Is it a good idea to sow grass seed in Autumn?

As we roll into mid-autumn and begin to feel a crisp chill in the air and see the darker evenings starting to creep in, we know that the prime time for being out in the garden is coming to an end. However, did you know that autumn grass sowing is still viable this time of year?

If the temperatures are right and you follow our sowing guide, then September and October can actually be a great time of the year for sowing grass seed.

Is it warm enough in Autumn to sow grass seed?

Many people assume that it’s too cold this time of year, but in the UK, that is not true. The recommended soil temperature for successful growth at any time of the year is 8-10 degrees (and above), which is just as crucial for autumn grass sowing. For context, most of the UK will experience these temperatures around this time of year. Parts of South England will even experience these temperatures in November.

Keep reading for autumn sowing tips that will give your lawn a head start next year.

Regardless of whether you’re sowing a fresh, new lawn from scratch or overseeding an existing lawn that has succumbed to the summer’s wear and tear, the following bullet points are worth considering.

If you are sowing a new lawn from scratch, you should carry out the following:

• Dig the soil over to a depth of 20-25cm
• Remove weeds by hand or use a weed killer
• Add topsoil if you believe the soil to be poor quality
• Consider applying a QUICK RELEASE: Pre-Seed fertiliser to get nutrients into the soil
• Rake the area to get a level seedbed
• Allow the area to cultivate for 10-14 days; this will encourage any dormant weeds to appear on the surface
• Sow the seed at our recommended rate of 50g per m2, by using a seed spreader or your hand
• Rake the seed in after sowing so that the seed is in amongst the soil
• Firm down by foot or by using a roller to improve seed-to-soil contact
• Water your lawn well, but be careful not to over-water it

If you are overseeding your established lawn, then the following is ideal:

• Remove any dead grass, weeds, or moss by scarifying/raking the area.
• If the weeds and moss are present throughout the lawn, you may wish to consider a Feed, Weed and Moss Killer product
• Rake the area enough so that the soil is loose
• Allow the area to cultivate for 10-14 days; this will encourage any dormant weeds to appear on the surface
• Sow the seed at our recommended rate of 35g per m2, by using a seed spreader or your hand
• Rake the seed in after sowing so that the seed is in amongst the soil
• Firm down by foot or by using a roller to improve seed-to-soil contact
• Water your lawn well but be careful not to over-water it

To summarise, you will need to be aware of the temperatures in your area before planning to sow grass seed this time of year. With this in mind, if the temperatures are forecast to be consistently between 8-10 °C and above for the following fortnight, you can begin sowing.

Preparation is key when sowing seed

This process involves digging the soil, removing weeds, loosening the soil by rake to ensure a level seedbed, then sowing the seed at an even rate, raking it in, firming it down by foot or by using a roller and watering it well.

Additional tips to help your garden in the colder months

Other guides that you may find useful if you are carrying out garden lawn work at this time of year: 7 quick tips for better autumn / winter lawn care that go into detail on how to keep your lawn flourishing this time of year and be ready for winter.

We also have a blog post that details why it is a good idea to fertilise your lawn at this time of year. And if heavy footfall or your pets are causing havoc on your beautiful garden lawn, we have a top tips post for maintaining a lawn with pets.