It's the heart of many gardens: the lawn. Learn how to prepare the soil and what options there are for creating your own lawn.
But when and how do you properly lay a lawn?
The best time to plant a lawn is in spring (April to June) or fall (September to October). During these periods, temperatures are mild and consistently above 10 degrees Celsius, creating ideal conditions for lawn growth. Neither extreme heat nor cold disrupts the young lawn's development.
There are several methods for re-establishing a lawn, and here are the three most popular:
- Grass seed: Sowing grass seed is the traditional and often most cost-effective method. It allows you to customize your lawn and mix different grass varieties to achieve the desired characteristics.
- Roll-out turf: This method offers the advantage of an immediate green area. Roll-out turf is delivered in ready-made rolls that are simply laid out. The grass has already grown and only needs to take root, making it quickly usable.
- Grass mat: A grass mat is an innovative solution that encapsulates grass seeds in a biodegradable mat. This mat is rolled out onto the prepared area and ensures even distribution of the seeds, promoting consistent growth.
Using these methods, every hobby gardener can create the perfect lawn for their garden, regardless of whether they choose the classic sowing method, the quick turf roll or the practical lawn mat.
Preparation is the basis for a beautiful lawn
First, the soil is loosened, as lawns need loose, permeable soil. Various rakes, garden claws, hand harrows, and even electric rakes are available for this purpose. These can be rented from hardware stores, for example, to work large areas. Next, weeds, organic debris, and stones are removed from the soil to allow the grass to grow unhindered. The final preparation step involves leveling any unevenness and rolling the soil.
Does the old lawn need to be removed first?
It's not always necessary to remove the old turf. If the soil isn't too compacted and provides sufficient nutrients for the lawn, the new lawn can be laid directly over the old one. To do this, the lawn is mowed short and then scarified. Now you can sow the grass seeds or lay the turf. Roll-turf may not establish properly with this method, so removing the turf is recommended.
Think about mole protection now
Before laying the new lawn, it's advisable to consider mole protection. Mole mesh and nets can now be laid horizontally on the prepared area and secured with ground anchors. This will prevent moles from burrowing to the surface.
Do you want to protect your lawn from molehills? Then read our blog article Effective and animal-friendly mole protection
Sow new grass
Once the preparations are complete, the grass seeds can be evenly distributed over the area. A spreader is ideal for this. Once the seeds have been spread, the area is raked to allow the seeds to germinate and grow properly, and then rolled. To ensure good growth, the soil should be well watered and kept moist. After two weeks, the first blades of grass will appear, and after another two to three weeks, a blanket layer of grass will be visible. When the grass is about 10 cm high, it can be mown for the first time, to a maximum of 5 cm.
Fast green with turf
The most expensive option is to roll out the turf. Roll-out turf gives you immediate, impressive results. However, there are a few things to consider when laying it. In high temperatures, you need to act quickly, and the turf should be laid the same day it is delivered. Otherwise, the turf should only be stored rolled up for a maximum of two days. Before laying the strips, the area should be fertilized to encourage better grass growth. Then you can start rolling out the turf. It's best to start at one edge and work your way to the other. The strips should be joined seamlessly, with no overlaps or gaps. Once the area is completely laid, rolling it ensures that the turf adheres better to the ground, allowing the roots to grow more easily.
Lawn mats with incorporated seeds and starter fertilizer
Lawn mats are still somewhat less well-known than grass seed and turf, but they are becoming increasingly popular thanks to their ease of use and the great results they produce. The cotton mat contains incorporated grass seeds and a starter fertilizer that contains targeted nutrients for good growth. Unlike sowing, with the mat there is no risk of the seeds being washed away by rain or eaten by birds. Once the area is prepared, the lawn fleece can be loosely rolled out and watered. After that, it is recommended to cover the mat with about 1 to 2 cm of soil, but this is not necessary. It is important that the lawn mat is always well watered and kept moist. After 4-6 weeks, a beautiful lawn will have grown. In addition, the mat offers protection against weeds and moles for the first few years before it gradually decomposes biologically.
Good luck with your gardening!
In the following video you will find clear instructions for laying lawn and flower meadow mats
