Sowing grass seed in bald patches in lawn

Fash

Hi all - I put feed and weed down in my garden and I now find I have hardly any grass left as the lawn must have been mostly weeds (I'm not very experienced with gardens as you've no doubt gathered).

I was wondering if someone could tell me how to put grass seed down without having to dig up the whole lawn. There is some grass there so all I really need to do is fill in the bald patches. I'm just not sure how to go about it.

Any advice would be gratefully received.
Many thanks as always.
Regards
Fash

gazza975526570

Ive always just given the soil a little rake over, throw some seed down and walk on it to firm it in, water it and just make sure it doesnt dry out.

Fash

Thanks Gazza - that's sounds like something even I could manage! Appreciate your help.
Regards
Fash

Primrose

If you can afford to buy a couple of bags of cheap compost, it might help to scatter it lightly over the seed. If we have windy weather it will stop it blowing away and also protect it from hungry birds. Grass seed is surprisingly hardy but to give your new lawn a good start it will help if the surface is well raked. If the soil is compacted it will make it much more difficult for the seed to put down roots and get going.

tanith

I did this last year to a few patches.. I got my garden fork and drove into the ground over the bare patches , making numerous holes and disturbing the soil and watered it well sprinkled on grass seed fairly generously and covered with some compost.. trod it down firmly and then put a wire shelf I had from the old BBQ over it till the grass grew to about 2ins, then I cut the grass with scissors :rotfl: for the first few cuts until the roots took hold then just moved the wire and cut with the rest of the lawn... this year I just looked and NO PATCHES:T oh keep it well watered by the way..

elsien

I've just found some thin agricultural fleece type stuff in poundland which I've put over the grass seed to stop the birds from getting at it, which seems to be working so far.

Fash

Thank you all so much for your advice - I feel so confident now that I'm going to do it tomorrow. I'll let you know how I get on.
Thanks again!
Regards
Fash

Jony

yup just water it plenty if it doesnt rain, when you say you have no grass left are you sure the W&F didnt just burn the lawn? as it does if you dont water it in very well

Gardenia101_2

gazza975526570 wrote: »

Ive always just given the soil a little rake over, throw some seed down and walk on it to firm it in, water it and just make sure it doesnt dry out.

Spot on, in my opinion. Anything else is overkill except for "show" lawns.

Not really a money saving tip, but sometimes I cheat by using a roll or two of turf when I need an instant effect. It can be mowed over from day one and is virtually undetectable in a month.

Ray

SKIPPY54

It sounds very much like burning due to lack of water.
To get new seed to grow quick start it off by mixing some sharp sand and compost with the seed,add a touch of water and leave in an old compost bag a few days untill it sprouts,rough over your bare patches with a fork and sprinkle on the newly sprouted grass keep it moist and dont walk on it untill its established.

Gardenia101_2

An interesting idea, Skippy. I'm going to try it.

My border collie, Poppy, and myself have different approaches to lawn treatment,:rolleyes:, so I have plenty of bare patches to practice on!

Ray