When seeding a new lawn, a light layer of protective mulch is applied to create an optimal environment for germination. This material, typically straw, serves a dual purpose by stabilizing the newly spread seed and the underlying soil. By covering the ground, the straw significantly reduces moisture evaporation, ensuring the soil remains damp for the developing seedlings. This protective layer also shields the seeds from being washed away by rain or consumed by birds, which can disrupt the uniformity of the emerging lawn.
Selecting the Right Material for Seeding
Choosing the correct type of mulch is important, as using the wrong material can introduce problems. The primary distinction to understand is the difference between straw and hay. Hay is often composed of the entire grass plant, including seed heads, which means it contains viable seeds that will sprout and compete with the desirable lawn grasses. Using hay can inadvertently seed your lawn with unwanted weeds that are difficult to remove later.
Straw, conversely, is the dry stalk left over after grain crops like wheat, oats, or barley have been harvested and the seed heads removed. This composition makes it a better choice for mulching grass seed because it is largely free of viable weed seeds. Many consumers opt for processed, weed-free straw products sold in convenient bags, as these are often chopped and certified free of contaminants. Specialized seed germination blankets, consisting of straw or wood fiber stitched between layers of lightweight netting, offer an alternative that provides excellent erosion control, especially on sloped areas.
Specific Retail Sources for Purchase
The best place to buy straw often depends on the quantity needed for the project. For large-scale seeding of an entire yard, agricultural co-ops and local feed or farm supply stores are the most cost-effective source for full bales of wheat straw. These locations stock products primarily for farming and livestock purposes, offering the lowest price per volume, though the straw may not be processed or certified “weed-free.”
For smaller projects, like patching bare spots or overseeding, major home improvement retailers, such as Lowe’s or Home Depot, offer smaller, more manageable bags of processed seeding mulch. These bags often contain chopped straw and may include a tackifier, a temporary adhesive that helps the straw lock together and resist being blown away by wind. Online garden suppliers and specialty erosion control companies also sell niche products, including biodegradable paper mulches and straw treated with a tackifier. These specialized options can be beneficial for specific landscape challenges.
Application Rates and Techniques
After acquiring the material, the application technique determines its effectiveness. The goal is to apply the straw lightly enough to protect the seeds without smothering them, which is often described as the “50% visibility” rule. This means the homeowner should still be able to see about half of the soil surface through the layer of straw. Applying the straw too thickly blocks sunlight and traps excessive heat, inhibiting the grass seedlings from emerging and establishing properly.
A light layer also ensures that the delicate seedlings do not struggle to push through a dense mat of straw, which can lead to patchy growth. Immediately following application, the straw should be lightly watered to help it settle and begin to adhere to the soil surface. This initial watering helps to activate any tackifier present and significantly reduces the chance of the straw being displaced by wind or subsequent light rain.
Since most straw mulches used for seeding are derived from cereal grains, they are designed to decompose naturally over several weeks. This decomposition gradually releases the straw, allowing the new grass to grow through without requiring manual removal. Specialized products like straw blankets or paper mulches are also engineered to break down, eliminating the labor-intensive step of raking up the material once the grass is established.