Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => General Gardening => Topic started by: lfcevans on April 26, 2011, 17:13

Title: Lawn problems
Post by: lfcevans on April 26, 2011, 17:13
I`ve moved things around in my garden and have sown some grass seeds to cover a new area. The trouble is, the seeds dont seem to be doing to well.

At first, I dug the area over and fertilised it, I then sowed 2 types at the same time over each other, one for general lawn use, and one for drought or waterlogged lawns. I put plenty of seed down and had watered it everyday. After about a 2 weeks, I saw some signs of life. After about 3 1/2 weeks, the seedlings have come up very weak and had started to go yellow in patches. So, 2 weeks ago I re-sowed more general grass seed over the same area and raked in hoping it will thicken it up. I have kept watering every day, but no sign of life yet, what could be the problem???

Not a great pic but as an example

Title: Re: Lawn problems
Post by: mumofstig on April 26, 2011, 17:30
I don't think that's too bad considering the weather we've been having.
Title: Re: Lawn problems
Post by: Yorkie on April 26, 2011, 20:58
You hadn't applied feed weed & mosskiller earlier in the season, had you?

Did you break up the soil before sowing the seed, and cover it with a light covering after sowing?

Other than that, I agree with MoS.  It's been very hot and dry, despite watering, so that's likely to have contributed.
Title: Re: Lawn problems
Post by: lfcevans on April 28, 2011, 00:35
The picture is of an area that has had new soil put on it to get the level up.

I hadnt put any weed and feed on it no.

Perhaps I am expecting to much of it. Its just that with the weather being so nice this last fortnight, I was expecting the temperature rise to bring in germination, It says 7-21 days on both packs of seeds but not even half of what Ive sown has germinated, I would say about 30% has. I can even see ungerminated seeds on the bare soil. Yet on one small area, where I had a bonfire last year, has come up nice and thick and green. I was beginning to think the imported soil was of a poor quality seeing as the grass that has grown has been stunted and yellowing.

Thanks for the replies by the way
Title: Re: Lawn problems
Post by: Goosegirl on April 30, 2011, 17:52
With any imported soil, you will get weed seeds germinating even in a drought.! Some people leave the area fallow until they have grown then hoe them off before seeding but I think your soil lacks nutrients so I would sprinkle some Growmore on and water in well.
Title: Re: Lawn problems
Post by: lfcevans on May 07, 2011, 18:03
Lawn doing a lot better now, and the rain will help even more  ..... :)

I didnt get any more germination from the seeds I put down, but the grass is looking green and is thickening up nicely.

I havent put anything on it either, just a good soaking every third day has done the trick.

These are the 2 types of seed I sowed