Planting Grass seeds, few questions

nyg052003 · 06-10-2010, 09:10 AM

Ok I live in the country ofcourse and have always heard that the birds will indeed eat the seeds you attempt to plant if you just throw them on top of the ground, and especially if they observe you throwing down the seeds. Just wondering some tips to getting the seeds planted without actually tilling the ground then covering back up

jkkyler · 06-10-2010, 09:21 AM

You need to cover the seeds you sow with straw to keep the birds from eating it.

raiderfan · 06-10-2010, 09:24 AM

I don't know man. I've never covered any area that i seeded at my house, and never had an issue with birds. I'll see a couple here and there, but never a real issue. The grass grows in fine.

They make some kind of seed (Pencoated?) or something that is supposed to be a deterrent for the birds to eat it. (Maybe that's why i don't get many birds...)

But the most common thing to do, at least around here in the Northeast, is cover your seeded area with hay. Keeps the birds away, for the most part, and keeps the top soil moist after you water it. I work for a construction company in the summer, and that's what they have done for years, with very good results.

nyg052003 · 06-10-2010, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raiderfan

I don't know man. I've never covered any area that i seeded at my house, and never had an issue with birds. I'll see a couple here and there, but never a real issue. The grass grows in fine.

They make some kind of seed (Pencoated?) or something that is supposed to be a deterrent for the birds to eat it. (Maybe that's why i don't get many birds...)

But the most common thing to do, at least around here in the Northeast, is cover your seeded area with hay. Keeps the birds away, for the most part, and keeps the top soil moist after you water it. I work for a construction company in the summer, and that's what they have done for years, with very good results.

ok thanks

jkkyler · 06-10-2010, 10:05 AM

Actually they use straw not hay

nyg052003 · 06-10-2010, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkkyler

Actually they use straw not hay

i actually have alot of straw in my yard from all them pine trees damn but thats alot of raking lol

**PFC5** · 06-10-2010, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nyg052003

i actually have alot of straw in my yard from all them pine trees damn but thats alot of raking lol

That is not straw but pine needles. Not the same.

oblioman · 06-10-2010, 10:49 AM

Pine needles are acidic. Use them around azalias, rhodo's, and even hydrangeas (changes the color of the flowers). But ya can't smoke 'em.

nyg052003 · 06-10-2010, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PFC5

That is not straw but pine needles. Not the same.

well i doubt i will use either anyway. I will probably just have it tilled up some, throw down the seeds then tilled over again to cover up the seeds or use a rake.

**PFC5** · 06-10-2010, 02:10 PM

You do not want the seeds planted too deep or they will not grow. I would suggest tilling then a light raking to just barely bury the seeds. Also remember that once the seeds get wet they must remain wet or they die.

nyg052003 · 06-29-2010, 08:18 PM

Can i use potting soil from family dollar to put over the seeds? I saw on youtube that its good to put some topsoil or garden mulch over the seeds to help keep birds from easily getting them as well so would potting soil from family dollar be basically using the same thing?

Loves2Watch · 06-29-2010, 08:52 PM

Many people use cloth feed sacks (burlap) on top of the seed which helps keep it damp/wet (which it has to be during the sprouting process) and also keeps the birds from getting it. Potting or top soil may cover the seed too much. In order for a seed to sprout it requires heat, sunlight and moisture.

nyg052003 · 06-29-2010, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loves2Watch

Many people use cloth feed sacks on top of the seed which helps keep it damp/wet (which it has to be during the sprouting process) and also keeps the birds from getting it. Potting or top soil may cover the seed too much. In order for a seed to sprout it requires heat, sunlight and moisture.

yeah i know everything I have saw said to not cover much at all so i def wasnt gonna cover thick, just sprinkle some and also make up a scarecrow in the area , maybe a few scarecrows

Loves2Watch · 06-29-2010, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nyg052003

yeah i know everything I have saw said to not cover much at all so i def wasnt gonna cover thick, just sprinkle some and also make up a scarecrow in the area , maybe a few scarecrows

It might work, try it and see...

nyg052003 · 06-29-2010, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loves2Watch

It might work, try it and see...

yeah might try a little section and see how it comes out, might even do that in a few weeks. At least with that little section , i can water it definitley every day even during this weather, and also water twice a day

06-10-2010, 09:10 AM	#1
nyg052003 Love Entertainment Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 657	Planting Grass seeds, few questions Ok I live in the country ofcourse and have always heard that the birds will indeed eat the seeds you attempt to plant if you just throw them on top of the ground, and especially if they observe you throwing down the seeds. Just wondering some tips to getting the seeds planted without actually tilling the ground then covering back up

