Buying Guide

Unsure where to find the best seed for your lawn? Here are some things to consider that can help you find something suitable for your lawn!

Seed Type

The type of seed you buy is very important – different types are suitable for different garden conditions!

Ryegrass is the hardest wearing grass seed, making it a fine choice for people with children, pets, or both. While not the most luxurious looking grass, it does have a nice appearance and more importantly can withstand the wear and tear of a busy family and lots of foot traffic.

They are also used in general-purpose mixes, usually combined with something a bit finer. This blend of hard-wearing dwarf ryegrass and higher quality grass like creeping red fescues that offer a nice balance of luxury and durability.

Finally, we have ornamental seeds. These usually contain premium quality fescues grasses like brown top, creeping red fescues, and chewings fescues. Although not the hardest wearing grass, they offer a fine finish and are perfect for getting an ornamental finish, just remember they need more maintaining than other seeds!

Soil Type

Soil plays an important role in deciding what seeds are best for your lawn. Most hardwearing and general-purpose seed mixes are fine with any type of soil whether its clay or sandy. For tougher grass seeds you don’t need to worry about the soil effecting germination or growing rates, instead it will influence how often you need to water the soil when growing the seeds.

For instance, sandy soil drains much better than clay, meaning you may need to water the lawn more often when germinating and growing.

If you are using ornamental grass seeds then you should check soil acidity. Fescue grasses prefer slightly acidic soil, so try to determine how acidic it is before buying! There are cheap soil testing kits that can be used to check the pH level of soil, so make sure to do this if going for luxury lawn seeds.

Sun and Shade

How much sun and shade the lawn sees will influence what are best suited for your garden. For example, lawns with shaded parts typically need harder wearing seeds like dwarf ryegrass, which are tough perennials that don’t require lots of sunlight.

Certain ornamental seeds need a lot of sunshine and don’t grow too well in shaded areas. This often causes weed and moss outbreaks, causing moss and weeds to grow amongst the grass and leave looking far less attractive. Check out our moss killer reviews which cover the top products for sale.

If you want a nicer finish to the lawn but there are shaded and unshaded patches throughout the lawn, consider mixed seed products that combine finer and harder wearing seeds that can handle both.

Always check the growing instructions when buying to see what environment they grow best in. Most manufacturers state whether they are suitable for sunny or shaded lawns. 

FAQS

How long does grass seed take to grow?

It varies depending on things like seed type, soil condition, how often you water, and the season you sow the seeds. Grass seed germination can start as quickly as 5-10 days while some take up to a month to grow, so it will vary depending on many factors.

For example, fescue seeds for ornamental lawns often take longest to grow and require frequent watering, so if you forget to continually water them, they may take even longer to germinate. Sowing seeds during warmer seasons will encourage quicker growth too, with growth slowing in the winter months.

How long does it take to grow a lawn from seed UK?

Again, it depends on where you live and various other conditions. For instance, southern parts of the UK will generally have the fastest growing time for grass seeds, taking around 5-10 days to start germinating.

Those living further north may find it takes a couple of weeks to germinate, especially if planting during autumn or winter months. If planted during spring or summer and frequently watering the soil, germination can occur just as quickly at around 5-10 days, although most average growth time around the UK is 1-2 weeks.

Will grass seed grow if not covered?

Yes! You don’t need to cover grass seeds with any type of topsoil for the seeds to germinate. The process may take longer though, while it’s important to properly prepare the current soil so that the seeds germinate without any covering.

For instance, you should loosen and aerate the lawn soil to promote strong root growth. After this, rake through the soil to create grooves where you can toss the seeds into. Avoid placing seeds just on top of soil without any preparation, as they won’t germinate as quickly or effectively.

Can you use too much grass seed?

Yes, it is possible to plant too many seeds! Doing so means there is a lot competition for root space, leading to uneven root development where some go deeper than others, taking most of the nutrients and moisture in the soil, resulting in patchy growth.

Furthermore, the grass that does take root and grow won’t look great. The structure is less healthy and vibrant, with thin and wilted grass that cannot handle much wear and tear.

Can I plant grass seed in the winter?

Grass seeds can be planted in the winter, although the growing process will be different than those planting during other seasons. Planting in the winter is known as dormant seeding, where you place seeds that will remain inactive for a period but slowly begin to germinate as the weather improves. 

That said, the germination process is much more likely to fail if planted too close to the coldest parts of winter, with snow or frost likely to kill them before they can germinate. Those with milder winters may be fine, while those living in colder areas should plant in autumn to give them a chance to germinate and establish roots before winter.

Is it OK to mix different types of grass seed?

Yes, a lot bought from stores are in fact mixed seed varieties! This is because different seed types can serve different purposes once the grass grows, such as one being suitable for shaded areas while the other is suited for high traffic.