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New lawn from seed - when to sow?

M33R4M33R4 Posts: 291
in Problem solving
I've dug up the previous dead lawn, flattened, spread top soil over the area that is going to be the new lawn which I will sow from seed. The days seems to be getting warmer but the nights can still be freezing. I wish to sow the lawn as soon as possible as the neighbouring cats are too keen to take up a new toilet facility. I live in Derbyshire DE56 area. 
I wish I could garden all year round!

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I would wait at least a month, because all that new soil will settle, and you may need to add more, fill out any hollows and do more levelling of any humps and bumps.
    Unfortunately, I totally understand the problem you mention. I had to net my new lawn area for several months, as I started mine early on [late autumn] when I decided to do it. It was then sown in June, but that might be harder for you if you don't get adequate rainfall. It germinates more rapidly when it's warmer, but you also need the moisture.
    Most people sow in or around April to get the best of both worlds.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • M33R4M33R4 Posts: 291
    Fairygirl said:...Most people sow in or around April to get the best of both worlds.  :)
    I was hoping to sow in March after the ground preparation - any one sown in March with good results please?
    I wish I could garden all year round!
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    So much depends on the weather we get in March, and especially with you being up in Derbyshire you could find it pretty chilly still.
    I would say that generally speaking after Mid March is probably your best bet.

  • M33R4M33R4 Posts: 291
    edited February 2023
    AnniD said:
    So much depends on the weather we get in March, and especially with you being up in Derbyshire you could find it pretty chilly still.
    I would say that generally speaking after Mid March is probably your best bet.

    In the meantime, would it be a good idea to cover the area with tarp/ground sheet to stop weeds coming through and it being used as a cat litter tray please? Or is there a cheaper alternative as those sheets are costly.

    What if, in mid-March, I've sown the seeds with daytime temperatures around 10 degrees celsius but nights are freezing cold - would that kill off the seeds?
    I wish I could garden all year round!
  • UffUff Posts: 3,199
    I used to live in the DE56 area of Derbyshire and mid March is far too early to sow grass seed. Better to wait until late April or even May when the days are consistently warmer. You would be wasting time and money to do it sooner. 
    SW SCOTLAND but born in Derbyshire
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    It's been a few years since l've been involved with sowing a lawn from seed, but there's loads of information here.
    https://www.rhs.org.uk/lawns/lawns-from-seed

    You could certainly cover the ground in the meantime to prevent weeds sprouting etc.
    I'm afraid it's virtually impossible to keep cats off it if they've a mind to use it *, however once the grass becomes established it will be less of a problem, and you can always re seed over any bare patches caused by them or lack of germination. 

    I believe l'm right in saying that if the soil is warm enough a few nights of temperatures below zero (say minus 1 to minus 4) shouldn't cause a problem, but l stand to be corrected by someone who knows more than me  :)

    *You could try a sonic cat deterrent ,there are several forum members who use them and can advise. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'd go with @Uff's advice. It's just a waste of time and effort as the seed can either rot, or dry out if the conditions aren't particularly suited. 
    Even April can be too early here, but if in doubt - always wait. The odd cold night won't be a problem, but you need around two weeks for germination, then the conditions need to be decent enough for the grass to grow. The condition/type of your soil is also a factor. Heavy soil is more difficult as it doesn't warm up as easily, which slows down germination. 

    The netting I used wasn't terribly expensive. I got it online.  It also lets light in and moisture, which helps when you want to sow the seed. I kept the netting on until the grass was well through.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    As Sandi Toksvik said:  "so many cats, so few recipes".


     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • M33R4M33R4 Posts: 291
    edited February 2023
    As Sandi Toksvik said:  "so many cats, so few recipes".
     :D 
    I wish I could garden all year round!
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