Sowing a lawn
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When? Ideally you should begin preparing your soil in the late summer or late winter so that you are ready to sow in the autumn or spring when the weather is warm and there is plenty of moisture in the soil. Good soil preparation is the key to growing a beautiful lawn. You will need 10-15cm of well-drained topsoil. If you need to add topsoil, make sure that it is free of weeds - you may need to spray with a broad-spectrum herbicide to kill off existing weeds. Be prepared to spend time and effort to aerate the soil properly with a rotary hoe or by digging and raking it. If the soil is heavy you may need to dig in gypsum or coarse sand to improve drainage. Levelling the lawn is essential to remove dips and hollows which can turn into puddles and make mowing difficult. The centre of the lawn should be slightly raised to assist water run-off. Not all grass seed is alike. Make sure you choose a seed mixture that is suitable for your area. Dry coastal areas require a quite different mix from wetter regions. A good nursery will be able to tell you what is most appropriate. You will need 25 – 30g/sq m. To ensure an even seed coverage, divide the seed mixture in two, then work in metre wide strips across the length of your lawn, then repeat the process working across the width of the lawn. This ensures complete seed coverage. Rake over lightly to cover the seeds. A newly laid lawn needs to be kept moist, but should not be watered excessively before the seed germinates. If you are over-vigourous with your watering you will wash seeds away. Your lawn should be mowed for the first time when it is about 7cm high. For the first mow, set the blade high, so it is only cutting about half the height of grass. This encourages it to thicken. After the grass has been cut a few times, a lawn fertiliser can be used to promote vigourous healthy growth. |
