When is the best time to sow grass seed?

So, when is the best time to sow grass seed?

 As long as temperatures are consistently at 8-10°C and above day and night with no adverse weather conditions forecast for at least 2 weeks after the time you plan to sow, then work away! This means, you don’t have to be limited to sowing grass seed in spring/summer, autumn is a great time to do so too. 

Sowing seed in spring and summer

Being the most common and popular time to sow seed, spring and early summer bring favourable weather conditions, but it’s not all sunshine and roses…

Sowing in spring (March – May)

1. Expect more weed competition – weed growth takes off in springtime as this is their peak germination time, so you will need to stay on top of this!
2. Strong growth - your grass will have the whole of spring, summer and autumn to establish strong roots before the harsh winter
3. Enjoy your lush grass in summer – sowing in spring means when summer comes around, you can enjoy your new healthy, green grass

Sowing in summer (June - August)

1. High temperatures/drought risk – grass seed can burn or soil can dry out under hot temperatures
2. Frequent watering needed – ensure you are watering your seedlings daily, particularly in dry, warm conditions!
3. Less competition from moss – as moss prefers cooler, damper conditions, it won’t suffocate your seedlings out in summer

Sowing seed in autumn

In the autumn months of September - November, the UK still typically hits temperatures of 8-10 degrees and above, making autumn still a perfectly good time to sow seeds and there are quite a few benefits to doing so…

1. More rain, less watering - with rain more frequently forecast in autumn, you can sow your grass seed and then retire the garden hose/watering can

2. Fewer weeds to combat - weed growth naturally slows down in the milder months as the ideal conditions for them to thrive in the wind-down
3. No birdy business - there is a reduced risk of birds snacking on your newly sown seed due to migration and the availability of other food during winter

Now that you know when to sow, here’s how to do it:

Overseeding an existing lawn

• Choose the right kind of grass seed
• Remove any dead grass, weeds or moss by scarifying/raking the area
• Rake the area enough so that the soil is loose and the seedbed is level

• Allow the area to cultivate for 10-14 days; this will encourage any dormant weeds to appear on the surface, which can then be removed by hand

• Apply a Pre-Seed or a seasonal fertiliser at the recommended rate (check the individual product)
• Sow the seed at our recommended rate of 35g per m2 by using a seed spreader
• 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
• Lightly rake the area to cover the seed and water well

Sowing a new lawn

• Choose the right kind of grass seed
• 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
• 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, which can then be removed by hand
• Sow the seed at our recommended rate of 50g per m2 by using a seed spreader 
• 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

Sowing grass seed aftercare

• Protect the newly sown seed from birds and pests using some of our top tips here.
• Keep the seedlings watered during dry spells to keep them moist.