Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Polythene sheeting after over seeding a good idea?

Gn0meGn0me Posts: 85
in Problem solving

This year I'm thinking of covering my lawn with clear polythene sheeting after I have over seeded and put fertiliser down. This is primarily to stop the birds from eating the seeds but I've read it's also good to trap moisture and keep it warmer thus helping the seeds germinate.

Do you think this is unnecessary or overkill? Regardless, any further advice would be much appreciated.


As you can see from the photos, some areas are bare which happens every year for some reason. I think it's to do with the tree next to it, too much shade and gets boggy during the winter. Other areas seem thick and difficult to imagine the making seeds making their way to the soil. I have already given the lawn a good raking.

Thanks very much.


«1

Posts

  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    I think it will suffocate any seedlings that germinate. It would be like a g/h with no airflow.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • Dave HumbyDave Humby Posts: 1,145
    With the temps as they are, it is unlikely to give you much benefit from a germination perspective. It would sweat, which would help keep the soil most. It would also keep the birds at bay. Over-seeding and a light top dressing will hide most of the seed from prying eyes. Swings and roundabouts. I think you're right about your corner area. I'd be tempted to make a small bed there and plant something appropriate.

    The white patches on the lawn are interesting. Doesn't look like dog damage. 
  • Gn0meGn0me Posts: 85
    edited April 2022
    Thanks, that's what I read: keeping the soil moist so you don't have to water the lawn although punkdoc's comment about airflow concerns me now.

    Those patches are some kind of rough clumpy grass that manages to take hold every year from somewhere, annoying!

    Those corners, I'm thinking of putting a quarter circle of paving blocks to match my patio. It would certainly take care of having to reseed every year.
  • Dave HumbyDave Humby Posts: 1,145
    As soon as the seed germinates you should get the sheeting off. It’s done it’s job. Personally, I think the gains are minimal, if at all. 

    With your lawn size you could buy some cheap netting and suspend it on short bamboo canes. That would keep the birds off and allow you to water. Make sure you
    use a fine spray / mist or you’ll be blasting the seeds around and disturbing them from their seed bed. I’m sure you’ll know that. Good luck. 
  • Gn0meGn0me Posts: 85
    I actually saw this video which I found very interesting regarding do birds actually eat grass seeds? This is the main reason for thinking about using some sheeting or netting so if they don't really eat the seeds anyway then I won't bother.

    Can anyone confirm that they do eat grass seeds bearing in mind the season and whether there is plenty of other food sources? I have a bird feeder station and regularly throw sunflower hearts across my lawn for the pigeons since they can't access the bird feeder station.

    There is conflicting advice: some say you should remove bird feeders and stop feeding them while others say you should do the opposite so that they don't become desperate and go for less appetising food such as grass seed. It's all very frustrating!
  • MrMowMrMow Posts: 160
    PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT USE POLYTHENE SHEET.

    You will have the biggest case of Fusarium Patch going, google it. it will be rife under sheeting.

    Are you expecting to scatter seed and then have a wonderful lawn, what are you planning on prep work prior and after?

    Preparation is key and timing. And then the grow in begins.
    I never knew retirement would be so busy. :smile:




  • Gn0meGn0me Posts: 85

    MrMow said:
    PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT USE POLYTHENE SHEET.....

    So that's a no then?  :)

    I just did a search on the Fusarium you mentioned. I see what you mean and it does look like that but I'm not so sure. Those white patches you see is the result of me spraying lawn weed killer. As mentioned, I have these clumps of what can only be described as oversized rough grass blades dotted around the lawn.

    My plan, now that I have raked the lawn to get rid most of the dead grass and moss out, is to simply overseed it and then put down fertiliser afterwards with perhaps a bit of topsoil in the bare spots. I've realised it's now too mild for polythene if that would have worked anyway had it been cooler but instead I've ordered some bird netting to cover the whole lawn and see how that goes. During the coming 10 days or so I will water the lawn twice a day since very little rain is forecasted.

    I know it's getting late. If I'm doing anything wrong or there's room for improvement then please let me know, I really appreciate it.

    Thanks again.

  • MrMowMrMow Posts: 160
    Correct no polythene.

    Use Fleece or germination sheet it allows some air onto the sward. but with temps on the rise you should be fine just keep damp.

    Fusarium can become rife under sheeting, did not mean to put it across as that is what you have now.

    Good luck for a good take on seed.

    As for feed I hope you are not using one with a weedkiller in it and very little iron.
    I never knew retirement would be so busy. :smile:




  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    The problem with just seeding patches is, unless you have the exact match with existing grass, it can look odd, so it's better to broadcast some over the rest of the area if you don't have that.
    I'd agree with everyone else too - absolutely no need for plastic over grass seed at this time of year. Some soil or compost with the seed, and firmed in so that there's contact with the ground below is all you really need. Then good, regular watering - not just a quick spray every day, a good soaking every couple of days is better, as long as you aren't dislodging the seed.
    If you're in a very dry area you could always wait until September to do it, rather than wasting resources.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Gn0meGn0me Posts: 85
    Thanks everyone, I now feel that I'm at least not making any serious mistakes.

    As a recap this is what I've done so far:
    Used iron sulphate to kill the moss.
    Gradually cut the grass down as low as possible.
    Aerated the lawn using my spiked clogs.
    Used my electric raker (wire tines) to remove as much dead grass as possible.
    Manually raked the rest especially to get the dead moss out.
    Watered every day to keep the lawn moist as there's no rain forecasted.

    This is what I hope to do next:
    Sprinkle grass seeds all over the lawn with extra attention to the bare patches.
    Gently massage(!?) the seeds especially where there's existing grass so that they can reach the soil.
    Put some top soil on the bare patches
    Go around the lawn with my feet as I have no roller to press the seeds gently down.
    Spread fertiliser (concocted for overseeding)
    Put bird netting over the whole lot.
    Gently spray the lawn with water using my hosepipe or sprinkler that I have somewhere over the coming 10 days or so.

    Hopefully that will be that!
Sign In or Register to comment.