Turf or seeding
chicken chaser
Posts: 147
My current lawn is improving weekly as I've treated it well this year, but I wish to add to it. There's a gap right down the middle of it where I've removed an old patio path, and theres an L shaped area which has had gravel and concrete removed which I want to cover.
I'm currently sorting the soil out ready for grass, but dont know whether to turf it or sow it with seed. Its about 50-70m2 so not a great size, but about £20 vs £200.
I've turfed in my old house, with mixed results but would like a thick sward in this one which matches the current lawn. I also want the lawn to be fairly consistent, which makes me think that turf would show the depressions slightly between new and old grass where topsoil levelled and over the edges of the current lawn should allow it to blend in better?
Shall I have a stab at seeding or with that size plot, am I wasting my time?
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The soil is warm and they moist autumn days are upon us. I would sow seed, but then I am a cheapskate. seriously though it is a good time to be sowing seed.
Thanks, any recommended varieties?
I think whatever you do cc - you'll have to blend carefully with the grass you have or it will be noticeable. For that reason, I'd use seed, and I'd make sure some went over the existing grass. . Mix some seed with a bit of soil/compost and scatter it when you're ready to do the new bits, so that it's done at the same time. Make sure you tamp down the soil on the areas where you've removed the path etc, and then rake to get as even a finish as possible. You might need to leave those parts for a little while then top up, as soil can settle quite a bit especially after rain.
The seed you use depends on what you'll want to use the grass for. I'm not an expert on that but GCs will stock a good enough variety, so perhaps do a little research there first if no one comes along here to assist
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thanks FG, I've ordered some Lawnsmith Classic, as I did check to see what I already have and its a mix of rye and fine grasses. Its pretty hardwearing still, but the good think about the Classic mix is that it can be used on pretty much any soil surface.
I'm currently digging my way around the garden, not so much turning it but opening it up. Its heavy clay in parts (some areas seem to have a good amount of topsoil even though its level which is odd) , so will need some work. I'll probably have to get some topsoil so that the top inch or so is a good tilth to take the seed.
I havent yet had chance to put it in. I'm hoping that I can get the topsoil in the morning. I've raked over the ground so far which is heavy clay and dug in some rotted manure and sharp sand into it. I've then trod on it flattening it out, raked it to remove all big lumps and raked again. I've got some topsoil which i've sieved out, and levelled with the current grass but I need more. I'm hoping 3 tonnes comes tomorrow so I can finish it off, before sowing it. I've got a mix of Dwarf Rye, Strong Red Fescue, Creeping Fescue and brown bent top.
It'll be ok to sow this week wont it?
I'm sure that'll be fine cc.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I sowed it yesterday, about 30m2 in total so just keeping it watered now, waiting to see those first green shoots. Hopefully should start seeing something the end of next week.
Good luck, any more update pics? Any ideas for the other patio area yet?
I'm going to create a separate progress thread BM so i'll put all of the photos in there.
Well done for getting the seeds sown and for watering well, we should get some rain soon that will do it good. It wont grow much this year but in the S
pring will shoot away.
Nothing wrong with being a cheapskate, Toots, more money to buy plants with now.