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Lawn troubles

steverob1066steverob1066 Posts: 2
in Garden design
I have an old lawn I'm trying to renew, so have forked it, scraped out the moss, scattered lawn seed and lightly raked over lawn dressing. Then I've been regularly lightly watering. But now two squirrels and some blackbirds are going hell for leather at the seeds. And the squirrels are digging holes in good turf and making a real mess. What to do?

Posts

  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    The likelyhood is that the squirrel has nuts buried in your lawn and the blackbird is after worms and grubs, neither are that bothered with grass seed. Are there any oak trees around you that the squirrels might have taken acorns from to chache in the turf? Try feeding the squirrels some alternative food for a bit and they should leave your lawn alone while the seed settles, it's a hungry time of year for them just now. The blackbird is probably doing more good than harm by keeping any pests under control.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Watering?

    Blimey  :D
     
    I'd agree- squirrels bury in lawns all the time. Some food can certainly help deflect them. The blackies may take a little seed, but again, it's not a big problem. Do you feed the birds? 

    I'd have waited a little while before sowing seed etc too, but perhaps you're in a warmer, drier area.
    You can simply 're-sprinkle' later on though  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • steverob1066steverob1066 Posts: 2
    Yeah- it's like a desert here in Cambridge ;) Anyway thanks will set up some diversionary feeders.
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