Renew lawn: Inexpensive & without digging

Is your lawn neglected, overgrown with weeds and moss? We will show you how you can create a new and magnificent lawn without digging up and at a low cost.

There can be a number of reasons why a lawn becomes less and less attractive over time. In the long run, moss and weeds can grow, especially if there is a lack of care or an incorrectly set cutting depth. If there are also unsightly gaps in the grass, it is high time to renew the lawn. Unfortunately, simply sowing a few new lawn seeds is not enough. However, we are happy to share with you a relatively unknown technique that creates a beautiful new lawn without digging. By the way, this method is also very cheap! The costs (even when using quality seed) only amount to around 30 to 40 cents per square meter. When buying rolled turf, with approx. 5 euros per square meter can be calculated, which does not even include delivery by a forwarding agent. With our instructions, your green stalks will soon sprout again without gaps.

Buy tested lawn seeds

So that the new planting of your lawn is promising, you should definitely only use quality seed. Only lawn seeds with the label Regelsaatgutmischung (RSM) meet the highest quality standards. The types of grass contained there are specially bred to meet the needs of ornamental lawns or more resilient utility lawns. The RSM label has its own abbreviations for ornamental and utility lawns. If you value hard-wearing grass, look for the 2.2 – 2.3 type. For representative Type 1.1 is more suitable for purposes. There are also special ones for dry and shady locations seed. If uncertainties arise when choosing seeds, it is always advisable to consult a professional. Because the choice of seed is the most important basis for a beautiful and long-lasting lawn splendor.

Mow the lawn according to these instructions

The time for renewing the lawn should be chosen in the warm months, i.e. from May to September. Then the soil offers the best germination conditions for the lawn seeds. However, in order for the new grass to have a chance at all, the old turf must be weakened. To do this, the mower must be set to the deepest possible cutting depth and then the entire lawn should be mowed. It is important that all clippings are removed from the lawn. In the case of major problems with weeds, this step also serves to weaken the unwelcome herbs.

The scarifying must not be missing

Over time, dead blades of grass accumulate and form a thatch. Removing the lawn thatch is one of the most important steps. If the new lawn seeds were simply scattered on the felt, the result would be an extremely low germination rate. A commercially available scarifier is suitable for removal. As usual, this is used to cover the surface several times in the transverse and longitudinal directions. Of course, the uncovered thatch must also be thoroughly removed with a rake.

We recommend the following scarifying products:

• WOLF-Garten electric scarifier: scarifier with 1,300 W motor. Comfortable working width of 30 cm with moss rake and a 35 l collection bag.
• WOLF-Garten pendulum scarifier: Thoroughly removes moss and thatch from the lawn with oscillating scarifier blades.
• GARDENA Scarifier Boy: For removing moss, weeds and thatch from smaller, flat areas.

tip: In areas that are particularly heavily weeded, it makes sense to use herbicides before sowing.

Applying lawn seed and fertilizer: This is how it works

Now you should spread both the starter fertilizer and the lawn seeds with a spreader. However, a few things have to be considered: In addition to a high-quality standard seed mixture (RSM), the use of a special lawn fertilizer is also very useful. A lawn fertilizer with an increased phosphate content should be used when laying out a new lawn. Among other things, the phosphate promotes the formation of roots and side shoots in the grass.

It is also important that the amount of seed and fertilizer applied is strictly adhered to according to the manufacturer's instructions. For this reason, we strongly advise against applying the seeds and fertilizer by hand. Uniform results will not be achieved here and the lawn will grow unevenly as a result. It doesn't really matter whether the fertilizer or the lawn seed is applied first. In order to avoid incorrect spreading, however, it makes sense to spread the seed in the longitudinal direction and the fertilizer in the transverse direction.

Be sure to cover lawn seed

After being sown, the lawn seeds lie unprotected on the surface of the earth. As a result, the seeds can quickly dry up and die during germination. In order to avoid this unfavorable circumstance, it is advisable to apply a thin and protective layer of substrate (not thicker than half a centimetre). Fine, unfertilized peat is usually used for this. You can also use organic alternatives such as coconut pulp for this. The only important thing is that the scatter component is fertilized only weakly or not at all. With this step you will achieve much better germination success.

Water the lawn after sowing

After the lawn is finished, you're almost there. Now it's time to wait and water regularly. During the germination phase of the lawn seeds, the surface of the soil must not dry out. Depending on the weather, the area sometimes has to be briefly watered several times a day. Sprinkler systems with fine water droplets are best suited for this. Heavy watering can quickly wash away the small seeds and ruin all previous work. Since some types of grass need up to 4 weeks to germinate, watering must be continuous for at least this period.

If you follow these steps exactly, then nothing stands in the way of a magnificent lawn. Further Tips and tricks for the perfect lawn you'll find here. Incidentally, the lawn will thank you very much if a long-term lawn fertilizer is applied after about 6 weeks. As a result, the lawn will quickly overgrow any remaining gaps.

Plantura wishes you lots of fun with your new lawn!