Garden returf or grass seed

[dandelionsticks]

Hi there, our garden was returfed at significant cost less than three years ago. Unfortunately, we've neglected the gardening so bushes and hedges have eaten into it (bushes have got bigger, grass underneath has died) and we bought a trampoline in lockdown 1 and the entire area under it has now died. We've now moved the trampoline off the grass. Garden looks so sad and ugly. The main damage is to an area where the trampoline was which is around 4x4 metres. We also plan to remove some of the bushes and turf this instead.

Do you think it's better to sow grass seeds over the damaged area or returf this? We thought returf as we need to do that for the area where the bushes are being pulled up. Now wondering if we do a bit of both?

First timers here. Would get gardeners in but the few we contacted aren't interested as the job is too small. In any case, we are on a budget so hoping to be able save money and do it ourselves.

Would appreciate any advice from the more knowledgeable out there. Thank you!

If it was turfed previously, I would assume it is reasonably flat so I would rake in some grass seed first and see how you get on. It might take a few tries, you will lose some to birds etc.
To re-turf, you would have to dig out the old turf or it will be proud, this will be more time consuming and costly.

Agree with@AndIquote . If you buy some fine top dressing from the garden centre, rake the existing bare patch, spread in the rope dressing and see it. Ideally place a net over it and you will be amazed at how it recovers

Seed every time. Although turf is quicker, I find a sown lawn quickly over-takes it and settles down to give a better lawn within a year.

Agree with PPs, rake it over add a top dressing, then walk up and down on it to level, then sow seeds. Lay some netting down to deter birds, and more importantly cats who seem desperate to turn newly seeded ground into a toilet.

Thanks all. Any experience on how long it will take from grass sown seeds to have a decent looking lawn?

6 months, if the weather is ok.

Thanks Ifailed

Hi there,

Sorry to drag up an old post but my husband and I were in the same situation this summer. Our front lawn was a mess and the kids were trashing the back lawn too. We bought turf from BNQ and lawn seed from www.shepherdseeds.co.uk . The lawn seed has done so much better than the turf? My husband thinks we over watered the turf but I'm not sure? Is it possible to over water turf?