When can I Walk on my New Lawn?
You can walk on your new lawn gently, with smooth soled shoes at any time though you should try to minimise how often and not use the same track. You may need to do so for watering or topping up a few patches with seed. You will not harm seed, seedlings or newly laid turf. However, you should not twist, jump or run as this may dislodge turf or disturb seed.
When can I USE my New Lawn?
This is the more important question and the reason you’ve laid a lawn in the first place. 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.
What’s the time difference for seed vs turf?
Not a lot, perhaps 4-6 weeks quicker for turf over a seeded lawn. Unfortunately, that’s where many of the benefits end. For more information read Seed vs Turf
New Lawns from Seed
One of the best selling points for seed is that you can double the recommended sowing rate. This increases density and brings the lawn into use a little sooner.
What you can do on the lawn and when
You should be doing the first cut slowly when the seedlings are 5-8cm tall. Perhaps 2-3 warm weeks or 4 cool weeks from seeding. Use the highest mower setting for the first 2-3 months.
The 2nd cut should be done so that you’re not removing more than a fifth or 20% of the grass blade.
At the 3rd cut you should now have a very recognisable lawn with few bare patches. This will have taken 4 to possibly 8 weeks. Keeping the mower on a high setting reduces stress on the young grass and promotes deeper roots.
4th cut onwards. You can reduce the mowing height a little but try and keep the grass on the long side for the first 6 months, so aim around 5-6cm. You can also now start using the lawn in a gentle fashion as the roots will be consolidating the soil quite well.
If you feel any softness, perhaps due to a lot of rain, reduce activity until it firms slightly. Though children and dogs may want to be let loose it is best to control heavy play for the first 4-6 months.
New Lawns from Turf
Keep off where possible until the turf has started knitting. Knitting is the term used to describe the roots knitting into the soil surface. You can test this by trying to gently lift a corner of turf. If it lifts stay off and retest in 4-7 days. If it doesn’t lift, then you can progress to mowing.
What you can do on the lawn and when
You should be doing the first cut slowly when the grass is 5-8cm tall. Perhaps 2 warm weeks or 3-4 cool weeks from turfing. Use the highest mower setting for the first 2-3 months.
The 2nd cut should be done so that you’re not removing more than a fifth or 20% of the grass blade.
3rd cut onwards. You can reduce the mowing height a little but try and keep the grass on the long side for the first 4-6 months, so aim around 5-6cm. You can also now start using the lawn in a gentle fashion as the roots will be consolidating the soil well.
If you feel any softness, perhaps due to a lot of rain, reduce activity until it firms slightly. Though children and dogs may want to be let loose it is best to control heavy play for the first 4-6 months.
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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![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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![Can I mix Grass Seeds Together?]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsLawn 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.
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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.
