|  Preparation
Tediously, the secret of a great new lawn lies
in preparation. Like getting a good paint finish or making a presentation
at work, it's the work you put in beforehand that makes the difference:
Once you've decided on the size and shape of your lawn, you'll
need to prepare the ground. Firstly remove any tree stumps, large
stones and builders rubble.
Dig over the lawn with a fork and add some organic compost to the
soil to give your lawn a good start.
Your proposed lawn should be as level as possible - it's easy to
do this with a spirit level and a plank. Rake over the area untill
the high spots are removed and you get a level surface.
Next shuffle back and forth over area to firm it up - you can use
a light roller for this but avoid using a heavy one as it may compact
the soil too much and cause drainage problems.
Leave the compacted area for a week or two to settle then remove
any weeds which may have appeared. Finally give the soil a light
dressing of fertiliser and rake it in.
Laying a new lawn
The choice now is whether to go for the slower, cheaper method
of seeding or the much quicker but more expensive way of laying
turf.
Laying a lawn with Turf
Bear in mind that even if you're turfing, it'll still take a few
weeks before you can use the lawn fully. If you try to walk on it
too soon, the turfs can move apart resulting in an uneven and patchy
lawn.
Unlike seed which is best sown in late spring or early autumn,
turf can be planted at more or less anytime as long as the ground
isn't frozen or too dry. Shop around for turf and make sure you
get several quotes from reputable (so you don't end up with more
weeds than grass!) suppliers .
Once the turf has been delivered, don't delay in laying it or it'll
start to yellow. It really is a case of the sooner the better so
you'll need to call in all those favours from your friends and family
and have as much help as possible. (An offer of a cold beer often
helps negotiations...)
Laying a lawn with Seed
If you want the classic striped look then choose a seed without
ryegrass, it won't be hardwearing but it will give you a bowling
green smooth finish. If on the other hand, your lawn has to cope
with dogs, cats, kids and the odd kick around, a ryegrass mix will
be a lot more resilient.
If you have areas that are in shade, don't forget that grasses
which do well in limited sunlight are now available.
Care for your new Lawn Whatever happens,
don't let your new lawn dry out. It's better to give the grass a
real soaking now and again rather than a gentle watering more often.
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