should i put straw on top of grass seed?

Question

I just thatched my lawn and put down penkote fescue plus seed. It has rained steadily for the last two days. It seems in the past when i put down straw that shorty after the grass starts to grow, what appears to be mold starts covering the new grass and it dies. Should I avoid the straw.

I live in Kentucky by the way

Answer 1

honstly . screw straw you have to rake it up . the only real reason for straw is to stop birds from eating your seed it dosent hold as much water as youd think .... insted try peatmoss / spagnum spred it over the lawn it holds water and fertlizes at the same time and best of all no rakeing
good luck

Answer 2

Straw Grass

Answer 3

If you have overseeded an existing lawn there is no need to use straw. The straw is used to prevent the washing away of the seed and additionally prevent the compaction, and or erosion caused by rain on bare soil. The existing lawn, even if not the thickest, will provide the same benefits.

For those that do use straw(bare ground seeding) you're only wanting 50% ground coverage. Most people put it on WAY too thick. If it is a thick mulch much of the grass will not be able to penetrate the straw.

Answer 4

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RE:
should i put straw on top of grass seed?
I just thatched my lawn and put down penkote fescue plus seed. It has rained steadily for the last two days. It seems in the past when i put down straw that shorty after the grass starts to grow, what appears to be mold starts covering the new grass and it dies. Should I avoid the straw.

Answer 5

The problem with straw is there are tons of weed seeds in the straw so when you use it you should realize ahead of time you are planting weeds. Sooner of later you are going to have to deal with the weeds.

I recommend a straw substitute like PennMulch or Emerge by Greenview. The benefits of these products is they have no weed seeds, they hold extra water so you don't have to tend the seed so often, they have a starter fertilizer in them so you don't have to add any fertilizer and finally it decomposes so you have nothing to rake up when the seed has germinated. They are very good products. The one negative--they cost more than straw. If you are planting 1000 sq ft or less I'd use the PennMulch or Emerge. You can get them at any good lawn and garden center.

Answer 6

Most people use straw to mulch and prevent weeds from growing so if you think about it - ?@#?
Peat moss is the best material to use for newly seeded grass. BTW, there is no nutritional value in peat moss, in fact it has a low Ph, so - depending on where you live and what the Ph of your soil is, you may need to consider liming your lawn as well. Peat moss does add organic material to the soil while protecting the seed. Also,fertilize with a seed /turf / sod product with high middle and last numbers so that the new seed has food when it sprouts.

Answer 7

Yes because you cant put grass seed on top of the straw.

Answer 8

Straw protects seed from being eaten by birds, and shades seedlings from strong sun. If the seed has sprouted, then point 1 has past, and this time of year you dont need much sun protection. Lose the straw!

Answer 9

You only have to put a small layer of straw down. It keeps the moisture in, as well as keeping the birds from eating the seeds. Perhaps you have too much straw down. Consult your local plant store and they may give you more advise!

Answer 10

If the grass has come up, don't do it. But straw will keep the birds from eating the seed before it sprouts.