Patching up lawn -Turf or Seeds?

Alikay

We had an extension built 3 months ago and the builders made a bit of a mess of the lawn with the digger and plant equipment they had. Consequently we've got 3 large patches of totally bare soil (about 35 sq metres in total)
We were thinking of turfing, but its pretty pricey, so I wondered if anyone had seeded patches like this?

How long does it take to resemble anything like a lawn, and is it much harder to tend while its growing/settling in than new turf? What brand or type of seed should we use? Its a normal family garden but our kids are teenagers so don't play football etc on it anymore. It doesn't need to be a perfect lawn, just a normal green one for sitting out on etc.

Or is turf really the best move?

Thanks for any suggestions

olibearhorse

Well I'm all for the cheap option and when I redesigned my garden, I stole bits of turf from some areas and patched old beds up with it to change the layout - it worked really well!

If I were you I would attempt to reseed - it can be perfectly successful, we have done large areas in residential properties where I work. It needs to be cared for and mown once a proper surface has grown, watch out for animals though, probably best to cover it. I'm no expert but what have you got to lose? nothing but more grass!

Good luck!

icklegem

Im in the same situation have moved into a new house and the back garden is in a real state we have managed to get rid of the roots and ivy and bits of old carpet?! that were lurking about so we are now down to a blank canvas but with ruined grass with little money to renovate the garden i was also wondering the easiest way to make the garden to a standard where my little boy can go outside and play.

There must be some uni students studying landscaping who are looking for projects to work on but not sure how to find this out!!

Anyone got the number for Groundforce LOL:rotfl:

olibearhorse

Have you got any Agricultural Colleges near you? I used to go to one and they so all sorts of courses now including landscaping etc.. Definitely worth a try as they often have projects to do for coursework etc.

It's either that or a lot grass seed and topsoil! :rotfl:

Jayar

Was in Aldi today and I thought of you when I saw they have Lawn repair kits for £2.99. It's got the seed and I think fertiliser as well. Do you have one within shopping distance?

heatherw_01

turf gives and instant effect but usually is more costly than seeds