Don’t let birds ruin your fall lawn: 5 ways to shield newly sown lawn seed
How to keep hungry birds off your newly sown grass seed: A lawn expert shares what to do.
After aerating and preparing your lawn for overseeding, it's common to encounter a flock of birds eager to feast on the fresh seed. To protect your newly sown lawn, consider covering the seed with polythene sheeting, which is the most reliable method. This sheeting is inexpensive, easy to obtain, and completely bird-proof. Be sure to weigh down the edges to prevent it from blowing away and remove it promptly after germination to avoid overheating the soil.
Garden fleece is another cost-effective option that warms the soil and allows rain to pass through, but it still requires regular watering. Alternatively, you can use fine mesh netting, but it must be supported off the ground to prevent ground-feeding birds from accessing the seed. If covering your lawn isn't feasible, consider increasing your seed sowing rate to compensate for the potential loss.
Providing an alternative food source, such as sunflower seeds or bird feeders, can also deter birds from targeting your grass seed. Lastly, fertilizing your lawn with a phosphorus-rich fertilizer can hasten root development, reducing the birds' chances of destroying your seedlings.
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