Turfing / seeding a lawn - WWYD?

[Bubbinsmakesthree]

Our garden has been utterly trashed following a building project and we have nothing but bare soil and weeds remaining on our lawn.

With two young DC the prospect of not having a garden fit to play in all summer fills me with dread but I don’t want to invest a lot of time and money if a lawn won’t establish well at the his time of year.

I am wondering whether we can do a half-hearted job of throwing some lawn seed at it and hoping for a bit of coverage over summer then doing it properly over the winter? Or is turfing a lawn in May/June time OK?

No advice but in the same situation, we currently have a building site I’m not a gardener and have zero clue what the best approach is

I chucked seed at mine two weeks ago and next doors wood pigeons ate most of it. We have a few blades of grass and that's it.

My extensive research on lawn growing tells me you can lay turf or plant seed anytime of the year if the ground is not frozen but seed will do better at the end of aug/start of sept when it is wetter and the ground is warmer and should be covered to ward off the pigeons. Turf can be planted anytime the ground is not frozen but is easier to establish in the wetter months, like seed. If it doesn't rain, you need water the seed or turf daily.

Ive reseeded a few times. It's pretty easy and much cheaper. You need to make sure lawn is levelled and just check seed all over. If you are worried about cats or birds stake out some netting. Keep it wet. Takes about two weeks to start growing. You shouldn't walk in it for a few weeks.

We just turfed some of our garden just over a week ago. It's doing fine so far. Will be a lot easier than waiting for seeds to grow.

I’d turf every time, but more costly initially but at least you know you will get a good covering by summer. Lots of watering until established (we’re bound to have loads more rain at some point too) you can also ask the turf supplier for a slightly tougher strain of grass to withstand kids wear & tear !

If you want it for this summer, turf it now, make sure it doesn't dry out and I am sure it will be fine in a few months time. Certainly quicker than seeding it. Don't turf it in a heatwave/drought. Best to do it just before a wet spell.

how about artificial grass?

Definitely turf. Have done both over recent years and seed was not at all worth it.

Thanks all for the advice! Sounds like turf is still an option if we get our act together!

We have turf being laid next week. I can do you a before an after photo if you can wait?

To lay turf you'll need to rotavate, level and consolidate. Turf will not establish well over hard soil or old grass. If you choose seed- by far the cheaper option- you won't need to rotavate etc. If you have a means of loosening the top 10-15mm with a metal rake or similar you can then spread the seed evenly across the area. To overseed existing grass, use 20g/m2. If seeding bare soil, use 40 g/m2. Wilkinson sell a mix suitable for the job at a reasonable price. If you want to spend a little more, use their dwarf perennial ryegrass mix. This will establish quickly and wear well.