Where do you deliver?: We offer local delivery within a 10 mile radius of our centre, and nationwide shipping across mainland UK for smaller items, under 30kg and no longer than 59cm. Note that some remote areas like the Scottish Highlands or offshore islands may incur a surcharge.
How long will my order take?: Local deliveries are typically completed: Downham Market – Monday to Thursday and outside of Downham Market is Wednesday and Thursday. Smaller items sent via nationwide courier usually arrive within 2-3 working days.
Do I need to be home for delivery?: For courier items, a signature may be required, or the driver may leave it in a designated safe place. Local deliveries will be a “kerbside delivery”?: For heavy items like compost or large pots, delivery is often to the kerbside only, meaning the driver will unload as close to your property as safely possible but due to insurance and safety we cannot move items into your back garden.
Do you accept National Garden Gift Vouchers? Yes we do accept National Garden Gift Vouchers.
Is VAT included?: Yes, all prices shown on our website are inclusive of VAT.
Can I amend my order?: Changes can be made to an order, please feel free to contact us if you experience any problems.
Sowing & Timing
When is the best time to sow grass seed? The ideal times in the UK are early autumn (late August to October) and mid-spring (April to May). During these periods, the soil is warm enough for germination, and there is typically enough natural rainfall to keep the seeds moist.
What temperature does the soil need to be? Most grass seed require a consistent soil temperature of at least 8–10°C to germinate. If the air feels warm but the ground is still cold from winter, wait a few extra days for the soil to catch up.
Can I sow seed in the summer? While possible, it is much harder because the soil dries out quickly. You would need to water the area 1–2 times every day to prevent the seedlings from dying.
Quantities & Coverage
How much seed do I need for a new lawn? For starting a lawn from scratch on bare soil, we recommend a sowing rate of 35–50g per square metre. Using less can result in a patchy lawn, while using too much can lead to overcrowding and “damping off” disease.
How much seed is needed for overseeding? To thicken up an existing lawn or repair thin patches, a lower rate of 20–35g per square metre is usually sufficient.
How do I calculate my lawn’s area? Break your lawn into basic shapes (rectangles or circles). For a rectangle, multiply the length by the width in metres to get the square meterage.
Growth & Aftercare
How long does grass seed take to grow? Most standard UK mixes (like Ryegrass and Fescue) will show green shoots in 7–14 days. However, it takes roughly 6–8 weeks for the lawn to become fully established and ready for regular use.
When can I first mow my new lawn? Do not mow until the grass reaches about 3 inches (7.5cm) in height. For the first cut, ensure your mower blades are very sharp and set to the highest setting, removing no more than the top third of the blade.
How do I stop birds from eating the seed? You can lightly rake the seed into the soil (no deeper than 1cm) or cover the area with a transparent garden fleece or bird netting until the shoots appear.
Troubleshooting
Why hasn’t my seed germinated? The most common reasons are low soil temperature, insufficient watering, or the seed being buried too deeply. If you have recently used a “weed and feed” product, you must wait at least 8–10 weeks before sowing new seed, as the weedkiller may still be active in the soil.
1: Preparation
Before you sow, you must create a clean, level bed for your seeds.
Clear the Area: Remove all weeds, large stones, and old turf.
Dig or Rotovate: Loosen the soil to a depth of roughly 15–20cm. This relieves compaction and allows new roots to penetrate easily.
Level and Firm: Use a rake to remove bumps and fill in hollows. Firm the ground by doing the “penguin walk”—shuffling across the area with small steps using your heels to squeeze out air pockets.
The Final Rake: Finish with a final light rake to create a fine, crumbly surface (known as a “tilth”).
Step 2: Nutrients and Timing
Apply Fertiliser: A few days before sowing, rake in a pre-seed fertiliser. This provides essential nutrients, especially phosphorus, to encourage strong root development from day one.
Check the Weather: Choose a calm day with no heavy rain forecast, as wind can blow seeds away and a downpour can wash them into clumps.
Step 3: Sowing for Even Coverage
Don’t just throw the seed; accuracy prevents a patchy lawn.
Divide the Area: Mark out your lawn into 1-metre squares using string or canes.
Split the Seed: Divide your seed for each square into two equal batches.
The Cross-Sowing Method: Sow the first batch in one direction (e.g., North to South) and the second batch at a right angle (e.g., East to West). This ensures complete, even coverage across the entire area.
Step 4: Secure the Seed
Lightly Rake: Gently rake the seeds into the top 5–10mm of soil. They need light to germinate, so do not bury them too deep.
Light Roll or Tread: Roll the area or tread lightly once more to ensure good seed-to-soil contact, which is vital for successful germination.