06-10-2010, 09:21 AM	#2
jkkyler I bleed for HD Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Ohio Age: 41 Posts: 1,619	You need to cover the seeds you sow with straw to keep the birds from eating it. __________________ HT- Panasonic TH-50PZ800U 1080p plasma, Panasonic PT-AX200u LCD projector, Elite Vmax Electric 100' screen, Onkyo TX-NR905 AVR, Paradigm Titan Monitor v5 fronts, Paradigm CC-190 v6 center, Paradigm Atom Monitors v5 surrounds(x4), HSU research VTF-2 sub, xbox360+hd-dvd player ,Sony BDP-S550 blu-ray, D*tv H21 HD-DVR Bedroom: Insignia NS-lcd26, Samsung BDP-1400 blu-ray Den - Vizio 20" 1080p LCD + Samsung BD-p1600 Whether you think you can, or think you can't - You're Right

06-10-2010, 09:24 AM	#3
raiderfan 360 BEER CREW MEMBER Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: YOUR MOM'S HOUSE Age: 32 Posts: 3,023	I don't know man. I've never covered any area that i seeded at my house, and never had an issue with birds. I'll see a couple here and there, but never a real issue. The grass grows in fine. They make some kind of seed (Pencoated?) or something that is supposed to be a deterrent for the birds to eat it. (Maybe that's why i don't get many birds...) But the most common thing to do, at least around here in the Northeast, is cover your seeded area with hay. Keeps the birds away, for the most part, and keeps the top soil moist after you water it. I work for a construction company in the summer, and that's what they have done for years, with very good results. __________________ System: XBOX 360 Gamertag: BEERFLVDMILKERS

06-10-2010, 10:05 AM	#5
jkkyler I bleed for HD Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Ohio Age: 41 Posts: 1,619	Actually they use straw not hay __________________ HT- Panasonic TH-50PZ800U 1080p plasma, Panasonic PT-AX200u LCD projector, Elite Vmax Electric 100' screen, Onkyo TX-NR905 AVR, Paradigm Titan Monitor v5 fronts, Paradigm CC-190 v6 center, Paradigm Atom Monitors v5 surrounds(x4), HSU research VTF-2 sub, xbox360+hd-dvd player ,Sony BDP-S550 blu-ray, D*tv H21 HD-DVR Bedroom: Insignia NS-lcd26, Samsung BDP-1400 blu-ray Den - Vizio 20" 1080p LCD + Samsung BD-p1600 Whether you think you can, or think you can't - You're Right

06-10-2010, 02:10 PM	#10
PFC5 Super Moderator Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 34,767	You do not want the seeds planted too deep or they will not grow. I would suggest tilling then a light raking to just barely bury the seeds. Also remember that once the seeds get wet they must remain wet or they die. __________________ Denon AVR-887 Klipsch RP-5 Pwred Towers (mains) (525 watts peak each 12"Subs) All Klipsch RC-25(ctr),(2)SS1(surr),(2)SS1(rearSurr) Toshiba (2)HD-A20,PS3,BD35 For SACD/DVD-A Samsung HD-841 Panny 50pz80u plasma SETTINGS RCA HD50LPW162 50"DLP w/HD2+ SA 3250HD 47" LCD+Yamaha5790+HD-A1(bedroom) Harmony 680 + (2) 670s (amazing remote/support) Game room with Onkyo receiver & B&W Speakers The_Cable_Game Take the high ground and be happier PSN: PFC5

06-10-2010, 10:49 AM	#8
oblioman L2W,,,Godspeed Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Someville TN Posts: 7,223	Pine needles are acidic. Use them around azalias, rhodo's, and even hydrangeas (changes the color of the flowers). But ya can't smoke 'em.

06-29-2010, 08:18 PM	#11
nyg052003 Love Entertainment Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 657	Can i use potting soil from family dollar to put over the seeds? I saw on youtube that its good to put some topsoil or garden mulch over the seeds to help keep birds from easily getting them as well so would potting soil from family dollar be basically using the same thing?

06-29-2010, 08:52 PM	#12
Loves2Watch Natures Beauty Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Evermore Posts: 18,432	Many people use cloth feed sacks (burlap) on top of the seed which helps keep it damp/wet (which it has to be during the sprouting process) and also keeps the birds from getting it. Potting or top soil may cover the seed too much. In order for a seed to sprout it requires heat, sunlight and moisture. __________________ Friends don't let friends buy Korean brand TV's or Blu-ray players. Main HT Room TV, Projector, Receiver, Speakers, Blu-ray player, HD DVD player, Dish Network HD DVR, 300 Disc CD Changer and so on. Last edited by Loves2Watch; 06-29-2010 at 09:07 PM.