Why Put Straw on Grass Seed

During the process of sowing seeds, straw mulch is a popular selection in aiding grass to grow. There are various types of straw mulch available, but the most popular one is wheat straw.

Function

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Straw mulch helps to protect new grass seeds by retaining moisture in the soil.

Types

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There are various types of straw including pine straw, straw made from alfafa plants and wheat straw. Wheat straw is the most popular type of straw for mulching.

Benefits

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Some of the benefits of straw besides retaining moisture in the soil is to prevent erosion before the grass has a chance to grow.

Potential

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Although there are benefits in using straw mulch, it sometimes contains weed seeds. Weeds can pose a threat to new seed growth as the grass seed and weeds will compete for nutrients in the soil.

Considerations

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Although straw mulch is extremely popular, there are other types of mulch available to assist in retaining moisture in the soil. Check with your local lawn and garden center for additional recommendations.

Put Straw On Grass Seed

One of the goals when planting a new lawn is keeping the grass seed in place until it germinates and establishes a root system to anchor it to the soil. All subsequent leaves grow from the center, and each is taller than the ones before it. As it decomposes, the straw contributes valuable nutrients to the soil. A bale of straw should cover roughly 1,000 square feet of lawn if it's applied so that the soil is visible through it. Grass seed should be tamped down lightly so as not to crush it, and the straw applied before the initial watering in order to avoid walking on wet, newly seeded soil. According to Sunset, it's best not to press grass seed too deeply into the soil with a weighted roller, as this may compact the soil and cause it to dry out more quickly.