The test patch series
Testing Lawn Care Myths and Mistakes
How many times in lawn care have you heard, "You can't do this" or "you shouldn't do that"? In this video series, we set out to test the stuff you're not supposed to try.
These videos are filmed over months, sometimes up to seven months for a single experiment. They're a labour of love and take huge effort to edit. Some experiments are bound to fail before they even begin, but we test them anyway, usually with interesting results.
Why do we do it? Because experimenting is the best way to learn. And honestly, some of the results have blown my mind.
The Fastest Way to Grow Grass from Seed
In this video (our very first test patch video filmed over several months), we killed off part of a field and tested which material grows grass seed fastest. Everyone has an opinion on this, but we wanted actual data.
We tested five different approaches side by side:
- Plastering/sharp sand
- Peat-free compost
- Screened, bagged topsoil
- Uncovered section (bare soil)
- Horticultural fleece cover
The results were fascinating and not what we expected. Some heavily promoted materials performed surprisingly poorly, whilst others exceeded all expectations. This is the kind of real-world testing you won't see anywhere else.
Can You Have a Lawn That Never Needs Cutting?
Spoiler alert. This video was bound to fail before it even began.
We tested different grass seed types over months to see which grew the slowest, and even tried something you're always told not to do: covering new seed with iron.
We also compared growth between scarified and non-scarified patches to see if preparation affects growth rate. The results challenged some assumptions and confirmed others. Even failed experiments teach you something valuable.
I Broke All the Rules for Sowing Grass
This one took seven months to film and started as a completely different idea (which I'm saving for later). We needed the test patch for something else, but I kept filming anyway because the results were too interesting to ignore.
We sowed grass way outside the "ideal" season, the kind of timing everyone tells you will fail. But does it really? With a guest appearance from one of the UK's leading lawn care experts, we pushed the boundaries of conventional advice.
This is what happens when you challenge the rules with proper methodology. Some things worked better than expected, others confirmed why the rules exist. Either way, you'll learn something that changes how you think about seeding timing.
Get the BEST Results from Your New Lawn (Start to Finish)
Just created a new lawn and not sure what to do next? This complete guide covers everything you need to know to get it looking spot-on from day one.
The first few weeks after establishing a new lawn are absolutely critical. Get it wrong, and you'll be fighting problems. Get it right, and you'll have a lawn that thrives with minimal effort.
From when to make that crucial first mow, to how short you should cut it, to what to feed it and when.
Why These Tests Take Months
Unlike quick advice videos, proper lawn testing requires patience. Grass doesn't grow overnight, and meaningful results only emerge over weeks and months of observation.
Each experiment in this series involves setting up controlled test patches, documenting progress weekly, dealing with weather variations, and waiting for grass to fully establish before drawing conclusions. The seven-month video isn't unusual. It's the minimum time needed to see how grass truly performs through different seasons and conditions.
This is why these videos are labours of love. We're not just showing you what happened in a weekend. We're committing months to answer questions that matter: What actually works? What's worth your time and money? What advice holds up under real-world conditions?
The editing alone takes days once filming wraps. But the insights from proper testing, rather than rushed opinions, make it worthwhile. You deserve answers based on evidence, not guesswork. You won't get this level of dedication anywhere else on YouTube.
Common Questions About Lawn Testing
Can I really seed grass outside the ideal timing windows?
The "breaking all the rules" video proves it's possible, but success depends heavily on conditions. Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to October) remain ideal because soil temperatures support germination and grass grows actively, allowing quick establishment.
Seeding in summer risks drought stress and slow germination in hot, dry soil. Winter seeding faces cold temperatures that prevent germination entirely. If you must seed outside ideal windows, prepare for slower results, heavier watering requirements, and the possibility of needing to reseed if conditions turn harsh.
What's the single most important factor for fast grass germination?
Seed-to-soil contact. The fastest germination material test proved this conclusively. Materials that ensured direct contact between seed and soil produced dramatically faster results than those that left seed sitting on the surface, regardless of other factors.
Moisture and temperature matter, but without proper contact, seed germination is slow and patchy. This is why raking seed in, rolling after sowing, or top-dressing with a thin layer of suitable material all improve establishment. The seed needs firm contact with moist soil to germinate reliably.
Why do some lawn care products fail in real-world testing?
Marketing often prioritises convenience, appearance, or sustainability over performance. Some peat-free composts, for example, look ideal but lack the water retention and structure of traditional materials. Heavily promoted products sometimes rely on endorsements rather than actual field testing.
This is why independent testing over months matters more than manufacturer claims. We're not saying specific products are bad, but results in controlled conditions don't always translate to your garden. Real-world testing in typical soil and under normal weather conditions shows what actually works when it matters.
Is slow-growing grass actually beneficial for lawns?
Not really. The no-mow experiment showed that slow growth usually indicates poor health or unsuitable conditions rather than a desirable trait. Healthy grass grows consistently, which means regular mowing, but it also means strong root systems, good density, and weed resistance.
Fine fescues grow slower than ryegrass, but they're still not "no-mow" grass. They require less frequent cutting (perhaps fortnightly instead of weekly in summer), but you still need to mow them. True no-mow lawns are essentially meadows, which serve a different purpose entirely.
When should I fertilise a newly seeded lawn?
Wait until the grass has been mown at least twice, typically 4-6 weeks after germination. Early feeding risks burning tender seedlings before their root systems develop sufficiently. Pre-seeding fertiliser can be applied before sowing, but post-germination feeding should wait until the grass is established.
When you do feed, use a starter or pre-seeder fertiliser with balanced nutrients and moderate nitrogen content. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds designed for established lawns; they promote excessive leaf growth at the expense of root development, leaving new grass vulnerable to stress.
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