Some advice for my recently seeded lawn please
Tom78
Posts: 23
Hi everyone!.
My first post on the forum! I've had a good read of some previous posts which have been v handy but I had a couple of questions re my new seeded lawn I've not been able to find answers to.
I sowed it on the 28th April. Prior to this the area was covered in concrete so it was damn hard work breaking it all out and losing all the rubble! I rotivated and added about 3-4 inches of fairly decent top soil albeit had more clay lumps in it than I would have wanted.
Anyway, after 12 days my wilko grass seed began to germinate- I felt like a proud parent ha! 
On the far right side of the garden I've used the shady mix as this area gets v little sun so although it has germinated it's been much slower.
The grass has grown a lot in a week. It's quite patchy though and some areas look like the seed won't germinate. Today I carefully walked on the lawn and added extra seed to these bits. The ground didn't feel v firm but it did rain last night. I only compacted it the once though so hopefully it'll firm up ok!
In a couple of areas water pools when it rains. Is this a case of more top soil needed to bring the level up a little?
I've read on the RHS website I should re tread the area in the absence of a roller. When should I do this?
Please excuse the terrible condition of the rest of the lawn- my two dogs have done a good job of killing it off with their wee grrr- will be patched in due course. The bare strip at the front will be covered by on r upcoming ground floor kitchen extension.
Many thanks advance for any help! 
Last edited: 18 May 2017 17:17:18
Posts
The treading-on should have been done before the seed was sewn so too late now. If you have low spots then the seed will gather in these when it rains. Some will take but some won't and of course where it has moved from there will be no growth. As for the shady areas despite what the products tell you this will always be a struggle in my experience. Additionally you get moss etc which competes with the grass. I would think about just making these difficult areas a planting bed and choose some shade tolerant plants.
I would be tempted to let the grass carry on doing its thing for now then give it a gentle roll in a few weeks time and think about filling any low spots or depression and seeding those in the later summer / early autumn.
Thank you for you're reply Dave.
I did tread it before seeding and then v lightly raked- I read after it was done though that perhaps I should have trod it again but hey ho. I think by this stage I was a bit hasty perhaps as all the previous bits had been blooming hard work! It was hard getting it totally level mind you.
That's interesting re the shady part-time that strip was heavily covered in weeds so at least I know they coped there! If no joy I'll have to change it back to a flower bed so not the end of the world I guess.
When would you suggest I mow it? Would you roll it first?
Last edited: 18 May 2017 17:38:50
Don't want to disillusion you, but if you're having building work done, you'd have been better leaving the grass till after it's finished....
I'd agree with Dave though - you may have to repair the areas which haven't been firmed enough, it's too late to really alter that much, so filling in any dips later when it all settles would be the best way to go.
You can use seed for shade, and it often works reasonably well, but be prepared to work quite hard if you want it to look decent, and that might be difficult if you have dogs going on it. Whatever grass seed you use, use it on the whole garden, not just one area, so that it blends. It won't look right otherwise as you'll have different areas of 'green'.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I'd give it a chance to get established before rolling it Tom. As for cutting then I'd wait till it got to about 2 or 3" but just take a small amount off, no more than a third at most. You can do the same a week later or so. I would keep it on the longer side especially through the dry summer months and while the grass has a chance to get going. If your mower has a roller on that will also help.
As you say, after all the hard work you want to get going but it does take some time and unfortunately some patience lol.
Thank you fairygirl
I know the builders will likely mess it all up however there is quite a good sized patio around the side for their equipment to sit on and I wanted rid of the concrete beforehand so know I'll have to repair bits once they've finished! That will be the end of October so may be a good time to fill any dips I've left too whoops
I think having dogs and grass is a never ending battle so I know I'll have brown patches and the odd hole
Ah I didn't really think how well the two types will match! Have to wait and see how it looks if/when it establishes properly.
Cheers Dave! I'll try and borrow a roller. It's a good couple of inches already in barely over a week! Expect it'll need a cut first before I roll it.
I have a bosche cylinder mower with a rear roller and can adjust the cutting height so will take your advice re keeping it longer
I really appreciate you taking the time to offer some help. It's not show garden but I'm quite proud of the transformation already and hopefully it'll be half acceptable when all done.
Good luck with it Tom. There's something very satisfying about seeding a lawn and watching it grow. Its resilient stuff once it's established. Just needs some tlc in the early days.
As for the dogs these are the options as I see it:
- keep them off it (probably not practical)
- train them to pee in a certain area (flower bed etc - I'm lucky, my new addition seems to prefer this to the lawn)
- chase after the dog and spray the area with a watering can.
- or lastly just accept you will have brown patches!