If you missed out on sowing a lawn in the Autumn, now is a good time, but only if you can give the new grass plenty of water.

We don’t recommend you do it in Summer. It will be too dry and your new grass will simply shrivel up and die. Spring is a good time as the soil is warming up and the ground will still be quite damp from the rain.

There are many types of seed mixtures so it’s important you choose the right one. Most family gardens require a lawn mixture containing rye grass.

Soil preparation:

• Prepare the soil by skimming off any old grass, removing large stones and weeds, and then roughly levelling.
• Fork over the site and rake level to leave a fine finish.
• Firm the soil by walking over, placing weight on your heels and rake again.
• Two or three days before the seed is to be sown, lightly rake in a granular fertiliser.

How to sow the seeds:

• Use canes to mark out the area to be sown into square metres.
• Shake the box to mix up seeds.
• A good rule of thumb is to spread seed at 50g per square metre (or at the rate it says on the packet). Weigh out the seed to cover each square metre into a container and mark the level on the outside to act as a guide.
• Split each 50g in half and scatter seed in one direction across a square and then spread the rest in the opposite direction.
• After sowing, lightly rake over the area and water

Aftercare:

• Protect the newly sown seed from birds by stretching fruit netting over the top.
• It is also worth cordoning off the area with string and canes to prevent people from walking across the soil.
• Seedlings are susceptible to drought, so keep them watered during dry spells. Test your soil regularly by pushing your fingers into it.
• Carefully weed the area by hand, removing any weeds before they flower. As the grass continues to grow, it will stifle weed growth.
• When the new lawn is 5cm (2in) high, cut with a rotary mower to 2.5cm (1in). Carefully rake up the clippings. Do this for the next four cuts.