Conventional Seeding Contractors UK
Specialist conventional seeding for housing, highways, land reclamation and amenity projects across the UK
CDTS North & West provides conventional seeding for housing, highways, parks, amenity and land restoration projects across the UK. Using drill seeding, broadcast seeding and specialist seedbed preparation equipment, we take accessible sites from rough ground to established vegetation with accurate seed placement, efficient coverage and a finish that matches the project specification.
Where Conventional Seeding Fits On Your Project
Our Conventional Seeding Process
What Conventional Seeding Delivers on Site
Conventional seeding establishes uniform vegetation through mechanical cultivation and precision drilling or broadcast application. When ground conditions allow tractor access, this method delivers reliable germination at the lowest material cost—no mulch, no additives, just seed placed at the correct depth in properly prepared soil.
Budget Efficiency
Conventional seeding uses fewer imported materials than hydroseeding—no mulch or tackifiers required. For accessible sites with stable soils, this makes it the most cost-effective vegetation method. Material costs are predictable and waste is minimal when drilling at controlled rates.
Precision Establishment
Drill seeding places seed at the correct depth with accurate spacing, maximising germination rates and producing uniform coverage. Our Blec Turfmaker drills leave a clean finish that meets amenity and landscape specifications without patchy results or over-seeding.
Programme Integration
Tractor-mounted equipment covers large areas quickly—several hectares in a day when conditions allow. For projects where seeding follows topsoil spreading or final grading, conventional methods slot into the earthworks programme without specialist mobilisation delays.
Where Conventional Seeding Fits on Your Project
Conventional seeding is the default method for accessible sites where ground can be cultivated and tractor access is feasible. It's the proven solution for projects requiring cost-efficient vegetation across large flat or gently sloping areas, where soil conditions support mechanical preparation.
Whether you're establishing amenity grassland on a housing development in the North West, reinstating highway verges after topsoil placement across England and Wales, or vegetating land restoration sites with stable substrates, conventional seeding delivers consistent results at predictable cost.
Amenity grassland, community parks and landscaped areas on level ground
Topsoiled verges, central reservations and embankment tops where tractor access allows
Landfill caps, quarry floors and brownfield restoration where large areas need rapid coverage
Playing pitches, parks and public realm requiring uniform establishment to specification
We have collaborated for many years with CDTS on a whole range of seeding projects covering conventional seeding, hydroseeding and wildflower seeding for BNG enhancement. Extremely professional with highly experienced and qualified teams. Great communication, flexible and reactive service!
Paul Hadley
November 2025
We engaged with CDTS for the hydroseeding across 4000 square metres of banks at a project in Blyth for Stainforth Construction. The team responded quickly and communication was good. Despite a small machinery hiccup, the hydroseeding was completed on time in just one day. Good service, good communication throughout, and completed professionally, on time. Seeds are just starting to germinate, we will update progress when we return to site.
J Paxman Landscapes
February 2026
I’ve used CDTS Seeding for many years, using both amenity and bespoke wildflower seed mixes across hydroseeding and conventional seeding projects. Their attention to detail and genuine desire to create the best possible finish really sets them apart.
Professional, reliable, and consistently excellent. Highly recommended for anyone needing quality seeding work.
Ant Brown
November 2025
Why Choose CDTS for Your Project?
Conventional seeding fails when the seedbed isn’t right, levels are rushed, or the method doesn’t match the soil and site use. That creates patchy germination, weeds dominating, and expensive rework. CDTS North & West reduces that risk through site-specific specification, the correct cultivation and drilling equipment, and teams who deliver the finish you need.
Full cultivation & drilling fleet
We operate tractors with power harrows, rotovators, stone buriers, grader bars and Blec Turfmaker drills—plus pedestrian equipment for edges and restricted areas.
10 million m² seeded
Our team has delivered conventional and hydroseeding across motorways, A-roads, landfills, quarries, wind farms and major housing developments throughout England, Wales and Scotland for over 3 decades.
30+ years experience
CDTS North & West holds CHAS accreditation and carries £5 million public liability and £10 million employers liability insurance. Full RAMS provided for every project.
Our Conventional Seeding Process
01
Site appraisal & specification
We assess soil conditions, stone content, weed pressure and access, then agree seed mixes, cultivation methods and application rates with your team.
