Overseedinh

Mani Gill

Hi, 

I seem to have a constant problem with getting the grass seeds I plant to germinate.  I have tried a few different varieties  from Rolawn to Wilko's and none have ever germinated.

I have scarified the garden and will overseed again today and then water daily.  I have bought some top soil from B&Qas well Which I will rake in over the seed.  

Is there anything else that I need to do? 

Thank you

Last edited: 01 April 2017 09:13:09

Fairygirl

Hi Mani - when you've put the seed down (I'd put some of the topsoil down first and sow on top) gently tamp it down by walking on it, as the seed needs some decent contact with the soil to germinate well. 

Give it one good soaking rather than watering daily, then do it according to the weather. If you've done it a bit too early or too late in the year, you might be watering enough to rot the seed rather than encouraging it to germinate. This is a good time of year though, as temps are rising generally. 

I'm assuming there isn't any other reason for the seed to fail, like waterlogging  or poor, compacted ground etc. 

Mani Gill

Fairygirl says:

Hi Mani - when you've put the seed down (I'd put some of the topsoil down first and sow on top) gently tamp it down by walking on it, as the seed needs some decent contact with the soil to germinate well. 

Give it one good soaking rather than watering daily, then do it according to the weather. If you've done it a bit too early or too late in the year, you might be watering enough to rot the seed rather than encouraging it to germinate. This is a good time of year though, as temps are rising generally. 

I'm assuming there isn't any other reason for the seed to fail, like waterlogging  or poor, compacted ground etc. 

See original post

 Thank you, I'll put the top soil down first, I've not bought much as I did not want to go overboard covering the lawn with it.  As you can see the scarifying has not really left much lawn, more bare patches than grass ?

Fairygirl

It alwasy looks a bit rubbish when you do that doesn't it? 

You won't need much soil - just a little scattering to provide the seed with something to get into. 

Good luck - and come back on the forum if you still have any problems, and you'll get a few more suggestions. Sometimes there are other factors, so more info might be needed  

Mani Gill

Fairygirl says:

It alwasy looks a bit rubbish when you do that doesn't it? 

You won't need much soil - just a little scattering to provide the seed with something to get into. 

Good luck - and come back on the forum if you still have any problems, and you'll get a few more suggestions. Sometimes there are other factors, so more info might be needed  

See original post

 Thank you 

Mani Gill

Hi, I've just aerate, top soiled and over seeded.  I did not enough topsoil to cover all of the garden, so seed has just need placed in areas where you can see bare soil left from scarifying.

would I need to buy some more top soil or would it be okay to leave the seed as it is? 

I've watered and left it now ?

Fairygirl

If you have some compost, or even some sieved garden soil, that you can sprinkle over to give a very fine covering, that would do. To be honest - unless the birds are hungry and nicking the seed - it doesn't even need covered most of the time.

As long as the seed has contact with some soil below, it'll be fine. If it's not germinating in two or three weeks, and you still have some bare patches, just do the same thing again. Grass needs a reasonable tmeperature to germinate as well as a bit of moisture. 

Fingers crossed here for you too  

Mani Gill

Fairygirl says:

If you have some compost, or even some sieved garden soil, that you can sprinkle over to give a very fine covering, that would do. To be honest - unless the birds are hungry and nicking the seed - it doesn't even need covered most of the time.

As long as the seed has contact with some soil below, it'll be fine. If it's not germinating in two or three weeks, and you still have some bare patches, just do the same thing again. Grass needs a reasonable tmeperature to germinate as well as a bit of moisture. 

Fingers crossed here for you too  

See original post

 Thank you