Grass Seed

[mazie]

Hi. I'm looking for personal recommendations for some good quality grass seed that's going to germinate. I've tried about 4 different kinds (2012) and it's not turned out well. I have a shaded area of lawn that I need to reseed this year and am getting a bit desperate...Many thanks for any help xx

[RATTER15]

Put turf down, its quicker and more reliable. you can get special grass seed for shady areas.

[mazie]

Thanks ratters...I wanted seed really its a smallish patch. I've seen the stuff for shady areas but I thought I'd give AB a shot before buying even more seed

[TheHangman]

Grass does not cope well with shade. You need to well prepare the area before seeding but as it is a shaded area turf might be a better alternative. Also winter is not a good time for re-grassing.

[mazie]

Hi Hangman...I always prepare well and am not going to reseed until the growing season is well underway...Looks like I might have to consider some turf !

[TheHangman]

Watch for frost or you will waste your time and money turf will require a week or two to bed in you can protect it with some clear plastic sheets.

[mazie]

here's a link to the area I'm struggling with just through the walk through area to the right

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=11cfbj9&s=6

[mazie]

I'm not doing it now, I just wanted some ideas and help ready for March/Arpil time.

[TheHangman]

wise, good luck.

[friedgreentomato]

Hangman interesting, my father has a caravan and he wants grass would he be better using AstroTurf?

[Chipchopper]

As Ratter says, you can buy special seed for shaded areas, maybe that's the way to go
seeding at any time of year shouldn't be a problem, as the seed will just lay there dormant til the temperature rises and the days lengthen
what I can't understand, is that these areas that you've seeded before are continuing to fail, which makes me think the soil is contaminated, so it may be worth considering digging out the patch and replacing with fresh topsoil and compost
I would also recomend covering the seeded area with some chicken wire, while it's getting established to stop birds or animals interfering
Good luck

[TheHangman]

friedgreentom....not personally had any experience with astro turf but my son worked for a firm who was quite big in that line and he reported back it was very popular as there are many types from soft to very hard wearing light green to dark you don't have to mow it it washes clean, down side is its expensive and it is often stolen.

[Chipchopper]

Hi Mazie,
I had a good look at your photo link,that I wish I'd seen earlier, it's a lovely garden you have there and I can see that even grass would struggle to grow in the heavy shade of those trees
I wondered if the crowns of those trees could be thinned, to allow more light through, or maybe you could alter the shape of border to incorporate it in with the rest of it and introduce some woodland plants, which would thrive there, Primula's, I think would do well

[mazie]

Thank you Chipchopper. I have been thinking exactly the same about the border. However, there are a lot of tree roots under that part of the lawn. We are going to be pollarding some of the trees as well. Oh, and Thank you x I'll let you know when it's done and post another picture.

[Chipchopper]

Thank's Mazie,
It would be interesting to see how things turn out

Maybe some small plug-plants between the roots or some wee snowdrops ?

[mazie]

Hi Chipchopper. Cut the trees back, got some seed for shaded areas and put the seed down about 4 weeks ago.... thought you might like to have a look at the progress.....need to sow again next week to thicken it out a bit...

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=2wnp9g9&s=5

[mazie]

Bumped for Chipchopper