when to 'plant' grass seed on bad lawn...?

bloomin_freezing

Can i first please stress the fact that hubby and i are not gardeners or green fingered in anyway whatsoever! We had a lawn laid 2 summers ago which is now very patchy. Last summer we threw grass seed down and watered the garden every night (as we did when the lawn was originally laid), think we added some kind of miracle grow too? When is the best time of year for us to try and fill in these patches that are pretty huge? and what is the best process, i'm sure we should've done more than just scatter the seeds?? we have an 18mth old daughter who i would like to be able to enjoy our small garden this summer.

any advice would be gratefully received!

tight_jock

Hi BF

first take a rake to the area and loosen and level the area. Spread the seed evenly all over the patch and set up some cotton threads over it to keep the birds off. water regularly so seed stays moist but not soaking.
Spring or autumn are the best times to sow grass seed traditionally. I would give it another couple of weeks to see how the weather is and plant in march.
Best of luck
:beer:
TJ

bloomin_freezing

Thanks ever so much tight jock!

i'll get stocked up with some grass seed at the end of the month and try my best. i must admit it looks a right mess out there!

tight_jock

Don`t put it down too thickly and keep a bit back in case it does not all take first time.
Dont cut it till it`s nice and thick even if this means dodging round the patches . Make sure your mower blades are nice and sharp so that it cuts and doesn`t tear the new growth.

Happy gardening BF

navig8r

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=378360

Dave

Fizog

Yep the spring. I rake my patchy lawn and scatter a lightly, makes me feel very rural! I also transplant grass from my flower beds which grows annoyingly all year round in clumps and seems tougher. Just dig up and bed in and water.

computerwoman

I got some grass seeds last year from tesco.com around £2 a box, the grass grows lush green colour.

Lord_Gardener

Remember to give your new grass a light roll when it's about 2" long to help 'fix' the roots and promote tillering (shooting form base of plant). If it is a small lawn which will get alot of use, a rye grass mix will be best for you!

LJM

we got alot of grass seed from morrisons last year too think it were £1.99 a box we need some more as ive kind of walked a muddy gap under my washing line hubby not to impressed

KatrinaC_2

LJM wrote:

we got alot of grass seed from morrisons last year too think it were £1.99 a box we need some more as ive kind of walked a muddy gap under my washing line hubby not to impressed

Try putting down flagstones or some sort of pathway under the washing line as everytime you re-sow the grass you'll just end up with the same thing happening again. I've put second-hand slabs down under an archway I've put up as this gets a lot of traffic underneath in a very narrow area.

Kat

Dustykitten

I too have a very patchy lawn this year. I scarified it twice last year and I think this has contributed to the problem with drought and 3 boys. I also have a big moss problem. I killed it all with lawn sand and then raked it out last year but the seed I sowed never took and the the moss is back with a vengence. Worst side is shaded by neighbours house so can't do much about that. I know not to scalp it and feed it regularly what else can I do?

Thanks Dusty