How to Seed a Lawn using Grass Seed

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1. Season for Sowing Lawn Seed
   
   It is important when planting grass seed that you do this at the right time of year. This is generally spring or autumn. As long as the ground is warm and moist, the seed will be able to germinate.
   
   
2. Ground Preparation for Lawn Seed
   
   For a professional looking lawn, ground preparation before seeding is essential. Remove any stones, plants or the existing old lawn growing on the area to be seeded; this can be done by hand or by spraying off with glyphosate (Round-up) and then, when dead, using a turf stripper. You should be able to hire one from your local garden centre.
   
   Soil type
   Generally grasses like a free draining soil best described as a friable sandy loam. We would recommend sowing grass seed onto topsoil that is approximately 150mm (6”) deep. If you have low points or you need to raise the overall area of the lawn, you may wish to add some topsoil. The topsoil page can be used to calculate the amount of topsoil you will require. Dig over the soil to break up any big lumps. The soil can be conditioned, before seeding, with a lawn feed in order to increase its fertility.
   
   False Seedbeds
   Weeds will be a constant problem when growing a lawn from seed, therefore it is important to reduce weed numbers whenever possible. A good way of doing this is to create a false seedbed. This can be done by preparing the soil as though you are about to sow the lawn seed and waiting for about two to three weeks. By this time newly disturbed weed seeds in the soil will begin to grow. These can then be sprayed off again with glyphosate and the dead plant material removed before sowing the lawn seed.
   
   For further information on ground preparation see our how to lay a lawn page.
   
   
3. Sowing Lawn Seed
   
   Rake the topsoil over to create a fine tilth and a level surface where the seed is to be planted. The soil should then be packed down; the easiest way to do this is to trample the soil under your boots. Finally lightly rake the soil to create rows for the seed to be planted into.
   
   Spreading the Lawn Seed
   Spread the seed over the newly created seedbed. This can be done with a spreader. Be sure to apply the seed at the recommended rate shown on the container. Finally rake the soil again to cover the seed.
   
   Rolling the Lawn Seed
   Rolling will create a good contact between the seed and the soil and aid germination, as well as creating a flat lawn, therefore roll the seedbed using a light roller. Use a sprinkler to keep the seedbed moist (but not wet) until the seedlings emerge.
   
   Try to keep off the grass and keep it well watered for the first three to four weeks so that the roots can properly bed in.
   
   
4. Over-seeding or Patching with Lawn Seed
   
   It is important to resolve any problems that are causing thin or bare patches in your lawn before over-seeding. For advice on lawn problems see our Lawn Care page.
   
   To over-seed, you need to cut the existing grass as short as your mower will go. Remove any dead grass stems or leaves known as thatch by raking or scarifying the lawn. This will allow any seed added a good contact with the soil improving germination. You may also wish to aerate the soil and remove compaction using a fork or a lawn corer. Over-seeding should be done at a lower seeding rate, typically two thirds the initial sowing rate. Mix the seed with some top dressing and spread onto the area you are patching up. Brush this into the existing grass and lightly roll the area as this will aid germination of the seeds whilst encouraging fresh root growth of the grass already growing. Be sure to keep areas of patching up well watered, and try to stay off them until seedlings are well established.
   
   

1. First Mowing of new seeded Lawn
   
   It is important not to allow your new lawn to grow too long before mowing. You should consider mowing the lawn when the grass has grown to approximately five to eight cm (2”-3”). Try not to cut more than one third of the grass height off in any one mowing, in fact try to cut the lawn little and often, with about three days between each mowing. It is worth considering that the more often you mow your lawn the better, as mowing encourages tillers to grow out from the grass filling out the lawn more quickly. Gradually mow down to the suggested mowing height, details of this can be found in the specific seed mix information page as well as the container.
   
   
2. Weed Control in Lawn Grown From Seed
   
   Why are weeds more of a problem in young lawns?
   Immature lawns will not compete in the same way that mature lawns do, so weeds will inevitably invade.
   
   Will mowing get rid of weeds in my lawn?
   Mowing will kill off most annual weeds; however perennials will continue to grow.
   
   How can I get rid of weeds in my lawn?
   If you have the time you can pull out weeds as the grass grows. If you are too busy or your lawn is very large, a lawn weed killer is the most appropriate option. Pop down to your local garden centre and ask for a proprietary weed killer. Alternatively if you only have a few weeds, you could use a spot weed killer sprayed directly on to the weeds. This will avoid affecting the whole lawn. Note: Use weed killers with care on new lawns: always read the label on the can/pack to be sure that it will not adversely affect young lawns. Unfortunately there are no chemicals on the market to deal with grass weeds in a lawn. The best way to deal with these is to remove them with a sharp knife.
   
   At this point your lawn should be much more established and you should follow our Lawn Care Advice section for more instructions.