Would you sow outdoor seeds in dry sunny weather or wait until the rain comes?

Guernsey Donkey2

I think I know the answer but would like to hear your views.  We have three patches to sow with seed.  One is grass seed on a large repair in the lawn, and other two are wild flower seeds all on prepared patches.  Assuming the temperature stays at around 10 - 14 degrees over the next week or two, would you sow the seed when the weather is warm, sunny and dry or wait for wetter weather?  I am just thinking of the daily hose watering we will have to do if the weather stays warm and dry, compared with the perhaps windy, damp weather that may occur next week or even longer.  The lawn repair.One of the wild flower areas - I have already planted some home grown plugs over the past few months.  Our local forecast says there will be no rain for at least 7 days.

Dovefromabove

I’d probably wait until the sixth day and then sow 

Nollie

I have been waiting three months for rain so I can mulch my borders. I have given up and spent the last week watering the beds every night to get enough moisture into the ground so I can mulch. I’m fed up staring at the builders bag of mulch sitting in the middle of the garden. So if you think you are going to get rain soon, wait, but if not, water and sow!

Hampshire_Hog

I personally would do it in the dry, just before rain was forecast if possible but if not damp the area down then sow, rake in and if no rain forecast give it another gentle watering to settle the seed in then just keep it moist until established. and pray for a little rain. ☔

Fairygirl

I'd wait till the ground's damp for the grass seed. Much easier.
You'd have to water at some point anyway, if you don't get some regular rain, and it depends on the temps as to how quickly it germinates. It could take a few weeks.

For the plugs, you'd be watering a little as you put each one in, so it probably doesn't matter quite so much. If you do them in a few days time, they should be fine until the rain comes, if it's due within the week. 

nutcutlet

I am sowing and watering. There's no rain forecast as far as the eye can see and the longer I wait the more like it is to get too hot

Guernsey Donkey2

You have all made fair and valid points and I can see that even up to Sunday there is no rain forecast - so I will bite the bullet and get a move on with the sowing.  I did water the plug plants once or twice, although as I planted most of them before this predicted dry weather they have had a good few rain showers on them and all are looking very healthy.  If it is this dry in March, I just hope we don't have such a hot, dry summer as last year.

BobFlannigon

The ground is probably still pretty wet below the surface so I'd get sowing and just sprinkle a little water on them just to get the seeds germinating.