Marianne's Response

Lawn renovation problems: birds and leaves

Followed your lawn renovation advice last week, but now have maple leaves falling on part of the over-seeded area. Is leaving the layer of leaves on the lawn harmful? Can I walk on the lawn to rake off the leaves, or does that compact the treated area too much? Also, the birds have been feasting on my work. Do I have any grass seed left? Thanks for your input!

Posted by Darrell Axtell on September 17, 2014

Marianne's Response

Tread softly (flat soled shoes, no boots with heels) and rake off the maple leaves every few days. Cover the seed with damp peat moss to hide it from the birds. Make sure the peat moss is spread evenly and not in large clumps that would bury the seed. Don't worry, the birds will not eat every seed and you can easily add more seed in a few weeks when you see where the bare patches are. You can also wait until spring and then overseed the area if needed. Your new lawn will be fine. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti