This month offers optimal conditions for planting new grass or repairing existing patches due to the mild weather, which promotes seed growth.
To safeguard newly sown seeds from wildlife and pests, Chris McIlroy, a lawn care expert at The Grass People, has one quick and effective method.
He explained: “After seeding, it’s crucial to keep birds and wildlife from eating the seeds before they have a chance to sprout.
“While wildlife can be beneficial to gardens, they can also disrupt the growth of new lawns. Reflective objects create additional light and movement, which can effectively scare birds away.
“An economical option is to hang old CDs on bamboo sticks around your garden.”
Other effective deterrents include wind chimes for sound and strips of tin foil.
Birds are deterred by the texture of tin foil, so placing it on the ground or suspending it from above can help keep them away.
Avoid using grass seed labeled as “bird-resistant” since these often have artificial coatings that do not guarantee bird protection.
For physical barriers, consider tarpaulins or netting over seedlings but remember to periodically check their growth.
Boost your lawn’s health by applying fertiliser, which aids in recovery from summer damage and prepares it for the colder months.
“Feeding your lawn will help it recover from any summer damage but also prepare it for autumn and winter,” McIlroy shared.
“If you have sown, wait until the seeds have germinated before applying fertiliser to these areas. We recommend using a feed that contains phosphate for the first feed after germination.
“However, if you are covering your new seeds and no rain water can get to them, it’s best to feed at the time of seeding.
“For new lawns, you can start applying a seasonal feed three months after sowing seed or three months after applying a starter feed whichever is later.”