Establishing Grass Seed
a patchy sward, whilst too high a rate increases the possibility of disease. The surface should again be rolled or firmed. It is then important to prevent drying out and bird damage if possible. Management Seedlings appear 7 - 21 days later, but do not cut until shoots are 40 - 50 mm (1.5 - 2 inches) long. At this stage it should be rolled lightly, left to recover for 1 - 3 days then cut to remove the top 10 - 20 mm (0.5 - 0.75 inches) only, with a sharp-bladed mower. Time To Sow Mid August - Mid September Ideal as competition from annual weeds and susceptibility to drought is minimised. Seedlings should emerge in 1 - 2 weeks. April - June Ground is cooler and weed contamination greater. Seedlings should emerge in 2 - 3 weeks. There is a greater risk of the soil drying out.
Sowing seed is the least expensive method of establishing an area of grass and has the added advantage of allowing the exact composition of the turf to be determined for any given situation. Correct preparation of the seed bed is very important and care taken at this stage will pay dividends. application of a total herbicide e.g. Roundup. The site should then be landscaped as required and all clods, rubble and rubbish removed. The soil should be reduced to a fine tilth (ideally no particle should be larger than a grain of wheat) and a pre-seeding fertiliser (1 nitrogen : 1 phosphate : 1 potash) at 1oz/sq. yd. (35g/m2) applied if necessary. The surface can then be firmed before sowing. Sowing Broadcast the seed as evenly as possible or drill at the rate indicated. A lower rate will result in slow establishment and Site Preparation If the site is weed covered, clear by cultivation or by
12 Amenity Grass Seed Mixtures 2017
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