Can you lay grass seeds over concrete?

Sabrina237

We've rented our home for about 2 years now and it is a bit of a shi$tip. We'd love to sort out the garden but my boyf and I have no real idea of what to do. The guy before us thought it would be a good idea to take out a big chunk of the lawn, which was then covered in soil and gravel (which is all mixed into each other). We have no idea what to do as it's a big area. Can we just plonk a load of grass seed on top and forget about it or would the whole lot need coming up? Thanks

suziemoon

Grass is shallow rooting so as long as you cover any concrete with at least 4cm of soil you can then lay turf or put grass seed on to it. But remember that as the concrete is underneath you will need to water it really well in dry weather.

Sabrina237

suziemoon wrote: »

Grass is shallow rooting so as long as you cover any concrete with at least 4cm of soil you can then lay turf or put grass seed on to it. But remember that as the concrete is underneath you will need to water it really well in dry weather.

Thanks a lot for this. Would I need to take all the gravel out though or would it be alright mixed into the soil? Thanks

suziemoon

If you are putting grass seed down then yes remove as much gravel as possible if you are laying turf then so long as you put a good layer of top soil down first you'll be fine. I must admit i've always found turf more successful than grass seed so would be inclined to tell you to turf it if you can afford to.

Davesnave

I'm puzzled. Soil + gravel isn't 'concrete.'


If it is just gravel & soil, then grass will grow on/through it, but if you are lawn-mowing it might be hazardous, as rotary mowers can throw gravel a long way and break windows/hurt people. Provided more soil goes over the gravel first, you should be OK once the grass has bound together, though it won't be a prize lawn.

You're sure it was the previous occupier who did this, not the LL thinking they were creating a 'patio' or dry area for washing line whirligig? I'd get permission, or there might be problems come return of deposit time!

I_have_spoken

If it's fast draining soil/gravel you could get a mix of seeds for annuals, cover over and get a colourful display this year

Aldi is stocking their 'shake and rake' selection from Easter Monday

https://www.aldi.co.uk/en/specialbuys/monday-21st-april/product-detail/ps/p/shake-rake/