Growing a lawn from seed - new build house

leejayd · Post by **leejayd** » Sun Mar 21, 2010 12:59 pm

I'm moving into a new build house at the end of June. I plan on growing grass from seeds. I've been reading the many posts about laying turf on the forum.

Will I need to do anything different considering I'm using seeds and the fact that it's a new build - I suppose it depends on the condition of the soil right?

Also, I heard it's best to sow a lawn in the autumn. I assume for the rain?

I will probably be working on the garden in mid-July. I don't mind waiting for autumn and spending the time between now and then preparing the soil if this will give me a better lawn.

I'd appreciate any advice.

Lee

mikew1972 · Post by **mikew1972** » Sun Mar 21, 2010 1:10 pm

Yes spring or autumn is the best time, mainly because of the rain.
If you could start preparing the ground soon and sow the soon say by the end of April itwould be just as good. Otherwise wait until September unless you will not be on a water meter and you are prepared to spend a few hours watering it 2 or 3 times a week. Even with regular watering in a really hot spell it could die in july / august unless the lawn is mainly in the shade. The problem is that if it does not take it not only costs you again in seed but you have to loosen the soil and re-roll etc. - basically start again rather than just sprinkle some more seed a couple of months later.
Waiting until autumn at this stage also gives time for any persistant weeds to show and be dug out before sowing the seed. Look to turn the ground over when you move in then just leave it. Turn it over again in the autumn when you start actually preparing the seed bed - the rolling and levelling etc.

thescruff · Post by **thescruff** » Sun Mar 21, 2010 1:26 pm

You have to consider the birds through the summer more, especially pigeons, that will eat the seed faster than you can throw it down.

leejayd · Post by **leejayd** » Sun Mar 21, 2010 1:57 pm

Cheers for the advice. I will sow in the autumn - no doubt the back garden will be a mess when I move in so at least I'll have some time to prep it.

Re weeds? is it enough for me to pull them up (inc. root) to limit their return or should I apply some other treatment?

mikew1972 · Post by **mikew1972** » Mon Mar 22, 2010 11:00 am

Depends how bad the weeds are and what type they are. I'd dig over when you move in, pulling out the roots of bind weed, dandelions etc as you go then wait to see what comes up. If you get a lot comming up wait until they have well and truely shown (as the weedkiller works best when it is absorbed through the leaves) then apply the weedkiller. If you need the weedkiller you want to be applying it at least 3 months before you sow the grass seed as some of the more effective types hang around in the soil for some time.