Grass seed or turf?

[tearinghair]

We're planning to cover a smallish area of the garden (previously bushes) in grass. It's on a slight slope. Would you advise seed or turf? If seed, what's the easiest way to stop the birds from eating it? We have a large number of woodpigeons in the fir tree just beyond it, and loads of smaller birds too.

[hammerman]

Purely your choice....

Seed pros and cons....seed is cheaper and easier to put down. Its also available almost anywhere...even argos or supermarkets sell it these days. However, the seed bed needs much more preperation and it may take weeks, if not a few months for the seed to come up, and then it may need over seeding if the germination has been sporadic. You also cant walk on seed for a few months.

Turf pros and cons.....can be expensive, heavy to move and awkward to lay. Only usually available from turf nurseries. Needs plenty of watering to stop shrinkage. But, you get an instant lawn and boy does it look good when it's down. You don't have to be so thorough when doing preparation and you can walk on it after a short time.

For me....turf all the way.

[tearinghair]

Thanks for your thoughts, Hammerman. We'd just about decided on turf when we realised the 'heavy to move, awkward to lay' aspect that you mention. Currently trying to work out the logistics of getting it up to the top of the garden before making a final decision. Not being able to walk on it for several weeks wouldn't be a problem as it's off to the side and behind a bush.

[pillj123]

we chose seed...and only dug the area very roughly.The birds can be kept off with cheap netting,if its not massive.Seedlings came up quickly..(late spring)and because it was a good all rounder,bought at our local garden centre,by weight,not brand name.Extra see can be easily sprinkled in the places you miss,and it soon blends in! Good luck!

[ethandron]

We seeded a similar area last year and were quite surprised how well it did, always having used turf in the past. We just roughly raked the soil and threw the seed down, didn't do anything to stop the birds eating it...and we get a lot of birds in our garden...and it came up very quickly and thick. I'd give seed a go, we'd certainly use it again for such a small area.

[tearinghair]

Many thanks pillj and ethandron, that's very encouraging.

[rowanwitch]

handfull of seed for the lawn two for the birds unless you net it

[tearinghair]

right.........I'll bear that in mind, rowanwitch! The woodpigeons are already so fat that they waddle.

[rowanwitch]

they do that anyway...