Can I mix Grass Seeds Together?
Any seed you buy will already be a mixture of a variety of grass species blended to achieve certain purposes. Some mixtures may only include two grass species where others may have seven or eight. So, mixing two mixtures together before sowing just halves the benefits of any one seed mixture so not something to be recommended.
Blending Different Seed Areas
If you have two adjoining areas where two different grass seeds are to be used blend them into each other. For example, you need to over seed an area about 1 metre wide down the shady side of a fence that is thinning.
Start by giving the strip a hard rake or scarify to really thin existing grasses. Then give a medium rake or scarify to the adjoining lawn so that you have a second strip about half to one metre wide for the full length of the strip to be over seeded. Make sure to retain at least 50% of the original grass here. The total area to be seeded is now 1.5 to 2 metres wide. The heavily scarified strip by the fence will now be dominated by your new seed whilst the adjoining strip will be a mix of old and new. Once the new seed has germinated it will gently merge from the new grass into the existing grass without any sudden change.
I Can’t Find the Right Grass Seed Mixture
This often happens. For example, the busy parent with kids and a dog wants a hard-wearing lawn that will grow slowly and only need cutting once a month! Unfortunately, such a grass seed mixture doesn’t exist as slow growing means slow repairing and slow recovery after use. A hard-wearing lawn that can withstand heavy use needs to grow reasonably quickly so that it repairs itself constantly.
Similarly, seed that puts up with quite a lot of shade can’t withstand dry conditions. So, shade grasses are good for fence lines but not under trees where it is usually very dry once leaves are on the trees.
This means you are not going to always get what you need so prioritise the special requirements you have for your lawn.
For kids and dogs, you need a good rye grass mixture and you’ll just have to be prepared to mow more often. Getting the right mower such as a rotary or even a robot mower will help reduce time inputs a lot.
For under trees use a drought tolerant seed and then see what you can do with the tree canopy to let some light through.
If you go to the Lawnsmith Grass Seed page you can use the column on the far left to play around with your priorities to refine your choice. You can choose from:
- Usage such as games or for great looks
- Soil type – Clay, sandy or chalk
- Leaf type – fine or flat
- How green the grass is
- Growth rate from slow to fast
- Extreme conditions such as shade
In Summary
- Don’t mix different seed mixtures together
- Grass grows on the African plains and savannas in abundance and doesn’t grow in woodlands. Grass likes the sun
- Getting the right mixture for your lawn is sometimes a matter of trial and error
- If the conditions are not easy for growing grass you may need to over seed every spring
- Over seeding to change grass type may need repeated seedings over several years to affect a good change
Buy Lawnsmith Grass Seed Mixtures
More Grass Seeding Techniques and Problems
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![How to Plant Grass Seed for Guaranteed Success]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsA step by step guide on how to prepare the ground, sow your grass seed, protect and nurture it to create a brilliant lawn in a matter of weeks.
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![All about Grass Seed Germination]()
Planting and growing a lawn from grass seed requires warmth, moisture and air to ensure success. Learn what's needed for a great lawn in quick order.
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![Seed vs Turf]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsTemperature and moisture are the two main factors when it comes to planting and germinating grass seed whether that's for a new lawn or when over seeding.
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![How to Water Grass Seed]()
Watering grass seed is quite different from the way you would water a lawn. The golden rule is never let the seed dry out so frequent light watering is needed.
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![When to Feed New Grass]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsFor convenience you can fertilise the seeded lawn area on the day of sowing however, due to changing weather patterns this may not always be best.
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![Why Grass Seed doesn’t Grow!]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsGrass seed is easy to germinate and grow into a lawn if you get the planting, moisture and temperature right. Here are some very common grass seed sowing mistakes.
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![Stop Birds Eating my Grass Seed]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsWhether you're planting grass seed for a new lawn or just seeding a few patches birds can be a problem so here are some ways to stop birds eating your seed
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![The No 1 Best Way to Protect Grass Seed]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsCovering your precious newly planted grass seed with polythene sheeting is not only an effective protection from birds but also drying winds and torrential downpours. Very cheap, easy to lay and speeds germination.
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![How Long Will Grass Seed Keep For?]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsIn general grass seed will keep for up to 5 years if fresh to begin with. The biggest influence on germination is how well it is stored not the age.
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![Is my Grass Seed Dead?]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsA simple test for viability. This test can be performed on grass seed that has been sown or is yet to be sown. Ideal for checking if old seed will germinate.
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![I've got Weeds in my Lawn after Seeding]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsWeeds in newly seeded soil is normal. Digging, scarifying or new soil wakes dormant seeds. Most will disappear with the first cut but some require weed killer.
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![When can I Start Mowing my New Grass?]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsCare must be taken when cutting a new lawn for the first time as the grass is tender and the roots are shallow. Sharp mower blades and dry grass are essential.
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![When can I Walk on my New Lawn?]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsThe best way to decide is not by time but by the condition of the grass. Grass seed or turf laid in perfect conditions in April in Cornwall will establish twice as quickly as that sown in Aberdeen.
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![Winter Lawn Damage]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsDuring winter several things can go wrong with your lawn from grass thinning a little, complete loss of grass in some areas to an invasion of moss and strange coloured patches in the lawn.
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![Grass Seed for Dry Areas]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsSandy or poor soils and the drier east of the country are presented with a challenge when it comes to lawn care. Choosing drought tolerant grasses will help.
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![Grass Seed for Clay Soil]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsWhen dealing with clay soil, it's important to choose grass seed varieties that are well-suited to these conditions. Here are a few grass seed options that tend to perform well in clay soils.
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![What Lawn Seed for Shaded Areas]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsChoosing grass seed for wet shade, building and fence shade, dry shade from trees and partial shade from objects distant from the lawn
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![Grass Seed for Under Trees - Dry Shade]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsThis is a dry place where trees or other plants out compete the grass for ground water and may also prevent showers reaching the lawn.
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![Grass Seed for Heavy Shade or Wet Shade]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsAreas of lawn where little light gets to the grass for long periods usually from autumn through to spring.
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![Slow Growing Grass for Lawns]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsFor slow-growing grass varieties suitable for UK lawns you can consider the following options though there are considerable downsides!
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![Should I let my Lawn go to Seed?]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsLetting your lawn go to seed is a personal decision that depends on your preferences and goals for your grass. Nature vs nurture!
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![Over Seeding a Lawn]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsOver seeding with grass seeds that are different to your existing grass will change the composition of the lawn. Expect a 10 to 20% change each over seeding.
