Lawns left patchy and tired after a hot, dry summer can be repaired this September, with early autumn offering one of the best windows to sow grass seed. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) notes that the soil is still warm and there is usually enough moisture for germination at this time of year.
The £1 coin trick for sowing grass seed
A trick shared by lawn expert Chris McIlroy of The Grass People involves something most people already have in their purse or wallet, though gardeners will need more than just one. He explained that grass seed should be sown at roughly the depth of three stacked £1 coins.
“Timing is everything when it comes to sowing grass seed and right now we’re in a perfect window,” McIlroy said. “What we’re looking for is consistent temperatures above 8-10 degrees so the soil is still warm. We also want a decent amount of sunlight and some moisture, with zero chances of frost or snow for at least two weeks after sowing. This makes September an ideal time.”
Preparing the ground before seeding
The RHS also recommends sowing new lawns in autumn, noting that grass seed germinates best in early autumn, with germination generally taking around seven to 10 days. It advises sowing onto prepared ground when the soil is damp after rain, giving the grass time to establish before colder weather arrives.
Simply scattering seed over a bare patch is unlikely to give the best result, as the ground needs preparing first. McIlroy said: “Preparing your grass is the hardest part. Scarify or rake the area you are looking to seed to remove any dead grass, moss or weeds that have appeared. Ensure the soil is loose and that the bed is level. Once this is done, a pre-seed or fertiliser can help. You will then need to sow the seed evenly, either with a spreader or by hand. Rake the seed in after sowing so that it is amongst the soil, and firm it down either with your foot or a roller. Seeds should be roughly the depth of three £1 coins. Then water the area well.”
Aftercare for new grass
Gardeners should keep the newly seeded area moist during dry spells and avoid heavy foot traffic while the young grass becomes established. McIlroy said: “If you can ensure your seed remains moist during dry spells and isn’t disturbed by birds, then grass seedlings should start to appear in seven to 10 days. Try to keep footfall to a minimum while the seedlings are becoming established.”
The RHS similarly advises keeping newly sown areas as undisturbed as possible while the grass establishes, and its September guidance specifically recommends repairing damaged or bare areas with seed or turf.
