Tilling before seeding

Discussion in 'Lawns' started by Pipcas, Oct 25, 2024.

  1. Pipcas

    Pipcas Apprentice Gardener

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    I've an area has been cleared apart from a bit of wild grass, should i till the area before sowing grass seed? is it too late to sow grass seed this year? tia
     
  2. fairygirl

    fairygirl Total Gardener

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    Hi @Pipcas - what do you mean by 'a bit of wild grass' ? Is this for a domestic lawn? Often it isn't necessary to thoroughly uproot the ground in any way, unless it's been a field or similar, and even then, some basic attention will be adequate unless you want a perfect bowling green.
    A photo will help, but it's really too late in most places for sowing grass seed successfully. If you can give your rough location that helps with advice too, as we don't all share the same conditions. :smile:
     
  3. infradig

    infradig Total Gardener

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    By 'tilling', do you mean you contemplate digging, rotovating or just disturbing the surface?
    Your need is to be able to barely bury the seed to ensure good soil contact, so as to allow moisture absorbtion and to provide some initial security so that the emerging seed radicle does not lift the seed out.It will also hide the seed from bird predation.
    If you dig or rotovate you will create voids that will need consolidating, lumps that need crushing , also stones; and will bring in to the germination layer, all manner of weed seeds from the seed bank below. This will make for much work in correcting these issues.
    If major renovation of the plot is necessary ie it has previous problems such as tree roots, unlevel surfaces, obvious rocks and stones, rubble etc then you will need to attend to these if requiring a fine lawn, prior to sowing.
     
  4. Pipcas

    Pipcas Apprentice Gardener

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    Hi, it is a domestic lawn, however I'm not expecting "bowling green', just grass, I'm in County Durham
     
  5. Pipcas

    Pipcas Apprentice Gardener

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    Hi thanks for that, the more I've read about it the more I think a good raking will be sufficient
     
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