The Grass Doctor

How to plant grass seed without the birds eating it up?

I have bare patches on my lawn which I would like to fill with some grass seed, but every time I put seed on the lawn the birds find it and then pick it all up. How can I keep the birds away long enough for the seeds to germinate?

Public Comments

1. Always spread straw over newly planted grass seed. It keeps birds from getting the seed, and helps keep the seed moist.
2. Plant the seeds and cover with straw. If this doesn't work you can buy grass pre grown in patches.
3. straw
4. Straw works well as long as you keep the soil moist, but I use a thin layer of clear plastic over freshly-tilled soil. I sow the seeds, wet the soil and then place the plastic over the soil. A few rocks over and below the plastic let some air in but the birds out. You can get plastic at any home improvement store in the paint section.
5. they make black stuff that you put on corn kerrnls to keep the crows from eating. I forgot the name of it but I heard it don;t taste good. Try crushing moth balls up and sprinkle it over your seed when it rains it will put amonia which will help start your seeds.
6. You might need to just give your lawn a good dose of "liquid feeder" this will usually clear up an dead patches. To replace sod: Work or till the patches without grass, and sow the seeds very thinly. Cover with straw to ensure germination/moisture retention and water well until established. You can also place netting over the straw to completely ward off birds, etc. They sell it at any co-op or Lowes. Netting is usually inexpensive and it is reusable elsewhere. I have read that you can also start the seeds indoors and transplant or you can buy a pallet (450sq ft. for about $50) of sod at any commercial sod farm. Also, consider why your grass has died in the first place! Perhaps you need to replenish your dirt with good top-soil (you should do this in any flower bed every few years.) Also keep sun and water needs in mind as well! If you buy commercial sod, you will need to get the right kind for your area,etc!