what is the purpose of putting down hay when you plant grass seeds? is it helpful?

Answer 1

first of all i use straw..its cheaper then hay..the straw that covers the grass seeds keeps the birds from eating the seeds and keeps the moisture in...i just planted mine and it has been raining for the last few days..this is a good time to do this..also follow the directions on the grass seed bag..good luck

Answer 2

The pupose of putting down hay is to make sure your seeds do not get eaten by birds. The hay also serves as a natural blanket that will help keep the soil beneath it moist, speeding up sprout time. The best part with using hay is that once the grass sprouts and begins to grow, it is usually broken down and acts as a fertilizer! Without hay, grass will not only take longer to grow, but it will usually sprout in patches. Hay allows a uniform seed sprout bed.

Answer 3

Putting down straw loosely over newly planted grass seed prevents soil erosion and preserves moisture in the top soil until your grass has germinated and grown to the point when it can be mowed. I recommend using it to reduce your need to water and to prevent a strong gust of wind or rain storm from washing all your seed away. Just remember to cover it loosely and not too thick so that air and light still reaches the newly germinated sprouts. Bang the bale of straw against a hard surface a few times also, to shed the straw seeds which will compete for nutrients and water with your grass seed.

Good Luck.

Answer 4

Does Hay Help Grass Grow

Answer 5

Absolutely it is VERY useful! Hay isn't the only thing you can use, there is pine straw, also some spray that is dark green and it serves the same purpose! (You see the spray being used on the sides of highways and pther public places)
The sole purpose is to hold the seed in place long enough for it to take root and begin growing! Anything from birds robbing your seed, to rain water, to even a sprinkler can cause your seed to move and not grow where you want it!
You want it to stay in place and grow where you put it, right! In order to do that, you have to put something down to insure it stays put! It also acts as a mulch for the ground and seed! It retains moisture and becomes organic product that enriches the soil aas it rots/decomposes! (this of course pertains mostly to hay! The straw isn't as beneficial to the soil as it decomposes! And the spray does nothing but hold it in place!

Answer 6

We always used straw, but hay is helpful because it produces nitrogen as it rots. It will help to keep your grass seed in place in hard rains as well as protect the seed from burning up on hot days, and also helps retain moisture in the ground.

Answer 7

It actually is helpful because it absorbs moisture so that your grass seed does not get too wet and therefore has a chance to grow like you want it to, not drown. It can also prevent patches in pockets (valleys) of your lawn.

Answer 8

hay is helpful so birds do not eat the seeds, it also keeps the seeds from washing away during rain or wind

Answer 9

I think it helps hold in moisture, keeps the birds from eating the seeds, and helps keep the seeds in place when it rains.

Answer 10

you dont put down hay...you put down straw... hay contains too many various grass seeds like alfalfa , clover etc. straw is the stem of the plant usually oats, and usually contains no seeds