Grass Seed vs Fresh Turf
When a garden is in need of lawn repair, the first port of call for many gardeners is to sow grass seed to any effected areas. This however can be a painfully slow process. When applying grass seed, applying a light fertiliser to the new grass will give it a much-needed nutrient boost. Another option is to completely replace the lawn with freshly harvested turf rolls, but which one should you opt for?
How to Sow Grass Seed:
Timing The first thing that should be on your mind when sowing grass seed is timing, for the best results you should only sow grass seed in the springtime from March to May or in the early autumn from September to mid-October
Prepare the Ground: For grass seed to be effective, ground preparation is the key. Start by removing any debris, weeds or existing vegetation on your plot of land. Adding topsoil or soil improver is a great way to ensure your grass seed gets the best head start. Rake the ground flat so your plot of land is nice and even. Lightly compress the soil by walking across it, or for large areas – a light roller will also do the trick.
Applying the Grass Seed: Apply the seed to the ground as evenly as possible – the instructions on your specific type of seed will recommend exactly how much to apply to the ground. We recommend walking across the ground in straight lines as you spread the grass seed, overlapping yourself twice.
Watering: Water the seed and allow it to germinate. One good long soak in the late afternoon is the ideal time and beats several short soaks. Ensure to not over-water by washing away any seeds or leaving puddles in the soil. Water the grass seed every day for the next 10-14 days, it should soon grow into
Grass Seed vs Fresh Turf:
It can be difficult to know whether to choose fresh turf or sowing your own grass seed - to help you decide below are the pros and cons for each option!
Turf Advantages
- Fast & effective method of transforming your garden
- Can be delivered to you with next day delivery and a delivery slot of your choice.
- Easiest way to professional looking lawn
- Easy to lay, requires no previous experience!
- Can easily achieve tidy lawn edges by cutting the turf to fit your garden properly.
- In just 2-3 weeks the lawn will have fully taken root!
Turf Disadvantages:
- Handling turf is physically demanding task
- Laying turf can be a dirty job!
- Perishes quickly, turf should really be laid on the same day as it is delivered and so requires some planning.
Grass Seed Advantages
- Inexpensive
- Ideal for patching bare spots in the lawn
- Does not perish like turf and can be stored long term for future use.
- Cleaner and less physically demanding
Grass Seed Disadvantages
- Sowing new lawns with seed can often be uneven
- Grass seed will attract birds and other pests that can eat away at your seed as it begins to germinate.
- It takes much longer to fully develop. Mature lawns can take up to 12 months to develop.
- There is a confusing amount of grass seed mixes available - they may not match your current lawn if used for patching.
As a turf supplier, Online Turf specialise in delivering high quality fresh turf directly to the customer - no middle men, and no old turf like the rolls left on a store shelf. Whether you are choosing to buy turf or use grass seed in your garden, check out our products section for screened topsoil to get the perfect start for your new lawn, or our compost range to give your plants a nutrient boost.
How to Lay Turf:
Check out our in depth turf laying guide for everything you need to know about laying turf in your garden!
