Grass seed in winter

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Comment by Shaun on November 19, 2008 at 0:12

Minus 2 temparature plus snow predicted this weekend in the north west, looks like a good time to put all this theory into practise.

Comment by Phil Voice on November 18, 2008 at 7:48

Hi Bayleaf

I would personally hesitate to sow grass seed in July. I am not saying I necessarily disagree about it being a good time for grass to germinate but there are maintenance and logistical issues why it could all go wrong.

Potentially. after sowing in July the temperature could rise (OK don't laugh after the last UK summer) so significantly that the grass seedlings could become insular and fail to expand out (roots) and up (blade.

Until the monocot is cut there is a good chance of failure of some if not all the seedlings depending on the harshness of the sun

Getting water on at the right times is difficult too and not always possible in a commercial environment. (Relying on a client to get the timing right is difficult).

Personally, I would always look to prepare the soil in September for the perfect sowing. The soil will be warm and the night time temperature cool enough to quell transpiration.

The chances of natural steady rain are increased too. There is also plenty of time for the grass to germinate, establish and you get the first cut before any leaves cover the surface and cut out light to the leaf blade.

It is root growth that is needed before the grips of winter and by seeding in September (or very early October) there is plenty of time for the first cut (or several( to allow the dicot to establish.

My view is, if there was too much leaf blade in July and August and not enough root growth - if sown at that time - the [grass] infrastructure would not be able to sustain itself.

Comment by Shaun on November 17, 2008 at 21:54

Thanks for the advice bayleaf, i may try a small patch as an exsperiment to see what actually happens. i have spoken to my clients and they a prepared to wait until next year
for the lawn to be re seeded.
I will take some before and after pictures and post them on this blog, then we can all see the results of the trial.
It will be interesting to see what actually happens.

Comment by Bayleaf on November 17, 2008 at 9:29

I designed a garden a few years ago for a man who had spent his life field trialing grass seed and perhaps I can help. All plants put on root growth in late summer and autumn and top growth in the spring; because of this the best month to sow seed is July; the seed settles during July and starts to grow in August. The grass quickly produces root growth and becomes established more quickly than spring sowing.
Grass will continue to grow throughout the winter and it may be that sowing now will establish the roots more effectively than a spring sowing. I would be tempted to sow now and be prepared to add more seed in the spring.

Comment by Shaun on November 15, 2008 at 21:45

Thanks for the advice its good to get alternative opinions from experienced landscapers.

Comment by steve loftus on November 15, 2008 at 8:17

you can still do some prep to get damaged area level again,otherwise ruts will fill with water.or maybe use turf instead of seed

Comment by Shaun on November 15, 2008 at 1:02

Thanks for the advice Steve, i have a client who hired some contractors to move some engineering aquipment. Unfortunately they have drove across the lawn i maintain and have chewed up some of the lawn i maintain. i really want to re-seed but i am afraid that a sharp frost will prevent germination. I may wait untill spring what do you think.

Comment by steve loftus on November 14, 2008 at 20:43

we have sown some advanta mm50 seed 2-3 weeks ago,its about an inch high with even germination,although,as you say ,it is a lot milder.
having been a groundsman,i always said that the end of october was my cut off for seed,but if it stays mild ,you may get away with mid november.
also would depend on the quality of seed,mm50 is headstart,coated seed,rye mix,hardwearing and tolerates a short cut