Turf or Grass Seed for a New Lawn? What Each Needs (UK)
Turf gives you a lawn in days and seed gives you one in weeks, at a very different cost. The ground preparation is the same either way. For a 6 × 5 m (30 m²) lawn, the turf calculator and seed calculator give:
| Turf | Grass seed | |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity | 32 rolls of turf (31.5 m² with waste) | 1.16 kg of seed (2 boxes of 1 kg) |
| Topsoil (if needed) | 1.65 m³ | The same preparation applies |
How they compare
- Speed: turf gives an instant lawn that you can use lightly in a few weeks. Seed takes a growing season to thicken up.
- Cost: seed costs a small fraction of turf per square metre, so it suits large areas and tight budgets.
- Timing: turf can be laid for much of the year in mild weather but needs watering through dry spells. Seed must be sown in early autumn or spring and kept moist while it germinates.
- Weeds and birds: seed is open to weeds and to birds until it grows, and heavy rain can wash it away on a slope. Turf is already a closed lawn.
- Choice of grass: seed lets you pick a mix for shade, wear or a fine finish. Turf is limited to what the supplier grows.
Choosing
Choose turf for a small area, a quick result or a slope. Choose seed for a large lawn, a budget job or a special mix, and be patient. Either way, spend the time on preparation, use the topsoil calculator for any soil you need to import, and see the turf guide, the grass seed guide and the lawn planner.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to sow grass seed in the UK?
Early autumn and spring are the usual windows, when the soil is warm and moist. Avoid midsummer heat and winter frost.
How soon can I walk on a turf lawn?
Stay off it for the first couple of weeks while it roots, then use it lightly. Seed takes longer: the grass needs to be established and mown a few times before regular use.
Is turf more expensive than seed?
Turf costs far more per square metre to buy, because you are paying for grown grass. Seed is the cheaper way to cover a large area, provided you can wait. Compare current local prices.
Do I prepare the ground differently?
No. Both need weeds cleared, the soil dug over, levelled, firmed and raked fine, with topsoil added if needed. The better the preparation, the better either lawn will be.
More guides
Tools & materials for this project
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Estimates only. Quantities depend on your materials, site and supplier. Confirm important numbers before you order, and check the Building Regulations and any planning rules for anything structural or close to a boundary.