Seed is cheap and can be stored until the weather is right, but you have to wait longer before you can use a sown lawn. Sowing is best done when the soil is warm and moist, with a few months ahead of good growing conditions.

Turf is expensive and hard work to lay well, but stops the weeds growing and produces an instant effect. The lawn can be used quite quickly afterwards too. Turfing is best done when the soil is warm and moist, with wet weather forecast. Turfing before a drought and subsequent hosepipe ban is not a good idea; timing is all.