Preparing a new spring lawn

Planning to lay a new spring lawn? The key to a healthy green lawn is to prepare the site properly before you sow.

Is your lawn looking dry and patchy from winter neglect? Is there more bare earth than grass? With the warmer weather just around the corner, now is the perfect time to get a new lawn in shape. It's easy with our top five tips:

1. Plan for your lawn

When planning a new lawn (or re-establishing a struggling one), the most important thing is to prepare the site to give the grass the best chance of growing healthily and evenly. If you have the luxury of choosing where to place your new lawn, try to avoid somewhere that is overly shady, as most grasses need plenty of sunlight to thrive.

2. Prepare the soil

Prepare the soil by digging into it and turning it over to a depth of around 15 centimetres, removing large rocks or lumps of clay in the process. This should destroy most of the weeds in the soil, but you can also use non-residual herbicides or get down on your hands and knees to pull out the tougher, more persistent weeds.

Most grasses prefer well-drained soils, and there are a number of ways to ensure that water is not building up. Before planting your spring lawn, check whether your soil is full of clay - if so, you'll need to add some gypsum to help break it down. If the soil is too sandy, then dig through plenty of organic matter to add some nutrients.

3. Water your new lawn

Water your newly dug soil well and, if possible, leave it in a 'fallow' or loose condition for a few weeks before sowing your seeds or laying your turf. This will give the soil a chance to even out in readiness for spring lawn growth.

4. Choose lawn seeds well

When selecting lawn seed, keep in mind that there are numerous varieties available. Certain grasses (such as Sir Walter buffalo) are drought tolerant, while others are shade resistant. Some prefer cool conditions and some don't like frosts. The safest bet is to consult a turf or lawn specialist and find out which type of lawn will suit your conditions best, and to work out whether to use lawn seed or instant turf.

5. Be careful with your baby lawn

While a new lawn is growing in or becoming established, try not to stand on it, and keep your pets off it as much as you can. Running a line of string around the border of the lawn is a handy way of making sure people don't inadvertently crush your fledgling blades.

To ensure that your new lawn is looking its best in time for spring, head down to your local nursery today, and get planting: