A remarkably useful experiment

For those who have deluded themselves into thinking that I am over-absorbed about all things relating to lawns, here is a fascinating experiment which is bound to interest anyone concerned with origins, big bangs, and other theories.

Herewith a photograph of our newly-created, highly sophisticated laboratory (which - "careful with my plate!" - Mrs Lao, at first, considered with condescending indulgence but now piously waters four times a day!).

The object of this rare endeavour is to measure and illustrate the diurnal (and, for all we know, nocturnal) microcosmic progress of the seeds we are introducing as gradual replacement to our existing lawn: the so-called “Luxury” selection from Johnsons (a superb brand recommended to us on this Forum). You have understood that we are not intending to use the exemplified sample exclusively, and that indeed more of the said seed has been implanted on the site itself, the laboratory being proposed solely for observational purposes.

You are seeing the result of 22 days of lovingly observed growth (sown on the 1st of September on a 5mm a layer of Westland topdressing carefully spread over a quadrupled sheet of moistened kitchen paper, kept at temperatures between 16 and 22 C).

The “soldiers” appeared after the packet-predicted 9 days, and currently measure a reassuring 15 to 18 mm (as yet too small to see in the lawn itself, but witness to the philosophical fact that because you can’t see something does not mean that it is not there, this assertion having to be balanced by the equally philosophical fact that because you can see something, does not mean that it is there …

 

I've just restarted my own lawn reseeding , its covered in fleece at the moment well most of it seen that fat wood pigeon pecking at it earlier .I can see the odd seeding but expect/hope lots of visible growth by the end of the week.

 

@LawnAndOrder - an impressive experiment - though of course if one uses the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, your observation of the grass is affecting its growth. So your lawn may well be behaving completely differently.

 

I have to take issue with the proposal that just because you see something it doesn't mean that it is there. What are you on?

 

Ah yes, the plastic trays from the pound shop, I eat my dinner off those!

 

Not heard of those? Perhaps they don't happen in your latitude?

 

Ahhhhh...meteorologists Why didn't you say?

 

In this instance and experiment I am happy to report that Heisenberg and Berkeley are proving, respectively, indeterminant and immaterial: the response in situ is identical to that in the laboratory; I trust this will change when the roots outside discover greater depths of nutrients.

 

Good to hear from you! I take the opportunity to let you know that the excellent advice you once gave regarding a tiny Virginia creeper we had planted with more hopes than certainty has really paid off; here it is, happy and vibrant (even though it has already lost a good third of its leaves). From 60cm, it has in record time grown to two and a half metres, despite being in a container. Even from a distance, it has impressive presence. It can almost take one’s eyes off the lawn!

 

I'm glad it's doing well Perhaps think about a paler pink Cosmos next year? But it's OK, it's OK, I'm sure my vision will be back to normal in a few weeks time....

 

Yes, I was nearly blinded trying to take that photograph.

You are aware, of course, that the flowers are Mrs Lao’s domain although nowadays, stimulated by inexplicable surges of generosity, I help her out with the weeding. I showed her your message, I can’t remember exactly what she said but it was very nice; she then added that apparently you can’t tell from the seeds what the colours of the petals are going to be. We found the same thing with our two children who came out quite differently despite everything at source being exactly the same.

Anyway, I’ve made a note for next year to keep you posted on the Cosmic shades .

Keep well!

LawnAndOrder