Sowing & Growing

Sow at a rate of 50g per m2 for new lawn

Sow at a rate of 35g per m2 for overseeding

Split each square metre’s worth of seed in half and scatter seed in one direction across a square and then spread the rest in the opposite direction.

After sowing, lightly rake over the area and water.

Seedlings are susceptible to drought, so keep them watered during dry spells. Test your soil regularly by pushing your fingers into it.

Carefully weed the area by hand, removing any weeds before they flower. As the grass continues to grow, it will stifle weed growth.

When the new lawn is 5cm (2in) high, cut with a rotary mower to 2.5cm (1in). Carefully rake up the clippings. Do this for the next four cuts.

Growing grass in shade is a unique challenge, its simply a fact of life that plants need sunlight to grow. But we can do our best to help our lawns thrive in adverse conditions:

• Aerate the soil in shady areas- this helps massively with drainage, both allowing new rainfall to reach into the soil, and also reducing the risk of disease by preventing the grass from staying too wet
• Mow little and often- cutting a lot off at one time shocks grass and reduces its chances of survival, especially in shade without the sun to replace the lost energy. Instead mow often, only removing about 20% of the length at a time.
• Scarify your lawn in spring- moss can take over in the dark, damp environment. By scarifying your lawn you stop the spread of moss. In the case of extreme moss buildup iron sulphate can help bring it under control.