How to sow grass seed

Sowing grass seed to make a new lawn allows you to choose a grass seed mixture most appropriate for your needs. Whether you want a general-purpose lawn, a bowling green lawn or a hard-wearing football pitch, there's the perfect grass seed mix for you. There are also lawn seed mixes to buy for shady gardens and dry gardens.

Hardwearing lawns are usually composed of a mix of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and strong red fescue (Festuca rubra). Ornamental lawns tend to contain a mix of low-growing, fine-leaved slender red fescue (Festuca rubra subsp. rubra) and bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera).

How to sow grass seed

You can sow grass seed in spring or autumn. If sowing in autumn, the seed will germinate quickly as the ground is warm and moist. Germination may be slightly slower in spring. Prepare the soil well by digging over, removing weeds and raking level. It's a good idea to sow grass seed just after rain or before light rain is due, so the seed will germinate quickly. Avoid sowing during a prolonged dry spell or ahead of heavy rains, which can wash grass seeds away.