How to protect grass seed from birds

This is a frustration known all too well by many a homeowner but luckily there are ways in which you can stay vigilant against birds ruining your freshly seeded lawn.

1. Use visual deterrents

Birds will be scared away from your lawn if they see visual deterrents such as plastic animal decoys such as owls or by introducing the farmer's favourite - a scarecrow. Alternatively you could consider hanging pieces of reflective tape from trees or fences (or even get use out of old CD's!) - the shine from the tape / CD'S acts as an effective scare tactic and prevents birds from making a meal of your grass seed and lawn entirely!

2. Create a noise deterrent

Birds are reluctant to settle in noisy areas, so consider hanging tin cans from a piece of string or wind chimes to put them off. We're partial to more than just a bit of a breeze in the UK, so a gusty spell and curious clinking of chimes is sure to send them on their way.

3. Place netting over the seeded area

One of the most certain solutions to protecting grass seed from birds is to put a cover on it but this isn't always the easiest method. Make sure to pin your covering down and also ensure that some light can get through it as the seed will still need this to grow.

4. Alternative food

Perhaps the most enjoyable method of preventing birds from eating your seed is to offer them something else. By providing an alternative food source the birds will then generally favour this over the grass seed. Place bird feeders throughout your garden to attract birds away from the grass seed.

By following some of these steps your grass seed will remain undisturbed and you will see a fully germinated lawn within a matter of weeks - after your seed is germinated there is no need to continue covering it or using deterrents - but you can keep feeding the birds if you wish!