Make sure that you do it evenly, as you don’t want any areas of your yard to look “grassier” than the others. Once the soil is perfect, you can then spread the seed. The ideal place for new grass seeds is in soil that is broken up into small pieces, similar to that of a marble. Planting and covering new grass seed is very easy, but there are a few things you want to keep in mind in order to get the best results.įirst, before you even sow the seeds, look around the area and remove any large rocks or other debris. Your seedlings will need nitrogen, so you might want to consider adding a nitrogen-rich fertilizer to the soil. The one caveat of using sawdust is that it has a tendency to leech the nitrogen out of the soil. It protects the seed, and it gives it a safe place to grow into a seedling.
#COVER GRASS SEED WITH GRASS CLIPPINGS FREE#
For some, this is a free product that you can use to cover your grass seed. The fifth option we recommend is saw dust. You additionally must weigh it down with large rocks or other heavy items so that it doesn’t blow away.Īs soon as you begin to see the seeds sprouting under the plastic, you should remove it and allow the seeds to grow naturally. Also, make sure that you have some air flow under the sheet. If you choose a sheet that is black, it could get too hot. You should choose a sheet of plastic that is clear, because you want to sun to shine through. If you want to create a sort of “greenhouse” effect for your grass seeds, you can consider placing a sheet of plastic over the soil once you sow the seeds.
![cover grass seed with grass clippings cover grass seed with grass clippings](http://diy.repairclinic.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Grass-clippings-smaller.jpg)
In this case, only about a quarter of an inch is all you need. Then, just put those pieces back into your compost bin.Īgain, you want to make sure that you are applying the compost thinly over the top of your grass seed. This pulls out all of the pieces that have not fully decomposed. You can easily do this by sifting the moss through a screen before you apply it to the grass. Just keep in mind that you should pull out all of the big pieces, as it can stop nutrients from getting to the seeds. You can make your own compost by using things like grass clippings, kitchen scraps, wood chips, leaves, or other organic materials you might have in your home or property. First, it is very environmentally friendly, so if you are concerned about being green or organic, compost is the best option. So, choose a mulch that is free or cheap! CompostĬompost is another option for covering new grass seeds.
![cover grass seed with grass clippings cover grass seed with grass clippings](https://lawnmodel.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Should-I-Bag-Grass-Clippings-if-I-have-weeds-in-lawn.jpg)
Just keep in mind that the mulch must be spread pretty thin, and it can get expensive if you buy it. Mulch is also perfect for keeping moisture locked in, so if you are in an area that tends to have dry conditions, much might be a great option. This helps your new grass grow very well. The nice thing about mulch is that it is often comes with a fertilizer contained within. MulchĪnother good option for covering new grass seed is to use mulch.
#COVER GRASS SEED WITH GRASS CLIPPINGS HOW TO#
Though we will talk about how to cover new grass seed, it’s always good to remember that you only need a light covering when you use straw. Wheat, oat, and barley are all good options if you want to choose a specific straw type.
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Other types of straw might have a lot of seeds, which can promote the growth of weeds. Though straw is a great option, there are some types of straw, like pine straw, which can contain chemicals that may affect plant growth. There are a number of reasons for this, but most people say that they choose straw because it is cheap and easy to find, no matter where you live. The most commonly used option to cover new grass seed with is straw. Let’s take a look at some options: 5 Options to Cover Grass Seed Straw So, yes, grass seed will grow if you don’t cover it, but it’s definitely best to choose a medium to place over your grass seeds for the best results. Additionally, it helps to keep the seed moist as it slows the evaporation of water. It helps to keep the seeds warm, as many people sow grass in the spring when it still might be cold. Though not every single seed will get gobbled up, many will, so you shouldn’t expect a full, lush lawn if you choose not to put a covering on it.Īnother thing to keep in mind is that putting cover on the grass seeds help them to germinate. When the grass seed is left to its own devices without any covering, it is very likely that it will be eaten by birds and other critters. Yes, grass seeds will grow if not covered, but there are so many benefits to choosing to cover the seeds. Before we start talking about the best options to cover grass seed, we first want to talk about what happens if you choose not to cover the seed at all.