Good soil preparation is the key to a fast-establishing lawn. Giving your lawn the best possible start will prepare it to handle wear and cope with whatever Mother Nature throws at it.
Spring and autumn are the best times for sowing a new lawn or renovating an existing lawn after summer or winter. Soil temperatures should be above 10°C for reliable seed germination, and in spring and autumn there is usually higher soil moisture levels.
preparing the lawn for sowing
- For best results, remove any existing grass and weeds.
- Spray the area with a non-selective systemic herbicide that controls weeds and grasses down to the roots.
- After 7 days, the weeds and grasses will begin to yellow and turn brown. Ideally, leave the area as long as possible until it has completely browned off.
- Rake out the dead plant material and lightly break up the soil surface (crust) to improve water penetration.
- Clear and level the area, removing any stones, large clumps or sticks.
- For best results, apply Tui LawnForce® Lawn Preparation Mix evenly over the area to a depth of 25–30mm. Tui Lawn Preparation Mix is 100% weed-free, boosted with phosphorus for fast root development, and contains a wetting agent to help maintain even soil moisture for germinating seed. Topsoil is an option for sowing lawns, but it may contain dormant weed seeds.
- Level the area by removing any humps and hollows. Lightly compact the soil using the back of a rake, a lawn roller or by gently firming it with your feet.
- Lightly water by hand or use a sprinkler to settle and level the soil before sowing seed.
NOTES FOR DIFFERENT SOIL TYPES
- Free-draining soil is best for establishing a healthy lawn.
- Light sandy soils are free-draining but often lack moisture-retentive organic matter. To improve sandy soil, once weeds and grasses have been removed, dig in a layer of compost, then apply a 25–30mm layer of Tui Lawn Preparation Mix.
- Clay soils are typically rich in organic matter and retain moisture but may not drain well. Heavy clay soils can be improved by applying gypsum and aerating with a garden fork or lawn aerator spikes. Apply a 25–30mm layer of Tui Lawn Preparation Mix before levelling and sowing lawn seed.