new garden - want to use grass seed - any tips please?

[chocolateshoes]

We recently moved house and havce a brand new garden. Apart from one section for veggies we want to lawn the rest and have some low fruiyt trees. I guess grass seed is cheaper but I'm worried it could take ages to grow and might look awful. I don't know where to start as only ever had tubs & a patio before! Is there a partic fast growing grass seed? One that produces beautifu;l luxiourious grass? How should I prep the ground 1st? How long will it take to be able to walk on? All advice welcome!

This gives good info
Opt for a utility lawn mix (one which contains rye grass) and mix it with some Canada Green which is pretty good imo.
Good preparation takes a fair bit of doing but will make for a good lawn.
Feed, weed and water once the weather gets warmer.

Thanks for that - really helpful. I suppose I can buy boxes of the tow types of grass seed in a good garden centre?

B&Q have various seed mixtures and they have been quite good. I sent away for the Canada Green a few years ago but my lawn really does stay green over winter so I would recommend it.
Canada Green and other mixtures

Thanks! have ordered some Canada Green online & will go to B&Q tomorrow. Am keen to get going on this lawn! You've a real help GO!

Its a perfect time of year to lay a lawn with seed. Go for it. Remember you will need some tools as well while you are at B&Q if you have never had a lawn.

beta dad - what tools should I get - have a hoe, rake, fork & spade. Do I need anything else? Should I get something to spread nthe seeds?

You can broadcast the grass seed by putting your grass seed in a bucket, grab a handful then scatter it in a wide fan motion from waist height.
Walk backwards as you do this. When you have done the entire lawn this way, do the same the breadth of the lawn. Then do the 'gardener's shuffle' over the lot. (putting your feet at ten to two, shuffling gently forward and pressing the seed in to the ground)

Water well and tie some old cds with string to bamboo poles that will scare the birds away.

In this fine weather the seed will soon germinate.
Look out for weeds and pounce on them.
When the new grass gets about 8 inches high, do your first cut with hand held hedge cutters.
Feed it after you do the first cut.
Good luck !

chocolateshoes - I agree with GentleOtter on technique and you sound like you have the tools you need.

Just need to make sure you have a nice fine tilth before sowing and leveled with lawn rake and any big stones picked up otherwise they end up in the mower.

I would sow by hand myself straight from the bag or bucket as GentleOtter suggests but grass seed is quite fine and some people dilute it 1:1 with fine untreated sawdust, dry sand, or bran so that they do not have to worry quite so much about getting the right amount on each square metre. It is easy to put far too much on the first bit of lawn and then sort of run out half way through.

Do measure the area of the lawn before you go to buy the seed and then I suggest you buy 10 - 25% more than the recommended amount of seed (read the bag to see what they recommend) and put plenty on. It does not harm. Also buying lawn seed with seaweed on it helps for a faster germination.

Scatter with confidence on a calm (not windy) day and good luck!

thanks you two! You have been so helpful. Have just got to finish getting out the last patch of stones and then I can get started. Am aiming for this weekend if the fine weather continues. Am v excited!