6 quick-germinating lawn seed mixes

Gro-sure Fast-Acting Lawn Seed

SEED has a coating that’s said to deter birds and helps to show where seed has been sown, avoiding over (or under) sowing. The micro-nutrient coating of organic compounds is claimed to attract and retain moisture around the seed while encouraging healthy rooting and quick establishment. It contains plant hormones to stimulate growth. Handily, each box has a built-in seed applicator. I’ve used this product and seed was up within a week. It withstood a wet winter. Price: £5.99. Covers box) 15sq/m (450g

Suttons Rapid Green SelfRepairing Lawn Seed

SUTTONS says its Rapid Green mix will germinate in seven to 10 days but it was up in less than five when I used it to sow a small lawn several years ago in autumn. It’s branded as a 100 per cent organic and sustainable mix and is said to be “selfrepairing” – meaning that when an area of lawn has been over-used or worn away, the roots are strong enough to regenerate it in less than a fortnight. Seed is coated with seaweed extract for quick growth and is drought-tolerant, too. Price: £9.99. Covers 30sq/m (625g pack).

Ever Green Fast Grass Lawn Seed

MANUFACTURER The Scotts Company makes a bold claim with this product – promising germination in just four days. It has coated the seed in a treatment called Headstart Gold that’s said to contain nutrients that stimulate seeds to develop and grow – leading to quicker germination, stronger roots and healthier grass. The “professional grade” seed can be sown into early October and can be used for creating new lawns as well as overseeding bare patches.

Price: £9.99. Covers 15 sq/m (450g box).

J Arthur Bower’s Quick Growing Family Lawn

THIS product’s unremarkable packaging shouts fewer claims than its rivals and you have to look hard to see that it takes just seven days to establish. It contains a mix of perennial ryegrass and red fescue seed for a hard wearing lawn, making it ideal for areas of heavy footfall, or if your kids enjoy using the garden to play footy. It can be used for creating a new lawn or repairing existing turf – but there’s no claim of seed coating technology, unlike some of its rivals. Price: £3.84 (at Homebase). Covers 15sq/m (500g box).

Johnsons QuickLawn Lawn Seed

JOHNSONS Lawn Seed is made by DLF Seeds, the world’s largest grass seed breeder, which has selected seeds and coatings used by professional amenity turf managers and brought it to consumer seed mixes. Seed in the box should get growing within seven to 14 days and is coated with what Johnsons calls GroMax which “attracts beneficial bacteria in the soil to the grass roots to further enhance establishment”. The firm says this treatment is child and pet-friendly. Price: 9.49. Covers 20sq/m (500g box).

Gro-Sure Smart Lawn Seed

GRO-SURE’S Smart Lawn Seed isn’t promoted as a fast-germinating mix, but I’ve included it due to its seed coating and claim to be “guaranteed to grow”. Maker Westland coats each seed with ‘Aqua Gel Technology’ that soaks up to 400 times its weight in water, which is gradually released to the seed when needed. The coating also reduces seed losses due to erratic watering and promises to improve germination and seedling establishment. It can be sown until mid-October. Price: £9.99. Covers 25sq/m (1KG box)