The No 1 Way to Protect Grass Seed

Covering freshly sown grass seed with polythene sheeting to protect it from birds is a great idea.

For starters, you don't need to water until you remove the polythene sheet. You can seed in slightly lower temperatures because the polythene sheet will have a greenhouse effect, speeding germination. You're also protecting your hard work and investment from weed seeds and the possibility of a torrential downpour that could wash your seed away.

Covering with polythene sheeting is a must on slopes!

Builders, merchants, and hardware suppliers sell very large rolls of strong polythene sheeting. On average, if you shop around, you can get 4m x 25m clear 250 gauge for £16. This means 4 rolls cover a tennis court for just over £60! It's the best protection and insurance for your seed and hard work. 

Preparing the Lawn for Seeding

The polythene sheet may need to be down between 7 and 15 days, depending on the outside temperature. Because you're going to cover the lawn with polythene, rain or water will not penetrate, so you must ensure enough moisture is in the ground to germinate the seeds BEFORE you cover it.

Do this by heavily watering the prepared ground for several days. You want it wet but not muddy. Now let the surface dry for half a day so that you can walk on it without the soil sticking to your shoes. Wear smooth soled shoes to reduce disturbance of the soil surface.

So, lightly score the soil surface with a rake by just dragging it over the surface. No pressure required and you should only be going a few millimeters deep. Spread your seed, use a light broom to brush the scored soil and seed so you have a smooth surface. Most of the seed will still be visible and should not be buried. Now firm the seed into the soil with a quarter filled water roller or use the lawn mower if it has a roller. Do not have the engine running!

How to Lay Polythene Sheeting

Start by laying to cover one edge of the lawn so that the edge of the polythene is on an adjoining surface. You do not want the edges of the lawn to dry by having insufficient cover. Fix in position with stones or bricks. Do not scrimp as a stiff wind can get underneath and carry the whole lot away! See the left side of the image.

If your lawn is less than 4m wide, you can cover it with one width, but you may need a second sheet alongside if it's wider. Make sure there is a good overlap, and use ground pegs available from garden centres to peg the sheeting into the soil surface, as in the bottom and right-hand side of the image.

When Should I Remove the Polythene Grass Seed Cover?

Remove it once most of the seedlings are 3cm long. It won't hurt to stay on longer as long as there is no hot weather.

Can I use Polythene at any Time of Year?

Hot weather can raise temperatures underneath the polythene to dangerous levels that can literally cook your grass, so do not use in the summer. Spring and autumn are the traditional seeding times, so this is when to use it. If you want to seed in warmer temperatures, consider the same procedure, but use a garden fleece instead.

Unfortunately, polythene will not raise temperatures sufficiently in winter to enable satisfactory seed germination. Most seeds require at least 10 degrees ground temperature to germinate.