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Gardening

Has anyone found a grass seed which birds won't eat?

(10 Posts)
Daddima Sun 12-Mar-17 19:15:43

As above.
Back garden grass is a bit patchy, so we'd like to thicken it up.

Greyduster Sun 12-Mar-17 19:54:39

I can't help you with that, Daddima, but your post immediately made me think of my dear sister, who went into a local hardware shop that sold grass seed and asked for some. "What sort would you like?” she was asked. "I'd like some of that with the daisies in it!" she said. Bless her.

J52 Sun 12-Mar-17 20:10:51

Monty Don suggested planting the seeds in plug pots until they germinate and then planting them. In the past I've just mixed the seed with compost left it a couple of days and then carefully put it on the bald patch. Seemed to work.

TriciaF Sun 12-Mar-17 20:18:18

Last autumn we had to pay someone sad to clear, plough over rake and prepare a large area for grass. Previously used for potatoes. We bought the seed, which is suitable for our soil, and he spread it with a good covering of soil. He used a tractor with heavy equipment.
It's coming up nicely, and the birds have never bothered with it. I think you need to put a layer of soil on top.

tanith Sun 12-Mar-17 21:12:10

I've patch repaired my lawn several times I always sprinkle soil over the top then lightly tamp it down and cover with chicken wire its always worked for me.

Bluegayn58 Tue 14-Mar-17 05:41:13

I find that the fast germination time seeds seem to be left alone. Not sure if there's a coating on them that birds don't like, but the wood pigeons (the greatest threat in my garden) seem to ignore it.

I buy the B&Q version - Verve Quick Start Lawn Seed -which germinates within a few days.

joannapiano Tue 14-Mar-17 08:32:04

We tried growing grass seed in plug pots and they all failed when transplanted into the lawn. We use seed in a big plastic container from the garden centre, that sprinkles the right amount over bare patches. Then cover with a couple of garden canes. It has to be watered every day, but works well.

whitewave Tue 14-Mar-17 10:20:46

Sow one for the garden one to fail and one for the birds.

Grandma2213 Wed 15-Mar-17 01:21:01

I recently bought some wild bird seed for the bird table. One type has been left on the table and is clearly not the seed of choice for our birds! Today I have discovered some of it has started to grow into what looks like thick grass around the edges of the wood. Unfortunately I don't know what kind of seed it is!! Maybe I'll just randomly scatter it on the lawn.

vampirequeen Wed 15-Mar-17 08:56:38

I find the grass seed they put in bird food grows the best. No matter what I do the birds spread it about and it always takes. Sadly I have no idea what it is.