In order for a lawn to fulfill its task as a gardener's green business card, professional sowing is essential. Here you will receive the tools you need for perfect new lawn seeding. The lawn becomes a green living space with a high envy factor.

When is the best time to reseed the lawn?

The time window for sowing lawn seeds opens twice a year. In order for the light germs to grow into a dense carpet after the shortest possible germination time, you should scatter the lawn seed at this time:

  • When the soil temperature permanently exceeds the 10 degree mark in spring
  • The best time for the first sowing is from the beginning of May to the beginning of June
  • The second suitable time for reseeding the lawn is in the autumn from mid-September to the beginning of October

Spring sowing is favored by the long time available for the grass roots to grow vigorously. A time in autumn scores with sun-warmed soil for a short germination time and reduced watering, as it rains more frequently at this time of year.

The most important lawn types at a glance

Reseeding a lawn is undoubtedly one of the most demanding jobs in the garden. In order for the efforts to be crowned with success, the choice of the best possible lawn seed plays an important role. The following overview presents the most important lawn types as a decision-making aid:

Lawn types for sowing English lawn shadow lawn utility lawn Sports and play turf dry grass cheap grass
Ideal number of shoots/m² 100.000 90.000 80.000 60.000 50.000 20,000 (minimum)
shade tolerance high very high medium/low medium/low small amount medium/low
durability durable durable very durable very durable walkable walkable
weed infestation very low small amount small amount small amount medium high
water demand very high high medium medium small amount very high
Fertilize 4 times a year 3-4 times a year 2-3 times a year 2-3 times a year 0-1x per year 3-4 times a year

Prepare the soil professionally - this is how the rough planum succeeds

In order for lawn seeds to actually germinate and grow after sowing, careful preparation of the soil is required. Once the time for the new lawn has been chosen, treat the soil as follows:

  • Dig the soil 1-2 spades deep at least 14 days before sowing
  • Remove all weeds, roots, stones and debris
  • Distribute compost and horn meal and work into the top layer of soil with a rake
  • Spread a layer of sand on loamy-clay soil and rake in
  • Roll the soil and water repeatedly with a fine water jet

The area should now rest until the lawn seed is sown so that the soil can settle. In very dry weather, we recommend repeatedly blasting the ground over the following 2-3 weeks. If possible, do not step on or roll the area during this time in order not to cause unnecessary soil compaction.

tips

A heavily weeded area should not be tilled before sowing the lawn, because this machine also distributes the weeds in the soil. In this case, soil preparation using ditches is advantageous. You dig up the soil step by step in furrows and throw the soil through a throw-through sieve. The last furrow dug is filled with the cleaned soil. The last trench is filled with the clean soil from the first furrow.

Lawn seeds want this fine planum

After a suitable rest period, carry out the fine leveling on the day of sowing. This work step between the rough preparation of the soil and the spreading of the lawn seed is advisable both in spring and in autumn from mid-September to the beginning of October. A soil that is as finely crumbly as possible shortens the germination period considerably. How to do it right:

  • Rake up the surface of the soil with a rake and weed it thoroughly
  • Work the soil with the rake to create a finely crumbly surface
  • If there are still larger clumps, roll and rake the soil again
  • Do not enter the area again until sowing

Don't settle for the surface until it's perfectly flat and crumbly like sand cake. You will be rewarded for this care in the further course with a short germination period and a disproportionate germination rate of the lawn seeds.

Sow lawn seed in an exemplary manner - this is how it works

If the perfectly prepared area spreads out in front of you, you have mastered the most strenuous part of reseeding the lawn in an exemplary manner. Ideally, you have a spreader or hand spreader available for the next step in order to distribute the lawn seeds evenly. How to proceed:

  • Mix the lawn seed well by hand and fill it into the device for spreading
  • Distribute the lawn seeds on the soil lengthwise and crosswise
  • Use the rake to work the light germs into the soil a maximum of 1 centimeter deep
  • Roll the seedbed in a checkerboard pattern for optimal soil contact
  • Finally, water the lawn seed with a fine spray

In the next 3 weeks, sufficient water supply for the sowing is the focus of maintenance work. Irrigate the lawn seed 4-5 times a day for 10 minutes each time. The earth must not silt up under any circumstances. Only enter the area for this measure so that the seedlings can grow and thrive in peace.

As has been repeatedly established in field trials, the simultaneous distribution of lawn seed and starter fertilizer has a negative effect on the germination time or has no effect at all. This applies both to new lawn seeds in spring and in autumn from mid-September to early October. Limit yourself to regular watering for the first few weeks.

How much lawn seed to distribute per square meter?

The optimum sowing quantity depends on the selected type of lawn in each individual case. You can read the exact information on the packaging of the lawn seed. If this information is no longer available, a quantity of 20 to 25 grams of lawn seed per square meter is considered appropriate. The following table is intended to provide assistance in converting the required amount of lawn seed in kilograms:

Lawn area in sqm Kg seed at a dosage of 20 g/sqm Kg seed at a dosage of 25 g/sqm
50 sqm 1.00kg 1.25kg
100 sqm 2.00kg 2.50kg
150 sqm 3.00kg 3.75kg
200 sqm 4.00kg 5.00kg
500 sqm 10.00kg 12.50kg
750 sqm 15.00kg 18.75kg
1,000 sqm 20.00kg 25.00kg
2,000 sqm 40.00kg 50.00kg

When is the lawn mowed for the first time after sowing?

A large number of factors determine the further course of growth after a new lawn has been seeded. The germination time depends on the quality of the lawn seed as well as on the weather conditions. We therefore do not calculate the time for the first mowing in days and weeks, but in the growth height of the stalks. When the grass has reached a height of 8-10 centimetres, mow your new lawn for the first time.

When is the first fertilizer applied after the lawn has been reseeded?

If you have mowed your new lawn for the first time after sowing, this is the ideal time for the first dose of fertilizer. A soil analysis reveals the actual need for nutrients. You should pay attention to the following aspects:

  • Spoil new lawns in the spring with a fertilizer high in nitrogen and phosphate
  • Apply a potassium-rich supplement in the fall after reseeding the lawn
  • Give preference to organic or organo-mineral fertilizers

It is important to note that after fertilizing you sprinkle the lawn repeatedly until the agent has been completely absorbed by the grass. Until then, the green should not be walked on or mowed.

tips

As light germinators, grass seed pecking birds are helplessly at the mercy of the need for a protective layer of soil. Experienced hobby gardeners therefore sieve the lawn seed with the seed helper Vermiculite. The fine silicate plates let enough light through, store rainwater and protect the fine seeds from hungry beaks.

Category:

Garden design