Sowing Grass Seed

If you have checked our pages and followed our advice on grass seed germination and preparing the seed bed, some of the hard work is done, but you don’t want to let down that effort in the sowing. Our advice below will ensure that you that you get the best possible results. (If you are looking to overseed an existing lawn see our page on overseeding and renovation).

Firstly you will need to ensure you have enough grass seed for the area you want to cover. We recommend a sowing rate of 50grams per square metre. Measure the area out accurately and use our grass seed calculator to work out how much you will need for the area. Remember to overestimate slightly for any patches or repair that may need doing subsequently. Grass seed will keep for a long while if kept sealed in dry conditions.

For best results, a grass seed spreader can be used to ensure an even distribution of seed. There are a variety of types available dependent on the size of the area to be sown. This can also be doubled up for use to spread fertiliser as and when required, and will even be useful for spreading of salt in the winter months.

To further ensure an even spread of seed, spread once in one direction and then go over again in another direction e.g. from front to back then from left to right. If sowing by hand it can be useful to divide the area in to equal areas such as a metre square, and divide the grass seed in to the measure you wish to sow. Garden canes are suitable for dividing the area.

Once you have sown the seed, rake gently to encourage the seed amongst the soil but not to bury or ‘plant’ it. Dependent on the weather conditions, your lawn should start to appear in as little as 14 days with some of the harder wearing varieties only taking 3-4 days. Keep off the lawn for a minimum of six weeks to ensure it is given the best chance to establish.

It’s very important to care for your lawn effectively, especially when it is still establishing.