02
Ground preparation
Existing vegetation is removed or incorporated. Compacted ground is broken up using rotovators or power harrows to the required depth, typically 100–150mm.
03
Seedbed formation
Stone burying, grading and fine harrowing create a level, stone-free tilth with good structure for seed establishment. Fertiliser is incorporated if specified.
04
Seeding
Seed is drilled using Blec Turfmaker units for precision placement, or broadcast and harrowed in for large open areas. Application rates match the specification exactly.
05
Consolidation
Light rolling with flat or Cambridge rollers firms the seedbed around the seed, improving moisture contact and germination rates, particularly in dry conditions.
Murphy Construction New Head Office, Goldborne
Conventional and wildflower seeding across 10,000 m² for new office development.
Ground Control | Goldborne, Manchester | 2025
FCC Welbeck Landfill Site
60,000 m² seeded under tight deadline. Full grass establishment achieved before winter, controlling soil wash-off across landfill site.
FCC Environmental | Normanton, West Yorkshire | 2025
Machynlleth Bridge, Mid Wales
1km of conventional seeding alongside hydroseeding and wildflower works on environmentally sensitive highway scheme. Ongoing maintenance contract in place.
Alun Griffiths | Machynlleth, Wales | 2025
Carden Park Private Estate
1,000 m² conventional seeding on stony, contaminated soil. Rapid establishment despite challenging substrate.
Private Client | Cheshire, North West | 2025
Cheshire Green Industrial Estate
10,000 m² conventional seeding on waterlogged site for new industrial estate development. Ongoing works including 6,000 plant installations.
Jones Bros Civil Engineering | Cheshire, North West | 2025
Recent Conventional Seeding Projects
Frequently Asked Conventional Seeding Questions
What is conventional seeding?
Conventional seeding is the mechanical application of dry seed into cultivated soil using specialist equipment such as seed drills, broadcast spreaders and power harrows. Unlike hydroseeding, it does not use a water-based slurry or mulch layer. It is the most established method of vegetation establishment on construction and landscaping projects and remains the most cost-effective option where site conditions allow.
When should I choose conventional seeding over hydroseeding?
Conventional seeding is typically the right choice on flat to gently sloping ground (gradients of around 6:1 or gentler) where machinery can access the site and soil can be properly cultivated. It works well on freshly topsoiled areas, amenity grassland, playing fields, housing development open space, road verges on level ground, and large-scale reclamation sites. For steeper slopes, poor-access sites, or projects where rapid erosion control is critical, hydroseeding is usually more appropriate. On mixed sites, we often combine both methods — drill-seeding accessible flat areas for cost efficiency while hydroseeding the slopes — all delivered by one contractor.
What equipment does CDTS North & West use for conventional seeding?
We operate a full range of specialist soil preparation and seeding equipment, including Aebi Terratrac slope tractors, Blec Turfmaker precision seed drills (tractor-mounted and pedestrian), power harrows, rotovators, stone buriers, Harley power rakes, grader bars, fixed-tine harrows, seed spinners and Cambridge rollers. For confined or awkward areas, we use pedestrian tractors fitted with compact cultivation attachments. This range allows us to handle everything from fine-tilth amenity seedbeds to large-scale earthworks restoration.
What is the best time of year for conventional seeding?
The primary seeding windows are spring (March–May) and autumn (September–October), when soil temperatures and moisture levels support reliable germination. Autumn seeding often benefits from natural rainfall and reduced weed competition. We can advise on the best timing for your specific seed mix and location — wildflower mixes, for example, are often best sown in autumn to allow cold stratification over winter.
Can CDTS North & West carry out conventional seeding anywhere in the UK?
Yes. We are based in Malpas, Cheshire but operate nationwide from the North West through to Scotland, across Yorkshire, the Midlands, Wales and the South. Our fleet includes towing vehicles, trailers and self-contained equipment rigs that allow us to mobilise to any site. For large or multi-site programmes, we regularly deploy across England, Wales and Scotland.
Discuss Your Project
Not sure if conventional seeding is right for your site conditions? Our technical team can assess your project requirements, confirm the most appropriate seeding method, and provide a detailed specification and quote.