Turf Vs seed

Tamz · 19 April 2018 at 1:20PM

Hi We need to put down grass in the garden after building work. Approx 9x 3 m. Have had two gardeners in. One insists turf is the only way to go and seed is a waste of time, as takes too long to grow and might end up patchy. The other one says turf is a waste of time and better to put down seed. The seed option is much cheaper but I'm worried if it's not a good idea. Any advice? How long will it take for seed to grow if we put it down now? Thanks

thriftylass · 19 April 2018 at 1:29PM

We did both (and did both ourselves without a gardener). Used seed in the front garden and turf in the back. Yes, seed takes longer to grow (the prep work is about the same) but way cheaper. The end result is the same, after 5 years, both look a bit mossy, patchy (due to cold weather, lack of care and use etc), a bit uneven due to subsidence etc. I would go with seed again. Seed takes a few weeks (5-10 day germination) to grow and fill out but turf is restrictive too as you're not meant to step on it for the first few weeks either.

[Deleted User] · 19 April 2018 at 3:01PM

We have used both too with similar results.

One thing to consider is that there will be a lot more watering for you to do with turf in the first week to ten days.

Grenage · 19 April 2018 at 3:22PM

We used seed and it was fine. It's all in the prep, regardless of turf or seed - you need a good base or it will end up like a Mexican wave.

So turf if you need a lawn in two weeks, and seed if you can wait a few months.

EachPenny · 19 April 2018 at 7:55PM

If you go down the turf route make sure it is quality turf. A lot is supplied with very little soil (which means very little root) meaning waiting a long time for the lawn to get established. It also dries out very quickly, so needs to be transported and laid swiftly rather than being left laying around in baking sun for days. You might also want to get some assurance about the turf supplier and the quality of soil you will be getting - you don't want to be importing all kinds of pests and weeds into your garden along with the turf.

For me it would be seed every time, waiting the little extra time for the lawn to get established is worth it for the end result.

Turf Vs seed

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