Does lawn seed actually work?

Hi everyone,
I have used Miracle Gro lawn seed to repair my lawn patches. Before applying the seed I have raked it, spray the seed, then cover with mixture of compost/topsoil. Its's been 3 weeks now, but very little grass have started appearing sparsely. The rest seems no chance to grow now.
See picture. Is it best to abandon the idea of seeding and lay new turf in the patch area?
Any advice please where I am going wrong.
Many Thanks

 

I have been quite exasperated with my seeding too. Despite the sack saying "quick.." it was about 15 days before I saw anything. Large areas of the soil that I had sewn in have not germinated though.

My theory is the soil temperature being too cold. My garden is wet and muddy all the time, even after two weeks of no rain it will still soak through your jeans if you kneel down. I figured if it was wet then it must also be cold. Just my theory.

 

I assume you mean spread rather than spray the seed. I sowed some grass seed on a slope I'd made at the end of March, beginning of April and and it took about three weeks to start to appear, but is now quite thick. So I would give it a bit longer and water if it's dry.

 

Ok thanks Nigel. yes I meant spread.
I'll wait a bit longer., perhaps another 4 weeks before doing anything. I have been watering regularly.

Is it worth asding any fertiliser (or lawn feed)
at this stage?

 

Shouldn't need anything at the moment apart from watering if it stays dry. I'd hold off any form of feed until the autumn, but I'm not a lawn person; mine is more of a meadow/nature reserve, gets cut once a month April to September, no feed, no weedkiller, no watering, it's lumpy tufty and full of life.