One last question! Previously when I needed to patch/repair the lawn I
bought seed from B&Q. For a larger areas is this the best option to go
for?

On Mon, 19 Jul 2004 21:11:47 +0000 (UTC), "PK"
wrote:



I sowed in april and had a fully useable lawn in 8 weeks

pk

I saw that with a client who was savvy on grass care, better than some
I turfed in the same area at the same time.
Rod

Weed my email address to reply.
http://website.lineone.net/~rodcraddock/index.html

On 20 Jul 2004 04:15:28 -0700, (Pile) wrote:

One last question! Previously when I needed to patch/repair the lawn I
bought seed from B&Q. For a larger areas is this the best option to go
for?

Research on the WWW, you'll probably find better deals than B&Q and a
wider choice. Don't buy too much 1.5 oz per sq yd (50g per sq metre)
is more than sufficient. 30g is fine if your sowing is accurate.
Don't be afraid of perennial ryegrass-in premium quality mixes they
use modern dwarf varieties which are excellent for general purpose
lawns - in fact for anything except the finest bowling greens etc.
Beware ryegrass in cheapo mixes- that might be agricultural stuff
better suited for sileage.
Treading with your weight on your heels is better than rolling. If
you get on with it straight away you might get time to hoe off a
couple of crops of annual weeds before sowing. Hoe when the weeds have
grown after the first firming, then rake again firm and rake. Hoe
again before firming and raking again. The more times you repeat this
the better your levels will be and the cleaner your new lawn. Do take
care that your finished level leaves the soil well proud of any paving
etc so you can mow over the edge. However well you do the firming it
will sink a little over time.
Rod

Weed my email address to reply.
http://website.lineone.net/~rodcraddock/index.html

Well, I have contacted the local Rolawn depot. Just the turf comes in
at at over the mind blowing £500 figure!
I know it would take longer to establish but what about rotovating and
then grading and seeding? Would this be the same in the long run cos I
bet it would be a hell of a lot cheaper.

On 19 Jul 2004 10:37:13 -0700, (Pile) wrote:

Well, I have contacted the local Rolawn depot. Just the turf comes in
at at over the mind blowing £500 figure!
I know it would take longer to establish but what about rotovating and
then grading and seeding? Would this be the same in the long run cos I
bet it would be a hell of a lot cheaper.

Given the choice I always go for seed. You get to choose your grasses,
it's cheaper and less work. Seedbed preparation is (should be anyway)
much the same for turf or seed, and lugging loads of turf around is
hard work. If *sufficient* water is given when needed seed will
germinate in 10 days or less and establishment is quick. We are now
approaching one of the 2 best times for sowing a new lawn. Get it
prepared in the next month or so and sow your seeds just before the
heavens open in mid/late August ;~)
Rod

Weed my email address to reply.
http://website.lineone.net/~rodcraddock/index.html

"Pile" wrote in message
om...
Well, I have contacted the local Rolawn depot. Just the turf comes
in
at at over the mind blowing £500 figure!
I know it would take longer to establish but what about rotovating
and
then grading and seeding? Would this be the same in the long run cos
I
bet it would be a hell of a lot cheaper.

That makes at least as good a lawn as laying turf. It does not take
all that long for a sown lawn to be attractive and usable.

Franz

Franz Heymann wrote:
"Pile" wrote in message
om...
Well, I have contacted the local Rolawn depot. Just the turf
comes in at at over the mind blowing £500 figure!
I know it would take longer to establish but what about
rotovating and then grading and seeding? Would this be the
same in the long run cos I bet it would be a hell of a lot
cheaper.

That makes at least as good a lawn as laying turf. It does not
take all that long for a sown lawn to be attractive and usable.



I sowed in april and had a fully useable lawn in 8 weeks

pk

Thanks for the advice all! Seed it is then. Are there any tips a real
novice could use to make this any easier?

I think I need to rotovate, then rake level and maybe lightly roll?
Probably use stakes with string for the level. Any extra tips most
welcome.

Thanks again for your useful ideas.

One last question! Previously when I needed to patch/repair the lawn I
bought seed from B&Q. For a larger areas is this the best option to go
for?

Well, I have contacted the local Rolawn depot. Just the turf comes in
at at over the mind blowing £500 figure!
I know it would take longer to establish but what about rotovating and
then grading and seeding? Would this be the same in the long run cos I
bet it would be a hell of a lot cheaper.

PK muttered:

Magwitch wrote:
Pile muttered:

Well, I have contacted the local Rolawn depot. Just the turf
comes in at at over the mind blowing £500 figure!
I know it would take longer to establish but what about
rotovating and then grading and seeding? Would this be the
same in the long run cos I bet it would be a hell of a lot
cheaper.

Please go for seed. We've got 2 new lawns which look lovely and
they're only 18 months old, they looked 'green' after 4 weeks.
Get some friends round to tread the ground firm,

The "Geoff Hamilton tread" !!

pk


....like a Red Indian war dance 'cept there's no fire, however, there can be
fire water...

"Pile" wrote in message
om...
Well, I have contacted the local Rolawn depot. Just the turf comes
in
at at over the mind blowing £500 figure!
I know it would take longer to establish but what about rotovating
and
then grading and seeding? Would this be the same in the long run cos
I
bet it would be a hell of a lot cheaper.

That makes at least as good a lawn as laying turf. It does not take
all that long for a sown lawn to be attractive and usable.

Franz

Franz Heymann wrote:
"Pile" wrote in message
om...
Well, I have contacted the local Rolawn depot. Just the turf
comes in at at over the mind blowing £500 figure!
I know it would take longer to establish but what about
rotovating and then grading and seeding? Would this be the
same in the long run cos I bet it would be a hell of a lot
cheaper.

That makes at least as good a lawn as laying turf. It does not
take all that long for a sown lawn to be attractive and usable.



I sowed in april and had a fully useable lawn in 8 weeks

pk

I lied. One last question then I'll go prepare the ground!
A mate has said that I should rotovate - another friend siad he had
been told to hire something like a rotovator but it goes deeper? Is
this necessary? Shoudl I also hire a roller for when it is rotovated
and should I use a special rake to level the ground? The one I have is
a bit old & scabby.

"Pile" wrote in message
om...
I lied. One last question then I'll go prepare the ground!
A mate has said that I should rotovate

If you rotovate keep it shallow or the chances are that the soil will
redistribute itself so that you end up with an uneven lawn.
Then carefully walk back and forth to make sure it is evenly compacted.

- another friend siad he had
been told to hire something like a rotovator but it goes deeper? Is
this necessary?

If you just till the surface this will help the turf get established.
If you go deep you will struggle to level the ground - and it will probably
subside after a good heavy bout of rain.

Shoudl I also hire a roller for when it is rotovated

If you have a heavy roller and a cart-horse to pull it then it might be
worthwhile.
An ordinary concrete or water-filled roller will convince you that it is
nice and flat ...until it rains.

and should I use a special rake to level the ground? The one I have is
a bit old & scabby.