Searles Strong & Hardy Lawn Seed 750g: Fast Growing Grass Seed for High Traffic Lawns

Searles Strong & Hardy: Hard-Wearing Lawn Seed for High Traffic Areas

Searles Strong & Hardy Lawn Seed is a fast-establishing, hard-wearing grass seed blend made for high traffic lawns in full sun, such as backyards, play areas and paths across the lawn. It combines quick-growing ryegrasses with couch and fescue to give fast cover and a deep green colour once mature. One 750g box sows about 25m², making it a practical lawn seed for repairing worn patches, overseeding thin lawns or starting a small new lawn. Searles has made Australian garden products since 1977.

What's in the Blend

• 45% perennial ryegrass
• 30% annual ryegrass
• 10% hulled couch
• 5% unhulled couch
• 5% creeping red fescue
• 5% turf type fescue

Annual and perennial ryegrass make up three quarters of the mix. They germinate quickly and give the fast cover this blend is known for. Couch is a warm-season grass that spreads by runners and handles household traffic well. The fescues add a finer texture and help the lawn hold its colour.

How the Grasses Work Together

The grasses in this blend establish at different speeds. Ryegrass germinates first, often within about a week in good conditions, and covers the bare soil quickly. Couch needs warm soil, around 18°C or more, and can take up to two weeks or longer to sprout. If you sow in autumn, the ryegrass will carry the lawn through the cooler months, and the couch will thicken up as the weather warms in spring and summer. The annual ryegrass gradually fades after its first year, leaving the perennial ryegrass, couch and fescue as the long-term lawn.

Grass Seed for Overseeding and Lawn Repair

This blend is ideal for oversowing an existing lawn that has thinned out, and for grass lawn repair where foot traffic, pets or kids have worn bare patches. Ryegrass establishes fast enough to fill gaps before weeds move in.

• Overseeding: mow the existing lawn short, rake out dead grass and thatch, then spread the seed evenly over the thin areas.
• Patch repair: remove dead grass and weeds, loosen the soil, sow the seed and lightly rake it in.

Preparing the Soil

Remove weeds, stones and old lawn debris, then loosen the top layer of soil with a rake and level it so the seed makes good contact with the ground. If your soil is acidic, a dressing of garden lime helps bring it closer to pH 6 to 7, which suits most lawn grasses. On heavy clay, gypsum helps improve structure and drainage.

How to Sow Lawn Seed

• Sow at about 750g per 25m².
• Divide the seed in two. Spread half in one direction, then the other half across it at right angles for even coverage.
• Lightly rake the seed into the topsoil without burying it too deep.
• Water gently with a fine spray so the seed isn't washed away.
• Keep the top 1cm of soil moist every day until the grass has germinated, usually within 5 to 21 days depending on the grasses and weather.
• Keep foot traffic off the area until the new lawn is established.

When to Sow

Searles recommends sowing in autumn or spring, when milder temperatures make it easier to keep the soil moist. This blend is best for full sun. Avoid sowing just before heavy rain, in extreme heat, or when you can't water regularly.

First Mow and Ongoing Care

Wait until the new grass reaches about 10cm before the first mow. Use a sharp blade, remove no more than one-third of the height at a time, and keep the lawn no shorter than about 4cm while it establishes. Once the lawn is mowed a few times, it can return to normal use.

Key Features and Benefits

• Fast-establishing grass seed blend for high traffic areas
• Ryegrass, couch and fescue for quick cover and lasting wear
• Deep green colour once mature
• Ideal for overseeding and lawn repair
• Suits new lawns on small, prepared areas
• Best in full sun
• Low maintenance once established
• 750g box sows about 25m²

Product Details

• Brand: Searles
• Product: Strong & Hardy Lawn Seed
• Blend: 45% perennial ryegrass, 30% annual ryegrass, 10% hulled couch, 5% unhulled couch, 5% creeping red fescue, 5% turf type fescue
• Pack size: 750g
• Coverage: About 25m² (750g per 25m²)
• Best position: Full sun, high traffic areas
• Best sowing time: Autumn or spring

Frequently Asked Questions

What is in Searles Strong & Hardy Lawn Seed?

The blend contains 45% perennial ryegrass, 30% annual ryegrass, 10% hulled couch, 5% unhulled couch, 5% creeping red fescue and 5% turf type fescue.

How much area does Searles Strong & Hardy Lawn Seed cover?

One 750g box sows about 25m² at the recommended lawn rate. For overseeding thin areas, you may need less than a full new-lawn rate.

What is the best grass seed for overseeding?

For overseeding, choose a blend with a high share of ryegrass, as it germinates quickly and fills thin areas before weeds take hold. Match the other grasses in the blend to your existing lawn and sun conditions.

What is the best lawn seed for high traffic areas?

A blend of ryegrass and couch is a good choice for high traffic lawns in full sun. Ryegrass gives fast cover, while couch spreads by runners and recovers well from wear.

What grass seed is best for full sun?

Warm-season grasses like couch suit full sun and Australian summers, and blends that mix couch with ryegrass give quicker cover while the couch establishes.

Is it suitable for shaded areas?

Searles recommends this blend for full sun. In shady spots, a lawn seed blended for shade or part shade will give better results.

How long does lawn seed take to grow?

Ryegrass usually sprouts within about a week in good conditions, while couch needs warm soil and can take two weeks or more. Most new lawns are ready for their first mow at around 10cm height.

Where can I buy Searles Strong & Hardy Lawn Seed 750g in Australia?

Searles Strong & Hardy Lawn Seed 750g is available from Bonnyrigg Produce & Garden Supplies at 462 Elizabeth Dr, Bonnyrigg NSW 2177, Australia. You can visit our store or order online with delivery across Australia.