Is it ok to sow grass seed now?

cyclonebri1

Derky wrote: »

Grass seed does not need light to germinate only the three things I listed above. October is a good month for grass seed but if you were a little grass plant when would you prefer to germinate in October when the winter is coming or April as the spring and summer are due to arrive?

Ok, but it needs light to then thrive or even survive. Not much point it germinating then failing, hence my comment.

"If I were a little grass plant........."

I would chose to be born in autumn when I can get my roots into the ground even though it's slow grow till spring.

The chances of survival are greater than in spring when the risk of drying out and the dependancy for survival down to the OP with the hose pipe.

Anyway the OP can do it either way, and everyone has there own preference;);)

mansars

I havent read al the replies, however, it would do no harm to spread some seed now but would say the best time is Late Fe through to early april depending on your location.

a better use of your time would be to prepare the ground for the seed.

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

Of course it is, but given that this is a money saving site, go wash your mouth out, ;););):money::money::money::D:D

The money saving thing to do would be to approach your local council/golfcourse/sports ground to see when if they are going to re lay areas of grass....and if you can help with the removeal of the old sods in exchange for them.

Years ago when I was groundsman I relaid a members lawn with the rolls we had taken up.

cyclonebri1

mansars wrote: »

The money saving thing to do would be to approach your local council/golfcourse/sports ground to see when if they are going to re lay areas of grass....and if you can help with the removeal of the old sods in exchange for them.

Years ago when I was groundsman I relaid a members lawn with the rolls we had taken up.

Yeah, that sounds like a typical council operation:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:, only joking, it is actually a good tip, but not easy to time right I guess unless you know someone involved.

mansars

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

Yeah, that sounds like a typical council operation:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:, only joking, it is actually a good tip, but not easy to time right I guess unless you know someone involved.

Very true..but if you dont ask.....

Derky_2

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

Ok, but it needs light to then thrive or even survive. Not much point it germinating then failing, hence my comment.

"If I were a little grass plant........."

I would chose to be born in autumn when I can get my roots into the ground even though it's slow grow till spring.

The chances of survival are greater than in spring when the risk of drying out and the dependancy for survival down to the OP with the hose pipe.

Anyway the OP can do it either way, and everyone has there own preference;);)

So, if Autumn is better than spring, why is 99% of the seed sowing done in the spring?


The chances of survival are much better in the spring because light levels are increasing, temperature is increasing and there is moisture in the ground.


Many plants have a built in dormancy mechanism given to them by mother nature to prevent them from germinating in the Autumn because of the very high failure rate.


The OP can do it either way I'm trying to recommend the method which will prove most successful and in turn reduce cost. ;)

cyclonebri1

Derky wrote: »

So, if Autumn is better than spring, why is 99% of the seed sowing done in the spring?


The chances of survival are much better in the spring because light levels are increasing, temperature is increasing and there is moisture in the ground.


Many plants have a built in dormancy mechanism given to them by mother nature to prevent them from germinating in the Autumn because of the very high failure rate.


The OP can do it either way I'm trying to recommend the method which will prove most successful and in turn reduce cost. ;)

It isn't..

And so am I, if you can't accept alternative views then do the other

As in here, from the RHS website;
When to sow a new lawn Back to top

"Seed germinates most readily in early autumn and mid-spring. The soil is warm, there is plenty of moisture and the weather is neither too cold nor too hot. Germination should take between seven and 10 days and seedlings will become established before the first severe frosts in late autumn or before hot, dry summer weather arrives."


Or maybe they are wrong too?

tangojulie

I'm surprised that no-one has mentioned pre-germinating the seed. I got this tip from a lecturer at Sparsholt agricultural College.

Get a bin bag and fill with slightly damp compost. Add a couple of handfuls of grass seed. Close and leave to germinate, will take a few days. When you can see it has germinated, spread it on the pre-prepared lawn and brush it in. This works because apparently at a certain stage in its development the roots and shoots are protected by a fine sheath, or so I think I was told. In any case, it works a treat.

The advantages are that you can keep it in a warm(ish) place to germinate, you can see what sort of germination you get so you know how thickly/thinly to spread it, you get to top dress your lawn at the same time, the seed gets off to a flying start, it doesn't get eaten by birds and perhaps most importantly in your case you don't have to worry about the dogs picking up grass seed on their pads and getting problems with it working its way into their skin.

Derky_2

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

It isn't..

And so am I, if you can't accept alternative views then do the other

As in here, from the RHS website;
When to sow a new lawn Back to top

"Seed germinates most readily in early autumn and mid-spring. The soil is warm, there is plenty of moisture and the weather is neither too cold nor too hot. Germination should take between seven and 10 days and seedlings will become established before the first severe frosts in late autumn or before hot, dry summer weather arrives."


Or maybe they are wrong too?

The RHS also say,

"This is definitely your last chance to sow grass seed in mild areas of the UK. Cover newly sown areas with clear polythene to protect them from cold or fierce rain, if these are forecast in your area. Light to moderate rain will aid germination."

Having worked for the RHS as an advisor I would not agree with the advice you are quoting from them as being appropriate to the request in this thread.