Too Late for reseeding my Lawn?

upyaboyanow · 25-09-2020 10:47pm #1

Hi,

Is it too Late for reseeding my Lawn?

Will need to spray all the old grass first, give it a chance to work - then mow and gather, before shaking new seed (no digging / cultivating - just shaking the new seed on the ground).

Could be 2-3 weeks before I get to shake the seed (depending how long it will take the RoundUp to work)

Have I left it too late in the year for the seed to survive the winter?

legend99 · 26-09-2020 8:04am

upyaboyanow wrote: »

Hi,

Is it too Late for reseeding my Lawn?

Will need to spray all the old grass first, give it a chance to work - then mow and gather, before shaking new seed (no digging / cultivating - just shaking the new seed on the ground).

Could be 2-3 weeks before I get to shake the seed (depending how long it will take the RoundUp to work)

Have I left it too late in the year for the seed to survive the winter?

I think you'll need to give people an idea of where you are. Potential big difference in temperature between say the extremes of West Cork and somewhere like Kilkenny...

Tails142 · 26-09-2020 8:29am

Yes it is too late, some of the seed might take leaving you with thin patches but you won't get much growth and frost will probably do it in over winter

bobbyy gee · 26-09-2020 8:35am

Reseed

https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/homes-and-property/gardens/lawn-order-how-to-get-your-garden-grass-back-to-glory-after-winter-1.3471421?mode=amp

AMC123LM · 26-09-2020 9:04am

Seeded a new lawn last weekend. Nothing has come up yet. I’d say the frost last night didn’t help. I would say it’s too late.

bonaparte2 · 26-09-2020 9:05am

nah, it'll be grand .Sow away.

Funsterdelux · 26-09-2020 9:25am

September is a good month to seed a lawn. Even into October. The ground would be Less likely to dry out too.

upyaboyanow · 26-09-2020 9:30am

Funsterdelux wrote: »

September is a good month to seed a lawn. Even into October. The ground would be Less likely to dry out too.

ya, but if i spray today / monday - need to give 2-3 weeks before that kills existing grass, then nearly into November before im shaking the new seed!!

legend99 · 26-09-2020 9:42am

upyaboyanow wrote: »

ya, but if i spray today / monday - need to give 2-3 weeks before that kills existing grass, then nearly into November before im shaking the new seed!!

Again, depends where you are. Frost, I believe, is the big issue and first frosts of the year are very much tied to your location

upyaboyanow · 28-09-2020 9:56am

thanks for all the comments.

iv decided to leave it for this year.

So whats the earliest / best time i can do it next year?

Funsterdelux · 28-09-2020 8:30pm

upyaboyanow wrote: »

thanks for all the comments.

iv decided to leave it for this year.

So whats the earliest / best time i can do it next year?

Depends on where you are

I worked in landscaping and usually begin lawns in March, once ground conditions allowed.

How big is the lawn? Could be worth getting it dug(mini digger) and raked, its a better job overall.

29-09-2020 7:09am

You can sow a lawn any time of the year in Ireland.

I sowed one last November and I have a beautiful lawn now. Frost is not the issue, it's the heavy rain that causes problem with washing away seed and leaving ruts and patches, but nothing that some minor work won't resolve. It will also require watering if you get any dry weather, but by the early summer you should have a perfectly good lawn.

That being said, a lawn sown in November is a lot more work than a lawn sown in late summer. If you get your timing right, by sowing in late August/early September you'll have a beautiful lawn within 5-6 weeks.

Spring is another option but you'll have to contend with a lot more weeds.

kaiserrussel · 29-09-2020 9:10am

Some what related I rented a scarifer from a tool hire company at the weekend and I did my lawn, twice actually. Cut the lawn Friday then round 1 sat morning.
After picking up the grass and thatch I did a second pass in a different direction.

So much thatch and dead grass. It was therapeutic actually!

My question is can I put some lawn see on the ground and will it germinate?

My main aim was to try introduce new grass. My lawn was sown over 10 years ago.

scarepanda · 29-09-2020 9:18am

Ya, AFAIK you can. Your overseeding rather than re seeding.

kaiserrussel · 29-09-2020 11:40am

scarepanda wrote: »

Ya, AFAIK you can. Your overseeding rather than re seeding.

this is what I wanted to hear!

GreeBo · 29-09-2020 11:46am

kaiserrussel wrote: »

Some what related I rented a scarifer from a tool hire company at the weekend and I did my lawn, twice actually. Cut the lawn Friday then round 1 sat morning.
After picking up the grass and thatch I did a second pass in a different direction.

So much thatch and dead grass. It was therapeutic actually!

My question is can I put some lawn see on the ground and will it germinate?

My main aim was to try introduce new grass. My lawn was sown over 10 years ago.

Again it depends on where you are, North or South.

