Will I regret reseeding?

[Townorcountrysideliving]

So half our lawn is depressing soil and dirt. This is a result of grass dying in the shade (moss thrived) and the removal of lots of shrubs. DH convinced me that reseeding is the way to go and we'll have this done professionally. Upside is that they will provide shade tolerant grass seeds. We had our law re-turfed a few years ago and the only bits that didn't survive was the large patch in the shade. I'm now dreading a summer of no use of the lawn for the kids as I've read that newly seeding lawn, if it takes, shouldn't be walked on for 8-12 weeks.

I'm wondering whether we should returf instead and try get a shade tolerant turf? Downside is that the garden will have different shades of grass in different areas and, at this point, I'm not sure we'd get any company to fit us in before summer.

Has anyone reseeded successfully and, if so, how long has it taken to grow so that it's robust enough to walk on? I feel so sad looking at our barren lawn!

Thanks!

Hoping to hear lots of positive stories about reseeding! DH was so passionate about reseeding vs returfing. Not sure if I should have stuck to my guns and gone for an instant garden even though i agree that a seeded lawn, if it takes, will be a more robust option long term.

I have just reseeded a patch about 1m x 2m with shade tolerant grass. I bought the seeds from Wilko, so cheap. It’s taken about 3 weeks for then to germinate. I did make an elaborate twine and silver foil construction to keep birds and cats off. I’m not aiming for anything other than green grass.
My DS has extended his lawn by adding turf last summer, it was easy to do and has survived the winter. I think the turf can be walked on pretty much as soon as it is laid, but the seedlings need time to establish. The main thing is to keep them well watered.
If my seedlings don’t work I’ll buy turf.

Could you section of the bit with the seeds from the rest?

@ginandwineandbaileys unfortunately, the bit that needs reseeding is right at the back where we need access to our storage. House is bursting at the seams so we keep a lot of our stuff there.

@Beebumble2 we are being charged £300 to reseed less than 20 metres!

One positive story but it’s not the same as your circumstances. My brother ( who has MH difficulties) had let his front garden go to rack and ruin. Brambles, ground elder, nettles et al. We paid about £300 to get someone to clear that lot but there were still lots of roots. The gardener advised throwing some grass seed down and mowing regularly. I was dubious and thought we should turf but it has worked. It took a year to turn the garden around which considering how bad it was isn’t too long. I was surprised at how well the grass seeds took.

Town wow. Just try to get as many weeds out as possible, rake it over, then trample over it to flatten. Sow tight grass seed (£6 per box Wilco) water in and construct a web of twine, tin foil and betting to deter cats and birds. Wait 4 weeks and hey presto grass. All for about £18 and a bit of time.

Tough* not tight!

Never heard of not walking on it for 12 weeks.
Have reseeded many times (dogs). Select a tough variety, cover it with compost or straw if you can or the birds will eat half of it. Water prodigiously. In 7-10 days you should see growth. Wait until it’s 3 inches before first, high cut then hey presto. Process takes 3-4 weeks in growing season. Worked for us every time for years (until the dogs start peeing again 🙄)

@DenisetheMenace okay this makes me feel a lot better!!

Good
Covering the seed is important, birds can destroy all of your efforts very quickly. Just enough so the seed is hidden.
Good luck.

We are forever digging up parts of the lawn for drains, or chopping down a tree, or pulling up a path etc etc. We just sprinkle grass seed down, put the sprinkler on it for 30 mins morning and night for two weeks and then leave it alone. Mow it once the soil looks like it will stay put and not be pulled into the mower by the grass!

If you need regular access just walk over it! It might mean you end up with a slightly sparse area where you've disturbed the grass as it began to grow, but if so then Chuck some more seed down

@HappyAsASandboy good advice!