Shady Area Lawn 500g Seed Grass Shade (Covers 10 Square

How much grass seed will I need?

Lots of factors can affect the amount of grass seed you will need, including the area you will have to cover, and how well the soil you are sowing has been prepared and protected. As a general rule for new sowings, 1kg of grass seed will cover around 20-25 square metres. If you are oversowing, 1kg will cover as much as 80 square metres.

If you are unsure about how much grass seed you will need it is always best to order more than you think you might require, as any spare can be kept for up to 2 years if stored correctly in a cool dry place. This will also give you extra in case you need to patch any areas after the lawn is established.

When should I sow my grass seed?

The ideal conditions for sowing grass seed are in soil that is warm, with regular dampness from rain and no competition from other plants. Therefore, the best time of year to sow is generally between late summer and early autumn, as these are the most likely times for these conditions to be in place. Any later than this and you run the risk of a frost, which will kill grass seed and prevent it growing.

If you cannot sow during these months, the next best opportunity would be in mid-late spring, providing you can keep the soil well watered and there is no chance of frost. It is not a good idea to sow during the summer, as too much heat will make the soil too hard for the seed to take.

How do I sow a new lawn?

To sow a new lawn:

• Prepare the area by skimming off old grass and removing any large stones
• Fork over the site, then rake it level
• If desired you can rake in some fertiliser a few days before sowing, but this may not be necessary providing the conditions are right
• Sow the seed, then lightly rake over and water
• After sowing make sure the area remains protected from birds, preferably with netting, and prevent any pets or people from walking on it
• Pull up any weeds that grow by hand before they flower (once established the lawn should naturally stifle most weed growth)
• Keep well watered during dry spells, and do not cut the grass until the lawn is well established

How long will the seed take to grow?

There is no absolute rule about how long a lawn will take to grow, and much of it has to do with how well you maintain it and whether it is well protected while germinating. Usually you will see the grass begin to sprout after about 10 days, and the lawn should be fully established within 2 months.

While the lawn is growing, you can help maintain it with careful cutting. Once the grass is around 2 inches long, cut it back to around 1 inch with a mower and gently rake up any trimmings. Repeat this process for the next few times you cut, until the lawn has been fully established.