shoots will continue to grow at 2/3 cm per week. After 6-8 weeks your new lawn should be ready for everyday use.

How do I store grass seed?

You should keep any grass seed you have left over to make repairs later on. Keep unused seed in a cool dry place out of direct sunlight. Keeping them in the original packaging can help but if not an airtight bag or box can be used to stop condensation.

What do I do to maintain my grass?

On top of repairing any patches that may not be doing as well by overseeding them you also need to keep on top of your grass to keep it looking its best. 

Aerating your lawn can help by providing air flow and water to the roots of your grass. This will only need to be done once every few years after your lawn has been compacted from use.

Scarification helps to remove surface thatch from your lawn. This helps to let the new shoots grow through and gives you a fuller looking lawn once they do.