I've got Weeds in my Lawn after Seeding
This is quite normal for three reasons:
- If you have turned over the soil during preparation, then you will have brought viable but dormant seeds to the surface
- Any bare soil, whether from newly prepared or after scarifying is a magnet for airborne seeds
- If you brought in additional soil this will contain weed seeds unless it has been sterilised
Definition of a Weed
A weed is a plant growing in the wrong place.
Reducing Weed Invasion into New Lawns
Try to avoid the peak flowering and seeding season for weeds. This is usually April to July which means autumn is the ideal time for seeding new lawns or over seeding existing lawns.
Getting Rid of Weeds in a New Lawn
You can split unwanted seedlings into 3 groups:
- Tree and bush seedlings
- Upright growing weeds
- Low growing weeds
Tree, bush and upright growing seedlings will generally not survive the first few cuts with the mower so don’t panic as this could be the vast majority of the problem. The ones that will remain are the low growing ones such as dandelions, daisies and clovers which need to be manually removed of killed.
Using a Weed Killer on a New Lawn
Weed killers will kill the vast majority of the more common weeds. Not all but most. The side effect of weed killers is that they will also detrimentally affect grass if used too often or at too greater strength.
Grass seedlings are young and tender plants so will suffer the side effects more readily. To ensure your efforts are safe for the new grass use the right weed killer when the grass is at least 3 months old.
Using Weed Killer before Sowing Seed
Pretty much the same thing applies. Weed killer has a residual effect so may harm seeds or seedlings if applied prior to seeding. Once again the safe advice is to leave a 3 month gap between weeding and seeding.
Weed Killers for use on Grass over 3 Months Old
More Grass Seeding Techniques and Problems
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![How to Plant Grass Seed for Guaranteed Success]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsA step by step guide on how to prepare the ground, sow your grass seed, protect and nurture it to create a brilliant lawn in a matter of weeks.
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![All about Grass Seed Germination]()
Planting and growing a lawn from grass seed requires warmth, moisture and air to ensure success. Learn what's needed for a great lawn in quick order.
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![Seed vs Turf]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsTemperature and moisture are the two main factors when it comes to planting and germinating grass seed whether that's for a new lawn or when over seeding.
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![How to Water Grass Seed]()
Watering grass seed is quite different from the way you would water a lawn. The golden rule is never let the seed dry out so frequent light watering is needed.
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![When to Feed New Grass]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsFor convenience you can fertilise the seeded lawn area on the day of sowing however, due to changing weather patterns this may not always be best.
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![Why Grass Seed doesn’t Grow!]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsGrass seed is easy to germinate and grow into a lawn if you get the planting, moisture and temperature right. Here are some very common grass seed sowing mistakes.
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![Stop Birds Eating my Grass Seed]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsWhether you're planting grass seed for a new lawn or just seeding a few patches birds can be a problem so here are some ways to stop birds eating your seed
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![The No 1 Best Way to Protect Grass Seed]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsCovering your precious newly planted grass seed with polythene sheeting is not only an effective protection from birds but also drying winds and torrential downpours. Very cheap, easy to lay and speeds germination.
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![How Long Will Grass Seed Keep For?]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsIn general grass seed will keep for up to 5 years if fresh to begin with. The biggest influence on germination is how well it is stored not the age.
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![Is my Grass Seed Dead?]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsA simple test for viability. This test can be performed on grass seed that has been sown or is yet to be sown. Ideal for checking if old seed will germinate.
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![When can I Start Mowing my New Grass?]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsCare must be taken when cutting a new lawn for the first time as the grass is tender and the roots are shallow. Sharp mower blades and dry grass are essential.
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![When can I Walk on my New Lawn?]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsThe best way to decide is not by time but by the condition of the grass. Grass seed or turf laid in perfect conditions in April in Cornwall will establish twice as quickly as that sown in Aberdeen.
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![Winter Lawn Damage]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsDuring winter several things can go wrong with your lawn from grass thinning a little, complete loss of grass in some areas to an invasion of moss and strange coloured patches in the lawn.
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![Grass Seed for Dry Areas]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsSandy or poor soils and the drier east of the country are presented with a challenge when it comes to lawn care. Choosing drought tolerant grasses will help.
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![Grass Seed for Clay Soil]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsWhen dealing with clay soil, it's important to choose grass seed varieties that are well-suited to these conditions. Here are a few grass seed options that tend to perform well in clay soils.
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![What Lawn Seed for Shaded Areas]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsChoosing grass seed for wet shade, building and fence shade, dry shade from trees and partial shade from objects distant from the lawn
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![Grass Seed for Under Trees - Dry Shade]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsThis is a dry place where trees or other plants out compete the grass for ground water and may also prevent showers reaching the lawn.
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![Grass Seed for Heavy Shade or Wet Shade]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsAreas of lawn where little light gets to the grass for long periods usually from autumn through to spring.
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![Slow Growing Grass for Lawns]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsFor slow-growing grass varieties suitable for UK lawns you can consider the following options though there are considerable downsides!
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![Should I let my Lawn go to Seed?]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsLetting your lawn go to seed is a personal decision that depends on your preferences and goals for your grass. Nature vs nurture!
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![Can I mix Grass Seeds Together?]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsLawn seed will already be a mixture of a variety of grass species. Mixing two together before sowing just halves the benefits and doesn't increase them.
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![Over Seeding a Lawn]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsOver seeding with grass seeds that are different to your existing grass will change the composition of the lawn. Expect a 10 to 20% change each over seeding.
