Lawn Help

detsnpowder

Just dug the lawn up by turning it over with spade. Last year about killed it off . Any tips on next years if I seed it . Preparations  etc and times to sow ? Sandy soil. steady slope.

Fairygirl

It'll need the usual raking to get rid of any larger stones etc, then firming, then raking again lightly to get a nice tilth ready for sowing @detsnpowder. 
When you sow will depend on weather and temps. In warm areas, that could be as early as March, later in colder, wetter locations. Try and avoid frosty conditions too. 
The seed should be in good contact with the soil, and it's always good to sow one way, then do it at 90 degrees to that, so that you get an even broadcast. You'll then just need to cross your fingers and hope you get enough warmth and moisture to get it germinated and growing. If you get a lot of dry weather after sowing [bearing in mind the soil's sandy] it may drain a bit quickly, so you might have to water to ensure that germination and steady growth. 
A good tip is to add a general feed to the soil a few weeks before sowing too. If you don't get problems with foxes/badgers visiting, that can be something like Blood Fish & Bone.
You may need to protect it if you get cats coming in and using it as a toilet. Some fine netting, carefully placed, and up off the ground, is ideal. I used canes and just kept it about 6 inches off the site, until it was well enough germinated. That meant small birds could still get in underneath it to pick at various insects etc, but were in no danger of being caught up in the net in any way. It was low enough to prevent anything bigger getting in. 

rossdriscoll13

@detsnpowder @Fairygirl has given you some good advice however instead of using netting to cover the sown seed use horticultural fleece.  This will do two things. 1. Protect the area from cats and birds and 2. Help the seed germinate by holding in the warmth.  I would also recommend going on Youtube to watch a video on how to sow a new lawn.  Someone I highly recommend on there is Daniel Hibbert Lawn Expert.  If you sow in the spring you will need to water twice a day.  Once in the morning, and then again in the evening.

Fairygirl

That's a good point re the fleece @rossdriscoll13. It does depend on location and climate too though.
I made the lawn here [which I've now removed] in June 2014, I think. It was never watered, because it isn't necessary here 

1sthomegarden

Could be worth rotovating/tilling the soil before seeding to break it down and flatten it out. Then seed at around 40g per m2 along with some pre seed fertiliser or some phosphorous organic matter.

Fairygirl

It's January @relentlessgardener. Bit difficult to get seed germinated....
and rotovating....

1sthomegarden

Yes very true @Fairygirl, should have said wait until the temp is above 10 degrees before doing anything 😊

detsnpowder

I seeded it last week and then saw pigeons pecking at the seed and disturbing the soil so I dont know if Ive done right but I sieved some soil over the seed lightly. My soil being rather sandy I am not sure if I should keep it wet with a sprinkling of water as soon as it looks dry. Any advice ?

detsnpowder

Ended up weeding it , got rid of sods of turf out then seeded it. Seeding again in the bald spots.