Step 5: Watering and Protection
Fine Spray: Use a sprinkler or a watering can with a fine rose to water the area immediately. Avoid heavy droplets that can displace the seeds.
Keep it Moist: For the first 2–3 weeks, never let the soil dry out. Depending on the weather, this might mean watering lightly once or twice a day.
Bird Protection: If birds are a problem, cover the area with horticultural fleece or bird netting until the seedlings are roughly 1 inch high.
Shady
The Solution for Low-Light Areas
Standard grass often struggles under trees or beside high fences. This mix contains a higher percentage of Fescues, which are naturally more tolerant of low light and can thrive with less direct sun.
Best for: Under tree canopies, north-facing gardens, and areas shaded by buildings.
Key Benefit: Prevents moss build-up in damp, dark corners.
Quick Lawn
The Fast-Track to Green
This blend is designed for rapid germination and establishment. It typically uses high-quality Perennial Ryegrass that is bred to “pop” out of the ground faster than traditional mixes.
Best for: Repairing bare patches before a garden party or quickly stabilising soil.
Key Benefit: Shows green shoots in as little as 4–7 days under ideal conditions.
General Purpose
The Family-Friendly All-Rounder
This is your most popular “bread and butter” mix. It strikes a balance between aesthetic beauty and rugged durability. It can handle children, pets, and regular foot traffic without looking worn.
Best for: Front and back gardens, play areas, and high-traffic lawns.
Key Benefit: High recovery rate—if it gets trampled, it bounces back quickly.
Any Time (Low Temperature)
The Season Extender
Standard seeds go dormant below 10celcius This specialized mix uses cold-tolerant strains (often tetraploid ryegrass) that can germinate in soil temperatures as low as 3-5c.
Best for: Early spring repairs or late autumn sowing when the weather has turned cold.
Key Benefit: Extends your sowing window, allowing for repairs in early March or late Step
Sunday Best (Premium Ornamental)
The Ultimate Show-Stopping Lawn
Our “Sunday Best” mix is for the gardener who wants perfection. This blend uses the finest-leaved Bentgrass and Fescue varieties to create a dense, velvet-like carpet. It is designed for a luxury finish that looks incredible when mowed closely and striped with a roller.
Best for: Decorative front gardens, formal lawns, and enthusiasts who enjoy regular lawn maintenance.
Key Benefit: Creates an ultra-fine texture and a deep, uniform green colour that stays beautiful year-round with the right care.
Pro Tip: This mix can be mowed shorter than our other blends, but it thrives best with a regular feeding and scarifying routine.
The Secret to the “Sunday Best” Stripy lawn
Achieving a luxury lawn requires a bit of finesse and the right equipment. Follow these steps to turn your garden into a local landmark.
1. The Right Equipment
To get defined stripes, you ideally need a petrol or electric mower with a rear roller. As the mower cuts the grass, the roller bends the blades in the direction of travel. The “stripes” are actually an optical illusion:
Grass bent away from you looks light (reflecting sun).
Grass bent towards you looks dark (showing the shadow).
2. The Perfect Cut Height
For Sunday Best, consistency is key.
Don’t go too short: Even for a luxury lawn, never take off more than one-third of the blade height at once.
The Sweet Spot: Aim for a height of 20mm–25mm. If you cut it like a golf green (under 10mm), the grass becomes stressed and prone to weeds.
3. Mastering the Pattern
The Perimeter: Start by mowing two full laps around the edge of the lawn. This gives you a “turning zone” so you don’t miss the corners.
The First Stripe: Pick a straight focal point (like a fence or the house) to align your first row. Accuracy here determines the rest of the lawn!
The Turn: At the end of the row, turn the mower on the “perimeter zone” you cut earlier, and align the next row so it slightly overlaps the first.
The “North-South” Rule: Always mow in opposite directions for adjacent stripes.
4. Sunday Best Maintenance Tips
Edges Matter: A luxury lawn looks messy if the edges are shaggy. Use a pair of long-handled edging shears to keep the borders crisp.
Feed the Colour: Use a high-nitrogen fertiliser in spring to keep the green deep and vibrant.
Switch Directions: Every few weeks, mow your stripes “East-West” instead of “North-South.” This prevents “wash-boarding” (ridges forming in the soil) and keeps the grass blades standing upright.
FAQ “Sunday Best”
Is “Sunday Best” suitable for dogs and kids?
Because this mix uses finer, more delicate grasses to achieve its velvet look, it isn’t as “tough” as our General Purpose mix. If your lawn is a football pitch for the kids or a racetrack for dogs, we recommend our General Purpose or Quick Lawn blends instead.
