why hasn't my grass seed germinated?

[piratecat]

hi my lawn was looking awful, a few weeks back, Dandelions everywhere. So many in some places that there was no grass at all, the worst i have seen it.

Now forgive me but i 'thought' the seeds would grow!

I put Verdone on the dandelions (weedkiller) left it week. Mowed it with a mower that collected the grass.

Got lots of thatch out with a rake, watered it then put down 2 boxes of evergreen. It's ten days later and ihave watered every day but there are only a few bits of grass on thebits where i put down a little compost.

The ground is hard, but the seed hasn't taken at all on the muddy bits.

I have googled but can't decide where i went wrong.

the rest of the grass that was there needs mowing now, so do i just do it? I am also thinking that the birds have eaten alot of the seeds, but no matter whats left hasn't taken. Any advice? I felt sure the evergreen seed would be ok?

Perhaps the weedkiller is still present and is killing any germination?

Or the birds are kicking the shit out of the ground.

But I reckon you are not providing water regularly enough - mine grew in a week when I watered four times a day and took a month when I watered once a day.

I would suggest you put down: (a) sprinkle of compost; (b) water with plant food in - e.g. miracle grow (c) more grass seed (d) more water.

thanks wmmc.

i was worried about drowning the seed with too much water, but as you say it sounds as tho i need to do it more. I am sure the particular weed killer i used was broad leaf on contact, yet i don't know what effect it has had on the seeds. Tho i did leave it, and mow it b4 i seeded.

I think i will mow the lawn (if u can call it that) over the weekend, and start again. I am passing a garden centre today so will see if i can get some advice. The birds must be happy!

You can buy grass seed with plant food and water granules in it - so you only have to water half as often but it's still twice as day. AFAIK you can't overwater grass seed, particularly in this weather.

Yes, it's so dry isn't it and the ground is solid. One thing i didn't do was aerate the soil, oops. I just raked.

I used Evergreen grass seed. Do you have a name for the other type?

Mine hasnt grown either. Grass seed needs constant moisture to get going and it has really been too dry the last few months even with copious garden watering. I have given up on mine as I know it will grow in the Autumn if I leave it.

Many grass/cereals grow in wild savannah lands that are typically very dry semi desert environment in summer but in just a few wet months the seeds dropped in summer start to germinate and grow.

Miracle grow patch magic. :)

Do NOT talk to me about fucking Miracle Grow Patch Magic.
Bastard stuff is just sitting there as well. I paid over the odds as it said it would grow in shady areas etc.

HAS IT FUCK!! Only one patch has grown. We water when needed coz of the magic stuff that holds the water and just one are seems to be growing.

I'm- not bitter-.

glad its not me. i stood in large garden centre to day gazing at various seeds, fertileser/seed combo's. all i could see was ££££ !

i am going to leave it for now. the yellow brown patches where put the weed killer down are hideous but the seeds are just sitting there. i will water religiously. Yet i think i need to get rid of more of the scrub stuff.

Only then will i consider more seeds. Perhaps they will grow better in autumn, yet the birds are going get the lot by then. grrr

You could just buy a roll of turf for your bare bits?

Mine I just lobbed down no prep, watered to buggery and it grew.

I had this a few weeks back. Two great packets of grass seed, being eyed up by two of the fattest-looking wood pigeons I've ever seen in my life.
I raked it in and sprinkled the lawn every other night for two weeks. Nothing.
So I then took some of the soil out of last year's patio pots and sprinkled it liberally over the seeds. Re-watered.
Hey presto. Grew in days!
Might be coincidence but worth a try?

hmm, it all seems so weird!!

i am deffo waiting a bit, i t could happen.