There are many reasons why a turf lawn is preferable to seeding, not least of which is the fact that turf produces an instant lawn which can be walked on, mown and used within 2 weeks.

Turf can be used anywhere and is particularly effective on slopes where it instantly stops soil erosion and water run off where seed would just be washed off.

There is no right or wrong time to turf an area but only a short time in spring and autumn when you can sow seed. Seed germination can also fail which means waiting a whole season before having another go.

Consider the following factors before choosing which is right for you:

• Seed has the highest water needs. Bare soil will dry out very quickly, turf shades the soil and makes sure the water stays where it is needed.
• Seed will need multiple applications of chemical weed killers until established to stop weeds. Good quality weed treated turf provided it is laid on properly prepared ground will only need an application once or twice a year.
• Turf provides 100% even coverage whereas a seeded lawn will be patchy and take up to 3 years to even out.
• Turf can be walked on and used within 2 weeks, seed will stand light traffic after 6 months but it will take a year before normal use is recommended.
• Seed can be sown for a short period twice a year, turf can be laid at anytime even in the winter.
• Seed may seem the cheap option but is false economy as it needs more water, more weed killer and feed than turf.
• Turf only needs laying once whereas if the germination fails seeding may need doing more than once.
• Turf has instant visual impact, seed will look bare and patchy for months and take up to three years to look as good as turf which is well established and mature when it is laid.
• Turf may seem expensive but when you consider the cost of hard landscaping and plants it is probably the cheapest and most effective thing you will put in your garden.