[Sally A]

We planted a lawn from seed last month, it's coming on nicely albeit a bit patchy.

Regarding the first cut,we have been given conflicting advice.

Is it best to roll it, or strim it to get it to thicken?

Am a bit loathe to use the petrol mower on it as I reckon it would just rip the whole lot out.

[muntjac]

being this late in the eason i would leave it completly alone now its not going to grow so much if the temperature drops as it should , in the new year id take a flymo preferably a hover and just have it on its highest setting to just take the top off . the normal mover with a cylinder type blade will also be on the same setting and do just a good a job.then look to sow any bare patches with a mix of compost and seed rake the ground before hand to break it up slightly and then sow ,protect with baco foil lines across them

[richyrich7]

Good advice as usual Muntjac,

Sally A rolling will not thicken a lawn, cutting does just like pinching the tips out on a plant you need to bush.

[Sally A]

I'll tell OH you all said to get the scissors out.

[richyrich7]

I'll tell OH you all said to get the scissors out.

Only if He's been a bad lad  

[WG.]

I'll tell OH you all said to get the scissors out.

eyebrow tweezers, tell him  

[mkhenry]

Good advice as usual Muntjac,

Sally A rolling will not thicken a lawn, cutting does just like pinching the tips out on a plant you need to bush.

I just know that I am going to get it in the neck for saying this but here goes anyway.

Grass should be rolled to thicken it. the best time to sow a new lawn is in late summer or early spring so as it was mild you are ok for time.
This process is called "Tillering" This is the same as pinching out the tips of a plant to make it bud at its base.
You should roll it once it gets about 2" tall then cut it after a month.The first cut should be at the highest you lawnmower will allow.This will give you a lush lawn.Remember it takes about 6 months for the lawn to fill out completly,before then it will look a bit sparce.Worry not it will fill out.

This advice was first given by none other than Mr Geof Hamilton in one of his excellent books and many times on his TV programmes

Now I must sit back and await my fate.

[richyrich7]

Now I must sit back and await my fate.

Whys that then MKH ?

I have no problems with people disagreeing with what I write, at least you have the good manners to be polite, and like I say no knows everything

Must admit I was never told that rolling thickens a lawn, I was taught that it was the actual cutting that makes it thicken apical dominance and all that.
I'll have to go check my notes  

But then if Mr G H has said it must be right

[mkhenry]

Now I must sit back and await my fate.

Whys that then MKH ?

I have no problems with people disagreeing with what I write, at least you have the good manners to be polite, and like I say no knows everything

Must admit I was never told that rolling thickens a lawn, I was taught that it was the actual cutting that makes it thicken apical dominance and all that.
I'll have to go check my notes  
But then if Mr G H has said it must be right

A gentleman is what you are. Its just that I do not like disageeing with people who know what they are talking about and you always do.

However you know that I always check and then double check my facts,(So that I do not make mistakes like the other day.)and this one I am certain of.
After planting rolling at the right time does thicken grass and causes it to grow from the stems beneath the ground.
If you look on the seed packet I am almost certain it will advise rolling after planting etc.It really is good practise.
Also the late great Geoff says so in his book Gardeners World.Practical Gardening Course. on page.165.
I have just found it.It took a lot of looking :?

[Trillium]

Over here lawns are rolled strictly to flatten out bumps from winter heaving. Otherwise, rolling is frowned on as the weight tends to crush the roots and eventually kill the grass plants. G.H. usually gave very good advice but I truly disagree with this bit. If you want to thicken, then trim the plant by cutting - with W.G's tweezers if you're that much in the dog house    

[Bigbadfrankie]

I'll tell OH you all said to get the scissors out.

and the ruler

[mkhenry]

Over here lawns are rolled strictly to flatten out bumps from winter heaving. Otherwise, rolling is frowned on as the weight tends to crush the roots and eventually kill the grass plants. G.H. usually gave very good advice but I truly disagree with this bit. If you want to thicken, then trim the plant by cutting - with W.G's tweezers if you're that much in the dog house    

Thats strange because I have just checked a packet of seed that recommends rolling.The strange bit is its Canadian Seed.

[mkhenry]

Over here lawns are rolled strictly to flatten out bumps from winter heaving. Otherwise, rolling is frowned on as the weight tends to crush the roots and eventually kill the grass plants. G.H. usually gave very good advice but I truly disagree with this bit. If you want to thicken, then trim the plant by cutting - with W.G's tweezers if you're that much in the dog house    

For 100s of years the Brits have rolled their lawns.
Look at Lords etc.You can not tell me that they are doing the wrong thing    

[Trillium]

When brand new seed is dropped onto the ground, it's recommend that you roll it to get the seed to stick into the dirt so it doesn't blow away. After that, forget the roller, you'll only crush fragile roots. Can't say I'd fancy a  50 lb roller passing over my head - I'd lose what few threads I had  

[Sally A]

Hmmm, so both answers could be correct.

Nothing on the seed packet as we bought a 25kg sack, must admit a high set cut makes more sense to me than a roll.

It is a couple of inches tall now so may go for a high strim.