The lawn sets the scene for the whole garden and is often the connecting link between all the other elementssuch as flower beds and shrubs. More than any other feature, the lawn brings a sense of peace and relaxation to the garden with its smooth, year round greenness. Grass is unique in the plant kingdom. It can be cut low without being damaged and stands up well to wear and so it can be both an attractive and a functional part of the garden at the same time.
When to establish
Lawns can be 
established by sowing seed or by laying turf. Grass seed is best sown in warm, moist conditions so that the seed germinates and establishes quickly. In a normal year, September and April are the best months but other periods can be suitable if conditions are right. In high rainfall areas or where irrigation is available, seed can be sown successfully during the summer months.
Turf can be laid at any time of the year provided the ground is not waterlogged or frozen. It should be laid on moist, but not wet, soil so that rooting occurs rapidly. If laid during periods of high temperature, irrigation will be necessary to prevent the sods drying out. Ideally turf should be laid when rain is expected within the next few days.
Where to establish
Lawns are used in the garden for many different purposes and their position is determined by their function. Lawns can be a showpiece in their own right, a foreground to set off attractive plantings of flowers and shrubs, a pleasant area for walking and relaxation or a playing surface for children and adults.
A lawn should be positioned so that it links well with other features in the garden. It should forms a unifying part of the whole design and its shape should be in keeping with the style of the garden. A symmetrical, square, rectangular or circular lawn surrounded by regular paths or flower beds is appropriate for a formal setting but an informal, irregular design giving the garden a pleasing fluidity will generally be more suitable. Lawns are often carefully sited so that they lead the eye to a focal point such as a specimen tree, garden seat or an ornament.
Choice of grass
First class lawns can be established either by sowing seed or laying turf. Seed has the advantage that it is cheaper and a greater variety of grass species is available for specific purposes. Turf has the great advantage that the lawn can be created and used almost immediately. Laying turf can also be done in the winter when sowing seed would be inadvisable.
A lawn grass should be able to tolerate close mowing, drought and low temperatures. It should also be hard wearing, resistant to disease and have a low-growing habit. As no single grass species has all these qualities, lawns are usually composed of a mixture of types. Suitable mixtures for particular situations are shown below:
|
Situation or purpose |
Suitable seed mixture |
|
High quality, ornamental lawn |
80% Chewing’s fescue, 20% browntop bent |
|
General purpose ornamental lawn |
25% Chewing’s fescue, 10% browntop bent, 25% creeping red fescue, 35% smooth stalked meadow grass. |
|
General purpose lawn |
20% Chewing’s fescue, 10% browntop bent, 20% creeping red fescue, 20% smooth stalked meadow grass, 30% perennial ryegrass. |
|
Steep slopes |
30% Chewing’s fescue, 20% browntop bent, 45% slender creeping red fescue, 5% lesser timothy |
Wood meadow grass can grow under the shade of trees and buildings. It will not thrive if cut frequently so that it is only suitable where little or no mowing takes place.
How to establish
Whether the lawn is established by seed or turf, the ground must be prepared thoroughly. The site should be cleared of all large stones, rubble and tree roots. Perennial weeds with fleshy underground roots must be eradicated, either by digging and hand picking in small areas or by the use of an appropriate weedkiller. Top soil should be at least 20 cm deep and should be free draining. If the land tends to be very wet or waterlogged, a system of clay or perforated plastic drainage pipes should be installed at the preparation stage. The pipes should be covered with a layer of gravel, sand and topsoil and should carry surplus water to a drainage ditch or soakaway. The soil should be dug thoroughly and the surface levelled to remove bumps and hollows. A few days before sowing seed or laying turf, a complete fertiliser should be applied according to supplier’s instructions. The soil should then be raked and trampled to create a firm, friable seed bed.
Optimum seeding rate varies depending on the mixture used but is likely to be in the region of 35g/sq. metre. Before sowing shake the container to mix the seeds thoroughly. Divide the seed into two portions and sow half in one direction and half in the other to get an even spread. Use a yard brush or rake to lightly cover the seed with soil.
Similar careful ground preparation is required where turf is to be laid.