I am about to put lawn seeds down, but how do i stop the birds eating the seeds? someone said put hay or netting down, but which one is better? thanks.
2006-10-21 00:12:32 · 12 answers · asked by mary h 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
As a Gardener / Groundsman, with well over thirty years in the business, I've never used such coverings.
Most seed producers treat seed with an anti-bird preperation, designed to deter birds from eating it.
In the UK, I would neve consider sowing grass seed outwith September.
By this time the soil should have warmed-up to its maximum, providing the ideal temp. for the seed to begin germinating within three days. Within seven days the maximum amount of seed should have germinated. Thus reducing the amount of seed for the birds to consume.
A properly, prepared seedbed will allow for the seed to be raked in.
Access - www.iog.org.uk - [institute of groundsmanship] you should be able to obtain the info.
2006-10-21 04:01:03 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Grass Seed Netting
2016-11-11 04:41:02 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Neither. Lawn seed these days comes with a bird repelent on it. Besides you don't leave lawn seed on the surface of the soil, it has to be raked over slightly. I'm a landscape gardener and have never had any problems with birds eating the seed.
2006-10-21 00:16:43 · answer #3 · answered by pampurredpuss 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't use either. Mix your grass seed with an equal amount of good,damp potting compost and put it in a black plastic bag, loosely tied. If you are sowing a lot of seed it is probably better to use more than one bag. Leave it somewhere like a greenhouse, boiler house or airing cupboard for about 4-5 days for the seed to germinate, then spread the seeds/compost mixture as usual.
Birds only eat the seeds, they don;t touch them once they have germinated.
2006-10-21 07:19:04 · answer #4 · answered by wendy k 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, it's not hay, but straw. I don't think the straw keeps the birds away, but it does keep the moisture in the soil, and it helps prevent the soil from washing away.
My husband is a builder, and on one of his homes, they just recently seeded the lawn. The seed was drilled in with a planter, but then they spread straw all over the lawn. Within a week, they had a lot of growth. Over the winter now, that straw will decompose and enrich the soil in the lawn.
2006-10-21 00:29:26 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The birds won't bother the seed much. But hay will act as a mulch, and help retain the moisture in the soil. However, if you're in the northern part of the northern hemisphere, you won't get much grass growing at this time of year any way. If you put hay down, you'll be looking at it until the snow covers it.
2006-10-21 00:20:06 · answer #6 · answered by Ralfcoder 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's possible to buy seed which birds won't eat. Failing that, use sticks and wrap black cotton around them. Your main problem will be to stop cats digging the soil - the cotton will discourage them. Hope it grows cos September was the ideal month really for setting new lawns.
2006-10-21 02:13:17 · answer #7 · answered by Sandee 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
Is it better to stop birds eating lawn seed with hay or netting?
I am about to put lawn seeds down, but how do i stop the birds eating the seeds? someone said put hay or netting down, but which one is better? thanks.
2015-08-19 00:59:36 · answer #8 · answered by Elisabeth 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We've always used hay on top and it's always worked well. The grass grows up through it and it just disappears after awhile. That was up in New Jersey.
Good luck.
2006-10-21 05:07:23 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Neither, the birds won't be too bothered with it; still plenty of food available elsewhere
2006-10-21 00:27:27 · answer #10 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