Please come and help a (totally useless) novice gardener.

[parachutes]

Can anyone advise on how to cheaply easily/quickly get some grass growing in the back garden?
Dh is still laughing at my suggestion to "chuck some seed down."

I really don't want to spend a lot of money doing it this year but any tips on any prep etc to give seed a better chance would be appreciated.

Thanks

[lincstash]

you only have three options

a) seed it
b) turf it
c) let it go wild.

[AMumInScotland]

If the ground is fairly level and the earth is reasonably loose, then "chucking some seed down" may well work. Though you will need to water it in dry spells and remove weeds (by hand) as they come up.

If the ground is quite compacted then you really need to dig it over first (with a garden fork) and then rake it flat before you throw the seed over it, as it will have much more chance to push roots down into the ground then - it would only sit on top of hard earth until it gets eaten by birds or rained off!

[parachutes]

Thanks for the replies, I was expecting some pointing and laughing. Rightly so.

Lincstash: I have tried a & c and can't currently afford b
AMIS: this time I will actually put some effort in before I seed and rake the ground etc.

Thanks again, I really do appreciate it.

[ampere]

My mum's neighbour did this and spread twigs all over the end result to keep the thieving birds at bay!

I believe the trick is in good preparation- nice, fine soil, and keeping the water up to it.

Good luck.

[parachutes]

Hi ampere, the twigs in our garden will sort themselves out (unfortunately) as we have half a dozen oak trees regularly shedding bit of branches (next on the list!)

[lincstash]

Hope you're not considering chopping those oak trees down...........

[ABetaDad]

parachutes - are the bare patches under or near the trees? If so the grass will not grow if it is constantly in shadow. You could get a tree surgeon to trim the trees back a little but they must take care and only do with proper advice. Most councils have a tree surgeon who will advise and even do private work at weekends. We did that and it let a lot more light into our garden.

If is is a fairly sunny spot heavily rake the soil over to form a fine tilth and then scatter on the seed. Use seed that is mixed with such as Suttons Rapid Green Multi-Purpose Lawn Grass which is cated with seaweed extract that makes it grow quicker. Finally scatter a litle more soil/sand/ over the seed to cover itn. This is a great time of year to plant grass seed - dont delay.

Keep very well watered throughout the sumer.

[taffetacat]

Get rid of any weeds
Dig it over a little
Dig in a little compost for good measure
Chuck down some seed
Water or wait for the rain
Put some seeds and nuts out for the birds elsewhere

[parachutes]

Lincstash: nooooooooooooooooooo

ABetaDad: thank you for the info. I have already spoken to the council re the trees, apparently I have to draw them a little picture of how and where I intend cutting the tree branches and then they may or may not approve it.
I will call them again armed with your info though!

Thanks for all the advice. I've ordered the seed and will be feeding the birds sorting out the garden next week.

[KristinaM]

i agree, you cant grow grass under oak trees, they cast too dense a shade

unless your garden and the trees are huge

you cannot do them yourself, you need a tree surgeon to raise and thin the crown

this will be £££££££

[parachutes]

There is some grass growing round the trees. We have one fairly large tree close to the house and then there's about six of them-in a circle-towards the back: but we have the joy of nettles there instead of grass! I just don't even see that area at the moment as I might cry.

Thanks for all the advice. I am going to put some effort in next week and try to, at least, get the first two-thirds sorted and then just throw a lit match into the nettles