Step by Step Guide to Sowing Lawn Seed

We all love having a lush, green lawn but not many of us know what steps to follow in the process plus how to care for the result. 

Sowing lawn seed is simple but it does take some planning, care and attention to detail. By following our step by step guide you can achieve the lush, green lawn that will make your neighbours jealous!

STEP 1 - Choosing your seed 

Find out what is the best grass type in your location for the season. Our State by State Lawn Seed Guide will help!

Remember: Varieties are divided into two groups: Cool and Warm Season grasses. Cool season grasses grow best in 15 and 25 degrees celsius. Cool season grasses include Ryegrass, Fine Fescue, Tall Fescue, Kentucky Bluegrass and Bentgrass. They are well suited in Tasmania, South Australia, Victoria, ACT and some ares in New South Wales. Warm season grass grow best in temperatures between 25 and 32 degrees celsisus. They include Couch grass, Kikuyu, and Buffalo grass. They are well suited in New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia.  

STEP 2 - Preparing the ground 

After removing debris in the area, ensure good drainage. For lawns with heavy soil add more sand so drainage is improved. If the soil is light or sandy, you can work in a good amount of peat to give body to the soil, prevent drying out and loss of nutrients. Level uneven sections by raking over the area.  If you need to add to your soil google your local soil provider and ask them for a good lawn soil mix.

STEP 3 - Fertilising before sowing 

Give your new lawn the best start as possible by apply a pre-seeding Starter Fertiliser to the seedbed a few days prior to sowing the seed. Water it in well.  If you run short of time you can do this at the same time as you spread your seed.  A good Starter Fertiliser will stimulate root growth and provide the essential early nutrients to get the lawn off to a good start. Depending on the size of your area you can make the job easier by using our Earthway range of Fertiliser Spreaders. 

STEP 4 - Sowing lawn seed 

For a good establishment always follow the suggested sowing rate recommended on the product. An easy way of sowing the seed is to divide the area into easily manageable sections and then divide the seed into as many lots as there are sections. Then sow half of the seed for one section from left to right of the section and then from the other half across the first sowing going from front to the back of the section. This will help ensure an even spread of seed over the area. 

STEP 5 - Feeding your lawn 

Once the lawn is grown it will need regular feeding to ensure good establishment. Switch to a Maintenance Fertiiser when regular mowing has commenced.

STEP 6 - Lawn aftercare 

Watering: When you've sown your seed you then need to be careful to always water with a fine spray. Anything stronger will move the seeds around.

Mowing: Don't mow too soon!  Wait for good establishment.  Cut the grass when it’s around 4-5 cm high. Trim lightly and gradually lower the blades to an ideal cutting height of 25 - 30mm. Mow regularly, trying not to remove more than a third of growth at any time. 

For a printable version of these steps click here.