Your A1 Lawn Starter Lawncare Pack Product Guide

We would all like our grass to be strong and healthy, but achieving this starts well before the seed goes down. Whether your lawn has bare patches or you’re creating a new lawn from scratch, proper preparation is the key to ensure that it looks its best all year round.

In this guide, you’ll discover exactly how to prepare your lawn for seeding. This will include which products to use and when to use them.

Why is Lawn Preparation so Important?

Successful lawn establishment relies on three key factors: moisture, correct soil temperature, and good seed-to-soil contact. Careful preparation gives grass seed the best possible chance to germinate, establish strong roots and develop into a dense, healthy lawn.

When is the Best Time to Start Your Lawn Preparation?

You can start when you are ready, but you need to check the weather forecast and make sure that temperatures are due to remain above 10°C for the next two to three weeks. Then, before you begin, you need to cut your existing lawn to around one inch.

How do I Control the Moss Growing in My Garden?

Moss commonly appears after autumn and winter and can prevent grass seed from making contact with the soil. This is why, if you’ve got moss, you need to deal with it before doing anything else. You can treat moss using Sul-Fe (Iron Sulphate) to blacken and weaken it. This also helps to deepen your lawn’s green colour.

Should I Scarify My Lawn?

Yes, scarifying is an important step in lawn preparation, particularly if your lawn has suffered from moss growth. Scarifying also helps with excessive thatch (dead organic matter) build-up or poor drainage. Once moss has been treated, it should be removed. Scarifying is the most effective way to do this, using either a rake or a scarifier. Raking out blackened moss and thatch opens up the surface for new growth.

Do you Need to Aerate the Lawn?

Aeration improves drainage and airflow to the roots, which is particularly important during wet or unpredictable weather. Use an aerator or a garden fork and focus on compacted areas.

How Do You Control Weeds?

Weeds should be controlled before seeding to reduce competition. Use Kurtail Lawn selective herbicide, which targets most common lawn weeds without harming grass. Apply when weeds are actively growing in warm, moist conditions. Important: apply at least six weeks before or after seeding.

Should you Apply Top Dressing?

A thin layer of topsoil helps improve seed-to-soil contact and protects seed from birds while aiding moisture retention. It also helps create a more even surface, filling in minor dips and imperfections that can affect the appearance of your lawn. For best results, apply a light layer after sowing and gently work it into the surface without completely burying the seed.

How to Apply Your Lawncare Products

Now that you know what you need to do, you need to know how to apply your lawncare products. Following the correct application rates and timing is essential to ensure each product works effectively and delivers the best possible results for your lawn.

Sul-Fe - Iron Sulphate

This will help to keep your grass green and blacken moss. However, you should be aware that greening may take longer in cold temperatures, and you should not apply it to frosty or frozen ground.

• Mix 50g per 1 litre of water to treat 25m²
• 1kg (covers up to 1000m²)

Energise G Soil Conditioner

Energise G Soil Conditioner should be used in March. It’s designed to improve the soil health and structure before seeding. Humic acids improve water and nutrient uptake while carbon supports soil microbes and breaks down excess thatch.

• Apply at 15g per m²
• 2kg (covers up to 150m²)

A1 Lawn Multi-Purpose Grass Seed

A1 Lawn Multi-Purpose Grass Seed is ideal for filling bare patches and overseeding existing lawns. You can sow by hand or use a spreader. You may want to mix it with sand, as this will help with even coverage.

• 3kg (covers up to 60m²) with Amvista Mycorrhizae Biostimulant
• 1kg (covers up to 33m²)
• 35g per m² for overseeding
• 20g per m² for new lawns
• Mix mycorrhizal powder with seed at 30g per m² before sowing

A1 Lawn New Grass Pre-Seed and Pre-Turf Fertiliser

A1 Lawn New Grass Pre-Seed and Pre-Turf Fertiliser supports strong germination and early root development. You should spread this evenly using a spreader or by hand. But be careful to avoid over-application as this can damage young seedlings.

• [6-9-6] – 2.5kg (covers up to 70m²)
• Apply at 35g per m²

When Should I Use Each Product?

Are you wondering when to use the products on the lawn? Here’s exactly what you need to use and when:

• January – March: Sul-Fe
• March – April: Energise G Soil Conditioner + Kurtail Lawn (optional)
• April – May: New Grass Fertiliser + Grass Seed + Mycorrhizal Biostimulant

What Do I Need to Know About Looking After My New Lawn?

Here are a few things you should do and things you definitely shouldn’t do to look after your new lawn. Getting the balance right during the early stages of establishment is crucial, as this is when your grass is most vulnerable but also developing its long-term strength.

What Should I Do to Look After My Lawn?

1. Do feed regularly using seasonal fertilisers and biostimulants
2. Do water to keep the soil consistently moist during establishment
3. Do mow regularly once established to encourage thick, even growth

What Shouldn’t I Do When Looking After My New Lawn?

1. Don’t overwater, which can cause puddling and disease
2. Don’t walk on the lawn until the grass is fully established
3. Don’t mow too soon – wait a few weeks and use a high cut for the first mow

What Else Can I Use to Get the Best Results For My New Lawn?

You want to get the best result, so here are a couple of other things you might like to consider that will help. Firstly, you could use a handheld spreader. This is an easy and accurate way to apply grass seed and fertiliser evenly, helping achieve consistent coverage and better results.

You may also like to use Melcourt Topsoil Blended Loam. A thin layer of topsoil improves seed-to-soil contact and creates the ideal surface for even germination.

Are You Ready to Start Preparing Your New Lawn?

With the right preparation and products, establishing a healthy lawn doesn’t have to be complicated. Your A1 Lawn Starter Pack provides everything you need to prepare, seed and support your lawn for long-lasting results.

If you have any further questions or would like to discuss the best treatments for your garden, don't hesitate to get in touch with our expert team.