[Foxy]

Was wondering if it is still a  bit early??? I think autumn is usually the best time, but is it too cold for seed to germinate now? thanks!

[Trillium]

Actually, grass seed loves the cold and hates the heat, which is why it appears dead during summer and recovers in fall and spring. Even if it's frosty, grass seed will be happy so mix it with a bit of compost, top soil or whatever and start flinging. The spring rains will give the sprouting a huge boost.

[FCG]

Thanks for this Trillium & Foxy, i need to grow a whole lawn so extremely timely!

[Foxy]

thanks Trillium, now that makes sense -did wonder why mid spring the grass looks lovely! Ive got some special grass seed designed for poultry and want to get it down as early as possible.

[FCG]

Foxy what seed? I'm growing a lawn as mine was eaten by my hens.

[Foxy]

Hi FCG

This is what I've got -it will go on the poultry pasture area

http://www.thegrassseedstore.co.uk/500-poultry-grazing-pasture-p-309.html

[FCG]

Holy hell! That is a lot of money! I think my lawn dissapeared as it was 70% weeds and 10% grass (20% unidentifiable or mud). I'll give it a shot with plain ryegrass mixed with expensive grass from wilkinsons before i try that one. But thanks for the link foxy... bookmarked.

[Salmo]

I would say wait until the soil is warm before you plant.  Cover it with clear plastic sheet until it comes up to retain moisture and keep birds off. Also keps cats off which love to scratch and poop in fine seedbeds. Remove the sheet once it is up.

[Foxy]

I would say wait until the soil is warm before you plant.  Cover it with clear plastic sheet until it comes up to retain moisture and keep birds off. Also keps cats off which love to scratch and poop in fine seedbeds. Remove the sheet once it is up.

thanks! but will need a rather large sheet -its 1/4 acre!!

[Salmo]

Sorry. I thought you were talking about a small lawn not a field. My advice about waiting until the soil is warm still stands. Grass seed will rot in cold soil. You will need to watch the weather forecasts and drill just before a damp period. Roll it down tight when it is drilled.

[Foxy]

Thank you Salmo! I think I will leave it a little longer, hate for it to rot,wont do any harm  to leave a few weeks and fertilise first -some of it I will have to lime anyway.

[Roughlee Handled]

This is all very interesting.  I have just finished major ground works on "Stallag 14" (chicken run) It has taken just over a tonne of 2 inch limestone and 17m of 80mm perforated drainage pipe. (its a wet bit of land on clay!!!) I was about to nip to BandQ and get some lawn seed and chuck it about. I may hold off and do it properly.

[Teen76]

To be honest I know that you should preferably sow seed before the weeds decide to grow, but these days they don't appear to stop do they.  I've actually sown in the middle of a hot summer and still got a lawn.  I think grass is one of the toughest plants around.  As long as its moist they'll grow.  There is a better time, but grass will grow any time really.

My opinion and my experience, but by no means does that make me an expert. 

[hindy]

I sown a small area a few weeks ago, my new lawn is looking great now, just needs to fill out 

[Kate and her Ducks]

I also sowed some a couple of weeks ago and it is doing really well. Not long before I can let the ducks on it.