How to Grow Grass Seed - Grass Seeding Guide

Growing a New Lawn From Seed - Boston Seeds

Growing grass seed is the best way to grow a lawn; it allows you to choose the best grass seed species to suit your garden and soil type.

These 10 simple steps show the best way to grow grass from seed, helping you to create that perfect lawn:

Step 1 - Clear the area

Prepare the soil for grass seed by clearing the area and removing any large stones, weeds and other debris.

Step 2 - Improve the soil

It's easier to fix soil problems before your new lawn is in place. For clay soils, mix in sharp sand to aid drainage and composition. Cultivate the soil to a depth of 15cm (6") to aerate the soil and break up compaction. This creates better drainage and aids nutrient distribution. Remove any further debris which is unearthed.

Step 3 - Create a level seed bed

Rake the area, then level the surface. This can be done by dragging a straight edge, (such as a length of heavy timber) in different directions across the surface. Then use a lawn roller to firm the soil so that it is possible to stand on the surface without leaving imprints.

Step 4 - Allow the soil to settle

By leaving the soil for a week, any sinkage will occur before the lawn is in place, allowing it to be rectified before sowing. If weeds have been prevalent in the area, wait for the first flush of weeds to germinate and remove these before sowing.

Step 5 - Final ground preparation

Lightly work the surface with a rake to create a fine tilth. Adding a Pre-seeding Lawn Fertiliser ensures the soil contains all of the nutrients required for grass seed to develop healthily.

Step 6 - Buy your grass seed

It's important to buy the best grass seed for your soil type and situation - our handy guide on which grass seed is best will help you figure out which seed is most suitable.

Here at Boston Seeds, we offer a wide range of mixtures tailored for specific needs; such as hard wearing grass seeds for dog friendly lawns, grass seed for shade or any other application.

We also have a handy grass seed calculator so you know exactly how much grass seed you need.

Step 7 - Sowing grass seed

When spreading grass seeds, it is important to sow the seed evenly at the recommended sowing rate for grass seed. We advise using a grass seed spreader to make life easier and ensure an even result.

Step 8 - Tread/roll the grass seeds in

The new grass seeds must be in good contact with the soil to ensure they germinate properly. Treading or rolling the surface will ensure that emerging roots find their way into the soil. For larger areas, harrowing the area will ensure good contact with the soil.

Step 9 - Water

Grass seed requires warmth, light and moisture to germinate. If the conditions are too dry in the first 2 weeks the seeds can die. Light watering for the first few weeks can help, but is generally not necessary with average rainfall over-watering constantly reduces soil temperature and will not aid germination.

Step 10 - Mowing the lawn

Grass seed should germinate within 14-21 days. Once it reaches 3 - 4 inches long, start to cut the grass. Gradually reduce the height by ½ inch (1cm) each time you mow the lawn until you achieve your ideal mowing height.

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Have a question about best practice when it comes to growing your lawn from grass seed? Or unsure which grass seed is best for your needs? Get in touch with our friendly experts who'll be happy to help.