Conventional Seeding
SEEDING SPECIALISTS
Specialist conventional seeding for housing, highways, land reclamation and amenity projects
For more than 30 years we've delivered large-scale conventional seeding across the UK, from housing development open spaces to highway verges, landfill caps and sports facilities. Our fleet of tractors with Blec Turfmaker drills, power harrows, rotovators and stone buriers lets us take sites from rough ground to established vegetation efficiently, even on challenging substrates.
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, reinstating highway verges after topsoil placement, or vegetating land restoration sites with stable substrates, conventional seeding delivers consistent results at predictable cost.
Housing developments & public open space
Amenity grassland, community parks and landscaped areas on level ground
Highway verges & road schemes
Topsoiled verges, central reservations and embankment tops where tractor access allows
Land reclamation sites
Landfill caps, quarry floors and brownfield restoration where large areas need rapid coverage
Sports fields & amenity grassland
Playing pitches, parks and public realm requiring uniform establishment to specification
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 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 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.
How Our Conventional Seeding Process Works
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 | Housing Development | 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 | Land Reclamation | 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 | Highways Infrastructure | 2025
Carden Park Private Estate
1,000 m² conventional seeding on stony, contaminated soil. Rapid establishment despite challenging substrate.
Private Client | Residential | 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 | Infrastructure | 2025
Recent Conventional Seeding Projects
Discuss Your Project With Our Team
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.