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Hi Lee,
Yes - largely ok. Soil temps above 8 degrees will see it germinate. Much will depend on your local area - frost pockets etc....
Hi. Thanks so much for the reply and advice. Tomorrow I will plant the seed.
Exciting times
I started mine this week and will carry on next week. Am expecting good results as it is still very warm in the South East, but we do lack rain, so having to help the germination along with some watering.
Hi Colin. Thanks for the advice. I live in Surrey and the temps are pretty good with some light showers forecast over the next week so I will put down the seed.
Thanks for replying
Come to think of it, I have a query, is it best to seed first or to top dress first. I have read the former is best if you are experienced at applying top dressing as it stops the bird eating seed. The latter if you are not experienced as you. Ould smother the seed?
Oh, and one more thing, how to apply the top dressing. I have a 1 metre landscape rake which has the nice levelling edge on the back. But, I have read this is not good enough to get the dressing into the core holes. People say a stiff broom helps.
I have been looking at home made drag brushes which are pretty cool but unfortunately I cannot get all the materials by tomorrow to build one and so, I have seen a leader used with weights on. Would this be OK? My garden is 300m2 and I have 1.4 tonne top dressing to apply
Hi Lee,
You'd be silly not to seed given the work you've already carried out - even if it was this time next month you'd likely get fair germination down south. In the Midlands bonfire night is a good rule - but I would only risk that with small areas rather than actual renovations.
Seed first, then top dress. The most important thing is seed to soil contact. Plants can't put roots down from the surface and that goes for the grass plant too. If you can get the seed just a few mm into the top through mechcanical work and working the seed into the surface - even if just a broom and a light top-dressing this will go a long way.
If using a pre-seed fertiliser such as a 6-9-6 this would be better worked into the top with the seed and tucked under the top dressing. Just a dusting is enough to gain good germination.
Hi Jack.
Thanks so much for the detailed reply.
This is reassuring to hear that people are saying it is ok to seed.
Do you think if I seed first and then use my roller mower this would get good contact with the soil and enough so it does not dislodge when applying the top dressing?
I actually didn't know you could get a fertiliser for seed. I got a autumn and winter which is12-5-20 which seems hard compared to your recommendation.
Regards Lee
Hi Lee,
No worries. It is still mild and more importantly than the air temperatures, the soil temperature is helpful. Similar temperatures during March wouldn't be suitable following a cold snap for example as the soil would yet to be catching up.
A light roller isn't a bad idea but not my method. Different seed types prefer differing seed to soil contact. I would suggest lightly brushing in the seed with a broom - you may be suprised how much disapears into the surface. I wouldn't worry about it moving around too much under the top dressing as there isn't the need to work in quite as much - I would overseed at a high rate where required and run with that.
Pre-seed fertilisers are quite common. Typically, the P level is high to facilitate root development, with N and K levels lower. That doesn't mean to say that what you are using would be unsuitable. I would be tempted to use at a lower rate as the 12N may excite existing grasses and crowd-out the new plants. You could always apply again at a later date. Refer to the label as to how low a rate you can do with to get a good distribution.
Getting grass seed to the soil and plentiful water will do the job for you. Good luck.
Jack, a great BIG THANK YOU Kind Sir!
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