Brno-Lesná – experimental overseeding on dry slopes
In spring 2025, we surveyed the condition of local lawns in the Lesná housing estate and looked for places most affected by drought and summer overheating. It became clear that the most sun-exposed slopes were the most stressed, with vegetation often sparse and poorly closed. An experimental overseeding with regional seed therefore followed in autumn at selected sites to test whether lawns under these extreme conditions can be gradually improved.
What did the survey show?
The survey was carried out on 80 plots measuring 2 × 2 metres, located in sunny and shaded places and at varying distances from paths. It showed that many lawns in Lesná are relatively species-poor despite their age. They are dominated by species that cope well with urban conditions and frequent mowing, such as smooth meadow-grass (Poa pratensis), cock’s-foot (Dactylis glomerata), yarrow (Achillea millefolium agg.) and ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea).
In the driest places, annual plants also occur more frequently. These dry out and disappear during summer. Particularly problematic are species such as soft brome (Bromus hordeaceus) and wall barley (Hordeum murinum), which also have unpleasant awns. As a result, the vegetation becomes less continuous, covers the soil less effectively and becomes even more prone to further drying. This problem was most pronounced on sunny slopes.
What is happening on the site now?
For this reason, several experimental plots with overseeding were established in autumn 2025 in the most stressed areas. The seed used was collected with a special brush harvester from dry grasslands on the south-facing slopes of the protected area Medlánecké kopce.
The aim of the overseeding is to introduce species that provide good ground cover, produce less biomass and can cope with extreme summer conditions. In this way, we are looking for vegetation that will be more stable on dry sites and better adapted to local conditions.
What is the aim of this site?
At this pilot site, we are monitoring whether targeted overseeding with regional seed can help improve the condition of lawns on dry urban sites.
We are particularly interested in:
- whether the oversown species can establish themselves in the existing lawn,
- whether overseeding can improve the continuity of the vegetation,
- whether this approach can support more stable and resilient lawns even under extreme conditions.
Further surveys will take place in the coming years to show whether this type of overseeding can become a suitable tool for the gradual improvement of lawns in the driest places.
Who are we working with?
This site was established through collaboration between the PannFlora project team, the Brno-sever district administration, and the companies responsible for maintaining the grassland areas in the Lesná housing estate.