Grass Seed Hints & Tips

LAWN SEED SOWING & MAINTENANCE GUIDE

Grass seed is a very versatile and resilient product and is an ideal solution for producing an inexpensive lawn.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT MIXTURE

Grass seed mixtures are made up by blending several species together to formulate a mixture suited for a specific purpose of use.

It is important to select the right mixture and to avoid cheaper blends which may contain agricultural species and even weed seeds.

Our mixtures contain only the highest quality species and the following guide should help you to avoid selecting the wrong mixture.

Fine Leaved Perennial Ryegrass - Lolium perenne

Modern varieties of ryegrass are much more finer in appearance than the older coarse broad leaf types yet remain extremeley wear tolerant.

Chewings Fescue - Festuca rubra commutata

A rapidly developing species with narrow fine leaves forms a major component part of many non ryegrass mixtures.

Strong Creeping Red Fescue - Festuca rubra rubra

Most mixtures need binding species, varieties that spread and help to form a good dense turf.  This quicker establishing species is an essential part of hard wearing blends.

Slender Creeping Red Fescue - Festuca Rubra Litoralis

A very fine leaved species with superb binding capabilities mostly appears in non ryegrass formulations.

Smooth Stalk Meadow Grass - Poa pratensis

This is a power house of a species.  It is very wear resistant and contributes significantly to the tensile strength of the turf.

Browntop Bentgrass - Agrostis capillaris

Very much a species for specialist greens with high shoot density and stoloniferous growth habit and superb binding capacity.

Non Ryegrass Mixtures

These are extremely fine leaved blends and are ideal for ornamental lawns and formal gardens.

Premier Lawn - Our finest quality mixture ideal for show lawns and bowling greens.  It will tolerate close mowing and retains its colour over winter but requires regular maintenance with weed and feed management programmes to maintain the high quality.

Easy Lawn - Formulated to be drought tolerant and needs less maintenance and mowing.

Fine Lawn - This mixture is more durable but fine in appearance and is suited to both front and back lawns but not regular sports or young family use.

Rye Grass Mixtures

Quick Lawn - This mixture contains several species of modern fine leaved perennial ryegrass and tolerates excessive wear for those more active amongst you.

All Purpose - A special formulation producing a lush green lawn with high drought tolerance and has slower regrowth for reduced maintenance.

Back Lawn - This mixture is a high performance, hard wearing family lawn which will stand the rigours of young family members.

PREPARATION

BEFORE SOWING THE SEED, IT IS IMPORTANT TO PREPARE THE SOIL ADEQUATELY AND CREATE A LEVEL SEED BED.

The soil should be dug or forked over to a depth of 15cm removing any stones or weeds.

Roughly level out the soil with a rake after digging, and allow settling for a week.

Rake the site to remove new weeds and form a fine seed bed creating soil particles the size of biscuit crumbs.  Firm the soil down by treading the site evenly then rake level.

For best results, sprinkle a pre-seeding fertiliser (following the manufacturer’s instructions) over the area and rake into the seed bed.  Generally two to three days prior to seed being sown

SOWING THE SEED

GRASS SEED SHOULD BE SOWN ON A CALM, DRY DAY ANY TIME BETWEEN MARCH AND MID OCTOBER.

Mark the area out into square metres using canes and string.  Ensure the seeds are well mixed and sow at the recommended sowing rate of 35g to 50g per square metre.

Always follow the recommended sowing levels as lower sowing rates will mean your lawn will take longer to establish and may increase weed invasion and higher rates will increase the chance of new shoots getting diseased.

Scatter the seeds evenly moving left to right, top to bottom.

Lightly rake the seeded areas working from left to right and then front to back to partially cover the seed to a depth of 0.5cm.  Most of the seed left on the surface will still germinate.

CARING FOR YOUR SEEDLINGS

To deter birds dust-bathing in your new seed bed, stretch light string tied with lengths of silver foil across the area.  Standing on a plank will prevent you disturbing the newly sown seeds.  Alternatively stretch fruit netting over the top.

The new grass seedlings will appear 14-28 days after sowing depending on the weather.  If the weather is dry, water the area daily with a fine rose watering can or sprinkler to keep the seed bed moist.  Test your soil regularly by pushing your finger into it.

Encourage new shoots: Firm the soil when the grass has reached a height of 2.5cm using the back roller of your mower with the cutter head held high, or alternatively firm with feet.

Cutting the lawn:  On the first cut, when the lawn is 8cm, set the mower blades height to take off only 1.5cm.  Ensure the grass is dry and the mower freshly sharpened, take your time as the young growth will still be quite tender.  After four cuts, gradually lower the blades until the required height is achieved.

LAWN CARE

MOWING: For best results, mow about twice a week until established.  Then mow regularly depending on growth and weather conditions.  Always remove clippings.

FERTILISER AND WEED CONTROL: once your lawn is established, it can be kept in good condition by applying a Spring/Summer or Autumn/Winter fertiliser.  Lawn Feed and Weed killer, applied after the first six months, will keep the lawn healthy and control the growth of weeds already in your soil.

WATERING: In dry periods, watering will be required daily.

Raking: The use of a spring-time rake will stop the lawn becoming matted.  Try not to use your new lawn for heavy activities during its first year.

APPLICATION OF QUICK RELEASE FERTILISER

FOR BEST RESULTS DO NOT APPLY ONTO DAMP TURF IT MAY RESULT IN SCORCHING.

Safety- When applying, use gloves and avoid eye contact.  Wash hands after use.  Keep out of reach of children and pets.  If swallowed consult a doctor immediately.

Apply to seeded lawn surface by hand or with a spreader.  Use an application rate of 50 grams per square metre.  Scatter the fertiliser evenly over the lawn surface, moving left to right and top to bottom.

If it does not rain within 48 hours water lawn surface with a fine rose watering can or sprinkler.