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How to protect newly sewed Grass Seed from heavy rain?

lewisjames1992lewisjames1992 Posts: 3
in Problem solving
Hey everyone, new here so hope you don't mind the question! 

I've recently overseeded the garden and covered the grass seed with topsoil and rollered it in, but tonight it's forecasted very heavy rain for hours and I'm worried about all my hard work being undone. Is there anything I can purchase today that can cover the seeds from the rain or should I just leave it? 

Thank you!

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    The rain won't matter at all to it, unless there's something wrong with the way the seed has been sown, and how the ground's been prepped.  :)
    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
    Of course we don't mind a question.  Question away!

    The seed will love rain.  It might be disturbed a bit.  But probably not, as you have covered it.
     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."
  • lewisjames1992lewisjames1992 Posts: 3
    bédé said:
    Of course we don't mind a question.  Question away!

    The seed will love rain.  It might be disturbed a bit.  But probably not, as you have covered it.

    Fairygirl said:
    The rain won't matter at all to it, unless there's something wrong with the way the seed has been sown, and how the ground's been prepped.  :)
    Thank you for the responses.

    I scarified, aerated, overseeded and covered it with topsoil in the week and we had crazy rain and some of the soil eroded. I basically put more seed down in the bare patches after the rain and topsoiled everywhere and rollered in. So worried the rain will wash it away, it's on a slight banking. 
  • Jenny_AsterJenny_Aster Posts: 945
    If you're worried maybe lay horticultural fleece over the area, it might dissipate the force of heavy rain? Rain will still get through, but perhaps a cloud burst will run off. 
    Trying to be the person my dog thinks I am! 

    Cambridgeshire/Norfolk border.
  • Robert WestRobert West Posts: 241
    It will be just fine. The rain will do it good! 
  • RedwingRedwing Posts: 1,511
    I disagree with some comments above. Heavy rain can cause the soil and seed to pool and then pan; this is bad news.  I've had it happen on clay soil.  You don't say what your soil type is but if it happens tonight there may be some hope.  When did you sow the seed?  If it's only a day or two it won't yet have germinated so you could, once it drains away lightly rake it again.  More than a few days, say about four or more there is probably not much you can do.  The fleece suggestion by @Jenny_Aster may help.  Good luck; it can be very disappointing when this happens.  :(
    Based in Sussex, I garden to encourage as many birds to my garden as possible.
  • lewisjames1992lewisjames1992 Posts: 3
    Redwing said:
    I disagree with some comments above. Heavy rain can cause the soil and seed to pool and then pan; this is bad news.  I've had it happen on clay soil.  You don't say what your soil type is but if it happens tonight there may be some hope.  When did you sow the seed?  If it's only a day or two it won't yet have germinated so you could, once it drains away lightly rake it again.  More than a few days, say about four or more there is probably not much you can do.  The fleece suggestion by @Jenny_Aster may help.  Good luck; it can be very disappointing when this happens.  :(
    I done it all on Monday, its already pooling in places but everywhere else just looks wet tbh. Maybe the bits that pooled i can just put some more seed on and cover with topsoil?

    Or should I just leave it another week and see where I'm at?
  • RedwingRedwing Posts: 1,511
    edited May 2023
    lewisjames1992 said:

     Maybe the bits that pooled i can just put some more seed on and cover with topsoil?


    You can try that but I would lightly rake it in but wait til it dries a little.
    Based in Sussex, I garden to encourage as many birds to my garden as possible.
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