Mr Fothergills High Quality Bulk Grass Seed Hardwearing 20KG bag Ref: LAWN01 Laying a new lawn Good preliminary work is the first prerequisite for a successful result. Rough planning and shaping of the foundation layer must be carried out well before the topsoil is laid. Where the soil is sandy or heavy clay a peat mould should be mixed into the top layer. The substances in the mould ensure that the soil retains moisture more easily. Sand also needs to be added to heavy clay soils. Feed the soil with whatever natural fertiliser you can acquire. Cattle manure should be applied at a rate of 1 m2 per 100 m2 of lawn. The fertiliser should be well mixed into the soil, for example, with a rotary cultivator. To increase the lime content of the soil by one pH unit, 25-30 kg garden lime or dolomite will need to be added to every 100 m2. Fertiliser and lime should be worked into the soil to a depth of at least 10-15 cm. The Best Time for Laying a Lawn The most favourable weather conditions for sowing are in early spring or Aug-Sep. The temperature should not fall below 10ºC. Sowing Rake over the surface and remove stones, weeds, roots, and other rubbish. The time has now come for you to give the surface the profile which you want the completed lawn to have. Roll the surface with a light roller. Sow twice in wind-free weather and work the seeds into the soil with a rake. Roll once more with a light roller. Keep moist As the grass seeds lie just inside the surface, this top layer needs to be kept constantly moist until the seeds have germinated and established themselves. Seeds which have begun to grow and are exposed to dryness will die. Price: £49.99