Laying a New Lawn: Turf vs Seed

Whether you’re starting from bare earth after a build, or replacing a tired, mossy lawn, the two routes are turf or seed. Turf gives you an instant, usable surface within a few weeks; seed is cheaper and offers a wider choice of grass mixes, but a seeded lawn should be used as little as possible for about eight months and needs protecting from birds.¹

The preparation work is identical for both, and it is by far the most important part of either approach.

Turf vs Seed: Quick Comparison

Turf is priced by the roll, and the price per roll falls as the order grows. Rolawn, which grows turf, sells its Medallion turf direct at £12.65 a square metre on an order of 10 to 19 rolls, including VAT.²

On an order of 100 rolls or more the price falls to £6.25 a square metre.²

Seed costs pence by comparison: Wickes sells a 1kg box of Miracle-Gro multi-purpose grass seed, enough for 33m², at £11, about 33p a square metre.³

The RHS advises against laying turf from mid-spring to early autumn, as it would struggle to establish during hot weather and need repeated watering.⁴ Lawn seed germinates best in early autumn and mid-spring, when the soil is warm and moist.¹

Preparation: The Same for Both

No amount of quality turf or expensive seed compensates for poor ground preparation. Both routes need the same foundation.

Step 1: Clear the Ground

Remove all existing vegetation and perennial weeds, either by lifting the old turf and forking out the roots or with a glyphosate-based weedkiller used as its label directs. Then dig or rotovate the soil to a depth of 200–250 mm so there is no compaction.⁴ For an area under 20 m² a fork and spade are adequate; above 50 m² hiring a rotovator saves time.

Step 2: Improve the Soil

• On heavy clay soil: incorporate sharp horticultural sand (25 mm depth) and/or a soil improver to improve drainage.
• On sandy, free-draining soil: work in organic matter (well-rotted compost or topsoil) to improve water retention.
• Aim for a loamy, friable texture to at least 150 mm depth.

Step 3: Level and Firm

Rake to a level, fine tilth. Remove stones over 25 mm. Firm the ground by systematically shuffling across it heel-to-toe, do not use a heavy roller on clay as it compacts. Rake again to a fine finish. The surface should be approximately 25 mm below the surrounding path or edging to allow the turf or established lawn to sit flush.

Step 4: Pre-Seed or Pre-Turf Fertiliser

Rake in a pre-seed/pre-turf or general-purpose fertiliser at the manufacturer’s rate. Before turfing on light, poor soil, the RHS suggests about 35 g/m² of general-purpose fertiliser.⁴ Before seeding, it suggests about 70 g/m².¹

How to Lay Turf

1. Order turf to arrive when you are ready to lay it: lay it within 24 hours of delivery if possible, and if laying is delayed for more than a few days, unroll the turves and lay them out flat so the grass gets light.⁴
2. Start from a straight edge (a path, wall, or a string line) and work backwards so you are not standing on laid turf.
3. Lay in a brick-bond pattern (stagger the joints row by row) with rolls butted tightly together, do not overlap or leave gaps.
4. Cut to fit at edges and curves using an edging iron or sharp spade. A bread knife works well for intricate cuts around curved beds.
5. Lute or firm each row by laying a plank over it and pressing down lightly, then butt the next roll against it.
6. Water immediately and thoroughly if no rain is forecast, then keep the turf moist until it roots, soaking right through the turf rather than just wetting the surface.⁴
7. First mow: once the turf has rooted, usually about three weeks after laying, mow with the blades set high.⁴ Check that turf has rooted by gently tugging a corner: if it resists, it has rooted and you can begin reducing watering frequency.

Turf grades: most domestic turves are a rye grass/fescue blend. Luxury or ornamental turf (fine fescue dominant) costs more than standard turf and requires more maintenance.

How to Sow Lawn Seed

Choosing a Seed Mix

Shade mixes are for light to medium shade, and most contain hard fescue, creeping red fescue and browntop, which are fine-leaved and usually not very hard-wearing.¹

Sowing

1. Sow in calm conditions to avoid drift. Split the seed in half and sow in two directions (east–west, then north–south) for even coverage.
2. Weigh out the seed at the rate given on the packet, which varies with the mix.¹
3. Lightly rake seed in (5–10 mm depth), do not bury too deep.
4. Water gently using a rose attachment. Seeds need consistent moisture for 2–4 weeks during germination.
5. Bird protection: stretch garden fleece over the area or use proprietary bird scarer.

Aftercare

• Seedlings usually appear a week to ten days after sowing in good conditions.¹
• When the seedlings are 50–75 mm tall, lightly firm the soil, then two or three days later make the first cut, removing only about one-third of the height.¹
• Use the new lawn as little as possible for about eight months.¹

Costs: Materials, Hire and a Landscaper

Wickes sells a 500-litre bulk bag of Hallstone blended loam topsoil at £109, including VAT.⁵

Speedy hires a 73kg petrol rotavator at £103.46 for the first day, before VAT.⁶

Labour is the part no merchant lists. Landscapers price a lawn per job after seeing the ground, so ask for preparation, topsoil, turf or seed and laying as separate lines on the quote, and check whether removing the old turf and the spoil is included. For a straightforward 50 m² lawn replacement, expect 1–2 days of labour plus materials.

Watering Advice

Letting the soil dry out before the turf has rooted is the usual reason new turf fails. During dry periods in mid- to late summer, the RHS advises watering new turf every five to ten days, and every fortnight in dry spells at other times, always soaking right through the turf.⁴ A sprinkler on a timer reduces the burden considerably.

Water companies can impose a temporary use ban that stops you watering a garden using a hosepipe during a serious shortage, so check your supplier’s current restrictions before relying on a sprinkler system.⁷