A green lawn, newly mown and with edges clipped turns even the most ordinary garden into something special.
There are many reasons why it pays to start a lawn from seed: seeding is less expensive than buying turf; a wider range of seed mixtures for particular conditions is available from seed than from turf and seed can be stored until conditions are ideal, whereas turf may deteriorate if not laid within 24 hours of delivery. But good coverage does take a little longer.
Lawn seed is also ideal to use for over- planting where heavy traffic or shade has caused thinning of the seed mat.
Lawn seed can be sown almost year round, however the only time that is not ideal is during the winter months when night temperatures are too low for seed germination.
To sow the seed loosen the soil thoroughly and then level with a rake, removing all weeds, stones and rocks.
Mix the seed with dry, sifted sand or soil and rake-in lightly. Follow spreading rate instructions as per the packet or box of seed.
Seed must be sown at the correct depth. Buried too deep the plant will run out of energy trying to reach the surface; left on the surface, it may dry out, get too much sun or grow with no good anchor in the ground. Hungry birds will also definitely be tempted to come and eat the free meal laid out for them. Remember to cover with soil not compost as this dries to too easily and will affect germination rates.
It is important to press the seed into the soil, with a roller or lightly trampled by foot, as this ensures that the seed comes into direct contact with the moisture in the soil.
After sowing, water well but take care that no puddles form as this might cause the seed to wash. Keep the soil damp during germination (7-14 days); thereafter reduce watering depending on soil type and temperatures.
The first mowing should be delayed until the grass is 70-80mm long. Thereafter the lawn should not be cut shorter than 50mm, in the case of tufted (non-creeping) lawns.
Like anything else in the garden a small amount of care at the right time actually goes a long way.
Fertilise the lawn every two to three months, with Vigorosa 5:1:5 (25) which is high in potassium, as this promotes disease resistance. Water well after fertilising.
As lawns have a lot of human contact go for the environmentally friendly option when dealing with pests such as Ludwig’s insect Spray+ which is ideal to use for lawn care and will control mole crickets and ants. Lawn Caterpillar, which causes brown patches on lawns, can be eradicated with Margaret Roberts Biological Caterpillar insecticide. It is a biological control and not a poison, so it does not harm bird life, other natural predators or earthworms.
Kirchhoff’s Kikuyu and Wonderlawn are now available with Yellow Jacket seed coating, which is like having a sponge around each and every seed, saving water and labour. The coating holds moisture and other nutrients around the seed – making them available as needed for germination and faster growth. The end result is higher germination and less watering. The coloured coating also makes seeding easier as the seed is much more easily seen. When used for over-seeding, the heavier coated seed will move down into the turf faster and easier than uncoated seed.