Protect Your New Lawn With a Seeded Grass Mat
If your grass is patchy or sparse, consider laying grass seed to restore its beauty. Typically, grass seed is sprinkled on the dirt and then covered with loose hay or straw. However, this allows it to be easily uncovered by birds, wind and rain, and hay simply doesn’t work on hills or sloped areas. Try a seeded grass mat to help reseed your lawn instead.
Grass matting rolls are often made of wood fiber, compost, straw or other biodegradable material along with netting to create a fabric roll that can be used to cover grass seed. These rolls don’t contain the seeds themselves and need to be staked down with garden stakes or staples. If you want an even easier option, a seeding blanket contains the grass seed too. All you have to do is lay it down and water it. Because it self-adheres to the ground, you don’t need stakes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What’s the best thing to cover grass seed with?
A: Grass seed needs to be kept moist for two weeks to germinate, and covering it will improve germination rates. Seeded grass mats are a great option, but you can also use a 1/8-inch layer of compost, topsoil, mulch or straw. The most important thing is to keep the grass seed moist and undisturbed.
Q: Are grass seed blankets worth it?
A: Grass seed blankets are an effective option for ensuring germination, protecting the seed from hungry birds and preventing runoff from rain. The rolls are available in different sizes and in varying price ranges. They’re a convenient way to cover your grass seed without worrying about watering your lawn constantly.
Q: How do you apply a grass seed mat?
A: Choose a roll that’s the right size for the area you’re covering. Lay your grass seed if your chosen matting doesn’t contain seeds and then begin rolling your mat over the seeded area. This type of matting needs to be secured with garden stakes or staples every 4 to 6 feet. If your seed mat has seeds, simply roll it over the sparse area to be seeded and water it. Use utility scissors to cut your matting to fit the area.