Over Seeding to Change Grass Type

A 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.

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.

Temperature 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.

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.

For 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.

Grass 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.

Whether 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

Covering 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.

In 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.

A 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.

Weeds 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.

Care 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.

The 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.

During 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.

Sandy 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.

When 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.

Choosing grass seed for wet shade, building and fence shade, dry shade from trees and partial shade from objects distant from the lawn

This is a dry place where trees or other plants out compete the grass for ground water and may also prevent showers reaching the lawn.

Areas of lawn where little light gets to the grass for long periods usually from autumn through to spring.

For slow-growing grass varieties suitable for UK lawns you can consider the following options though there are considerable downsides!

Letting your lawn go to seed is a personal decision that depends on your preferences and goals for your grass. Nature vs nurture!

Lawn seed will already be a mixture of a variety of grass species. Mixing two together before sowing just halves the benefits and doesn't increase them.