Did your dethatching get you down to soil?
Seed needs to be sitting on soil to germinate and survive.
If there is still a layer of thatch then it likely wont make it.

upyaboyanow · 29-09-2020 3:16pm

scarepanda wrote: »

Ya, AFAIK you can. Your overseeding rather than re seeding.

yes - me too

upyaboyanow · 29-09-2020 3:17pm

GreeBo wrote: »

Again it depends on where you are, North or South.

Did your dethatching get you down to soil?
Seed needs to be sitting on soil to germinate and survive.
If there is still a layer of thatch then it likely wont make it.

no dethatching done yet! grass about a ft high at the moment - normal agri seed.

legend99 · 29-09-2020 6:48pm

upyaboyanow wrote: »

no dethatching done yet! grass about a ft high at the moment - normal agri seed.

Think you've crossed posts as that was an answer to different question no?

kaiserrussel · 29-09-2020 8:35pm

GreeBo wrote: »

Again it depends on where you are, North or South.

Did your dethatching get you down to soil?
Seed needs to be sitting on soil to germinate and survive.
If there is still a layer of thatch then it likely wont make it.

I’m in the south, can see soil in a lot of places. I’ll share a pic up close

legend99 · 05-10-2020 1:41pm

Note that I seeded last week. One thing I had overlooked was leaves coming off trees and covering the seed and very difficult to move it off without taking some seed with it. And the poster who mentioned heavy rain being an issue was correct as well - heavy rain during the week moved the seed. I regret now not going to the trouble of spreading a very fine layer of top soil over the seed.

05-10-2020 4:20pm

legend99 wrote: »

Note that I seeded last week. One thing I had overlooked was leaves coming off trees and covering the seed and very difficult to move it off without taking some seed with it. And the poster who mentioned heavy rain being an issue was correct as well - heavy rain during the week moved the seed. I regret now not going to the trouble of spreading a very fine layer of top soil over the seed.

Rake through any areas that got hit by heavy rain and caused little rivulets or ruts. Seed again and cover with a layer of soil. It should be fine, but do it now or it will be uneven.

legend99 · 05-10-2020 5:47pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Rake through any areas that got hit by heavy rain and caused little rivulets or ruts. Seed again and cover with a layer of soil. It should be fine, but do it now or it will be uneven.

Yes - thanks for that. Bought some bags of the Westland top soil as it guarantees to be weed free but trying to get hold of seed now and not as easy! Went with No 1 mix and all gone in my local Woodies etc. Likewise the 2 garden centres I tried. Will probably have to buy online. Built myself a drag as well to level the soil. Was wondering if putting soil over any seed that has just germinated, will kill it? Or will it be okay if its spread thin?

legend99 · 08-10-2020 12:20pm

New bag of seed arrived. Fingers crossed now for the weekend. Still conscious of possibly smothering the seed that's now on day ten so need to try to decide what I will top about covering or not with thin layer of that top soil.

RonanC · 08-10-2020 2:32pm

I have found the best material to cover seed with is peat moss - it helps prevent the seed from both drying out and being washed away. I have experimented with top soil, compost and peat moss over the past 12 months and have found that germination is fastest with the peat moss.

blackbox · 09-10-2020 8:35pm

I seeded just over 2 weeks ago and no sign of germination yet

East Wicklow area, so no frost yet.

cuculainn · 09-10-2020 9:01pm

i sowed an area with wildflowers about 2 weeks ago. there were a few cold nights last week, not sure if there was frost but i noticed some germination today, could be weeds, but hopefully they take

overall its been pretty good weather for sowing the last few weeks

Lumen · 14-10-2020 7:27am

blackbox wrote: »

I seeded just over 2 weeks ago and no sign of germination yet
East Wicklow area, so no frost yet.

Ditto, same area and timing. I noticed just yesterday that sprouts have started coming up.

legend99 · 15-10-2020 1:10am

I'm South. Started seeing germination from the seed I put down on 27th September after 2 weeks. I reseeded and covered with fine layer of top soil last Sunday as the leaves falling caused me havoc. I'm hopeful I have a lot of life now by end of the month - be 5 weeks for the first seed and 3 for the second.

The leaves are still a nightmare though. Area is under trees. Having to try to remove leaves every night to give the seed the best possible chance.

RobAMerc · 15-10-2020 10:39pm

I seeded a new lawn on Sat 3rd of October - on Monday this week I saw the soil turning a bit green ish - as of today I have a very sparse but 25mm growth on everywhere I didnt ruin by walking on !

I might take some pics tomorrow if anyone has any interest.

christy c · 15-10-2020 10:41pm

RobAMerc wrote: »

I seeded a new lawn on Sat 3rd of October - on Monday this week I saw the soil turning a bit green ish - as of today I have a very sparse but 25mm growth on everywhere I didnt ruin by walking on !

I might take some pics tomorrow if anyone has any interest.

