Turf or seed?

Laying turf

Make sure the groundwork is done before the turf arrives. In dry weather, water the prepared site a few hours before turfing. If you need help creating a straight edge when you start laying the turfs, use canes and a string line.

1. Lay the first strips of turf at one corner of the area. Position them carefully, as they will dictate the alignment of the rest of the lawn.	2. Lay each turf so it butts its neighbour as tightly as possible, as gaps are prone to drying out. Lay the strips in a brick pattern so the joins are staggered.	3. With two rows in place, tamp them level with the flat back of a shovel so the roots are in contact with the soil and to firm the joints between the turfs.
4. Step back from the lawn regularly to check the overall level. It's easier to correct as you go along, rather than wait until the whole lawn is down.	5. Using a spade or half-moon edging iron, cut the turf at the end of the row. Leave the lawn larger than the desired size. Once it's established, trim neatly to shape.

• Aim to get the turf down the day it arrives. If this isn't possible, unroll the turf to prevent it turning yellow.

Sowing grass seed

Avoid the temptation to sow grass seed too thickly. Suggested rates vary according to the seed mixture, but 35g per square metre is common. Over-seeding puts too much demand on water, nutrients and light.

1. Weigh the recommended amount of seed to cover 1m2. It may not appear very much, but don't be tempted to use any more than this.	2. Scatter the seed with a swinging motion. Start by sowing thinly across each m². You'll soon be able to judge the density of seed by eye.	3. Use a spring-tined rake to mix the seed into the top of the soil to prevent it from drying out. Rake the area twice, the second time at right angles to the first.

• So you can judge the rate of sowing, first practice scattering 35g of seed over a 1m² sheet of black plastic.

Aftercare to keep your grass in shape

• Use a lawn roller six weeks after turfing or seeding. This will help to level the developing lawn and push any stones into the soil and out of the way of your lawnmower.
• Cut turf and seeded lawns when the grass reaches 5cm. This will encourage dense clumps that will knit together to create the best lawn.
• Little but often is the right approach to cutting new lawns in their first growing season. Leave grass at least 2.5cm long to prevent scalping and to encourage strong growth.
• Keep the soil moist. Water turf at least three times a week for about a month to prevent the joints drying out. Water seeded lawns twice a week until germination occurs.
• Don't use weedkillers or weed-and-feed products on any lawn less than a year old.

Where to buy

Turf

• Rolawn 0845 604 6050, www.rolawn.co.uk (suppliers of the turf used in our step-by-steps)
• Visit www.yell.com to find local turf suppliers

Lawn seed

• Johnsons Lawn Seed 01386 791 113, www.johnsonslawnseed.co.uk (for stockists)
• Lawn UK 01787 227 654, www.lawnuk.co.uk (features a handy Lawn Wizard - type in your answers to five questions and it will recommend the best three seed mixtures for you to use)
• Nickys Nursery 01843 600 972, www.nickys-nursery.co.uk
• Suttons 0844 922 0606, www.suttons.co.uk