Corpus Galabau · Guide · November 2026
Lawn seed: cheaper, but it takes patience
- Advantages: lower material costs, a wide choice of seed mixtures for shade, play or ornamental lawns, no rush when laying.
- Disadvantages: It usually takes several weeks to a few months until the lawn can take wear. During this time the area must be kept moist and protected. Weeds, birds and heavy rain can disturb the young seed.
- Best time: spring and late summer to early autumn, when the soil is warm and sufficiently moist.
Turf: green straight away, but tied to a date
- Advantages: The area is closed and green immediately, and weeds hardly stand a chance. Once rooted, the lawn can usually be used normally after a few weeks.
- Disadvantages: higher costs for material and delivery. Turf should be laid on the day of delivery if possible, because the rolled sods quickly suffer damage.
- Best time: almost all year, as long as the ground is not frozen and there is no long heatwave.
Soil preparation is decisive
Whether seed or turf: without good preparation the lawn stays patchy. This includes:
- removing old growth, roots and stones
- loosening compacted soil and, for heavy soils, working in sand if needed
- finely levelling the area so that no hollows form in which water stands
- lightly rolling the soil so that it does not settle unevenly later
On new-build plots in particular, the soil is often heavily compacted by construction vehicles. Thorough loosening is then worthwhile before the lawn is created.
The first weeks: water is everything
Newly laid turf and fresh seed need regular water in the first weeks, daily in warm weather. The aim is to keep the soil beneath the lawn evenly moist without water standing. Walk on the area as little as possible during this time.
Mow for the first time when the blades have grown noticeably and the lawn has rooted firmly – with turf you can tell because the sods can no longer be lifted. Do not cut too short the first time.
Care afterwards
- Mowing: about weekly in the main growing season, cutting off only part of the blade length each time
- Fertilising: in spring and summer as needed; a soil analysis helps with the choice
- Scarifying: in spring if there is thatch and moss, then reseed bare patches
- Watering: in dry spells, better less often and thoroughly than a little every day
Our garden year checklist gives an overview of the whole year.
Which solution fits?
Lawn seed is worthwhile if you have time and can spare the area for a few weeks. Turf makes sense if the area needs to be usable quickly, if slopes must be protected from washing out or if weed pressure is high. For very shady spots, a shade-tolerant seed mixture or planting with ground cover is often a better choice than lawn.
How we can help
Corpus Galabau handles soil preparation, lawn sowing and laying turf and, if you wish, the establishment care and regular lawn care afterwards.