Please do

legend99 · 16-10-2020 2:32am

RobAMerc wrote: »

I seeded a new lawn on Sat 3rd of October - on Monday this week I saw the soil turning a bit green ish - as of today I have a very sparse but 25mm growth on everywhere I didnt ruin by walking on !

I might take some pics tomorrow if anyone has any interest.

What kind of seed by the way? Rye mix or something else? I'm using the No1 mix - fescue mix

RobAMerc · 16-10-2020 9:27am

RobAMerc · 16-10-2020 9:29am

legend99 wrote: »

What kind of seed by the way? Rye mix or something else? I'm using the No1 mix - fescue mix

I am pretty sure it was this - sorry, I know no more about it

legend99 · 16-10-2020 5:24pm

RobAMerc wrote: »

I am pretty sure it was this - sorry, I know no more about it

Rye seed should germinate faster than fescue I think. I'm getting seriously worried about my growing (no pun intended!) knowledge of grass. I even bought, as it was reduced, that 80s book The Lawn Expert in my local garden shop. I'd say they hadn't sold one in years. Hence it was battered and only a fiver!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lawn-Expert-Enlarged-Updated/dp/B00RUOQ9XG

On a more serious note, how are you managing the leaves which are falling?

RobAMerc · 17-10-2020 9:47am

legend99 wrote: »

On a more serious note, how are you managing the leaves which are falling?

I look out at them !
I am guessing their impact might be on stopping light getting to the seeds ?

legend99 · 30-10-2020 10:10am

RobAMerc wrote: »

I look out at them !
I am guessing their impact might be on stopping light getting to the seeds ?

Hi,
Yes. Think the seeds are knackered under leaves. The recent rain has washed whatever seed left on the my area away - you could see the seeds floating off. I'm trying to decide whether I should out down more seed - and cover with polythene sheets as some websites recommend - or just hold off until April. Where I seeded is very patchy and I'd really like to try and get more grass to grow in the hope of preventing weeds taking over before I seed in Spring. Don't know now which option to go with. But inclined to chance the seed and polythene covering for the sake of it not being too expensive or too much work...

blackbox · 25-11-2020 2:22pm

The seed that I put down at the end of September mostly hasn't germinated. It is a shady North facing slope so I guess the soil was too cold.

Will this seed remain dormant and germinate next Spring, or will I have to re-seed?

kaiserrussel · 21-12-2020 4:00pm

kaiserrussel wrote: »

Some what related I rented a scarifer from a tool hire company at the weekend and I did my lawn, twice actually. Cut the lawn Friday then round 1 sat morning.
After picking up the grass and thatch I did a second pass in a different direction.

So much thatch and dead grass. It was therapeutic actually!

My question is can I put some lawn see on the ground and will it germinate?

My main aim was to try introduce new grass. My lawn was sown over 10 years ago.

Hi folks - I found that the grass didn't take as much as I would have wanted - although maybe because of the time of year. is there something in particular I should have seen by now? how high should the grass be after growing?

21-12-2020 8:27pm

blackbox wrote: »

The seed that I put down at the end of September mostly hasn't germinated. It is a shady North facing slope so I guess the soil was too cold.

Will this seed remain dormant and germinate next Spring, or will I have to re-seed?

It should germinate in around April and then you should have a fine lawn by about June. Pull the weeds by hand as they appear and then cut on a high setting at the start to encourage growth. Be patient and be sure to water in the spring if it's dry like it was last year. Scatter seed on any bare patches.

21-12-2020 8:29pm

kaiserrussel wrote: »

Hi folks - I found that the grass didn't take as much as I would have wanted - although maybe because of the time of year. is there something in particular I should have seen by now? how high should the grass be after growing?

There's no sure answer to be honest. No reason it won't germinate in the spring. Follow the guidelines above and you should be fine.

kaiserrussel · 30-12-2020 12:21am

Deleted User wrote: »

There's no sure answer to be honest. No reason it won't germinate in the spring. Follow the guidelines above and you should be fine.

thanks for the advice - Lets see how it goes. If anything scarifiying the lawn gave me from sept on wards where I didn't need to mow the lawn :-)

NIMAN · 05-01-2021 9:44pm

Is there anything I could be doing to my lawn at this time of year?

I put down nematodes maybe October time, and maybe because we have had a mild enough winter so far, but grass appears to have got very lush and thick. It could nearly have been cut over the winter but I didn't want to leave ruts in the soft soil, did that before.

05-01-2021 10:51pm

NIMAN wrote: »

Is there anything I could be doing to my lawn at this time of year?

I put down nematodes maybe October time, and maybe because we have had a mild enough winter so far, but grass appears to have got very lush and thick. It could nearly have been cut over the winter but I didn't want to leave ruts in the soft soil, did that before.

Leaving it alone is the best thing you can do. Whatever growth there was will have stopped now as proper winter has set in.

Too Late for reseeding my Lawn?

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