How can I protect grass seeds from birds?

Question

I am trying to grow grass, it's very hot out there and birds keep eating the seeds.

I put a thin plastic wrap over the ground to protect the seeds from birds and to avoid water to evaporate. Is that a good idea?

Any other suggestions?

Answer 1

No that's a bad idea. You are essentially just suffocating the seeds. You can put up a few sticks with rags attached and they will blow around and scare the birds off. My grandfather used to do this when I was younger. It's almost like a cost effective method to a scare crow, if scare crows worked! Best of luck on your grass!

Answer 2

Not a good idea to cover your seeds with plastic.  They need fresh air and moisture.  Yes, the birds will eat some...that's the natural way of things.  I recommend putting extra grass seed down, so that the  birds can have some, without resulting in a sparse lawn.

If you feel you must cover the grass with something, salt marsh hay is best....a thin coating will allow sun, air and water through.  As a matter of fact it will help retain moisture, since seeds must be kept moist at the beginning of germination.

Plain ole hay or straw is FULL of weed seeds....salt marsh hay is the way to go.

Good Luck.

Answer 3

Throw out some straw on top of the grass.

Answer 4

No..............put peat moss or old sawdust over the top...that covers the seed and helps keep the moisture in........your grass should be up in 3 to 5 days..........your going to have to sprinkler a lot........that's why lawns planted in the fall are better............if you don't keep in damp..........you will lose spots or it.............I used to sprinkle at least 3 to 4 times a day during warm weather.......once it's up keep it damp....and don't get in a hurry to mow.........all the best.

Answer 5

if you don't want to buy a lot of expensive stuff that don't work then apply an extra half pound of grass seed over what is required. the birds will get some, the ants and mice will get some, and you'll have enough left over to grow a good lawn. everybody is happy and you haven't worried about the situation at all. its betters to work with mother nature instead of against her.