If this is your first all-new lawn, you’ll want to ensure that you do everything you can to help it succeed. If you have either scattered straw to create a blanket or you are using a commercial germination blanket made for grass seed, you may be wondering when to remove this grass seed blanket. The answer might surprise you in how simple it is.
When Can I Remove the Straw Blanket from New Grass? ( The Short Answer)
You don’t need to remove the straw blanket from the new grass. In fact, removing a straw blanket (also known as straw erosion netting) can kill your new grass seedlings. There are a few cases when you will need to remove the straw blanket. These are, however, few and far between.
Factors That Affect When You Should Remove the Straw Blanket From New Grass
Overall, you shouldn’t be removing the straw blanket or straw mesh from your new grass. This is because the straw erosion blanket is meant to break down and mesh with the soil after 90 days. Given that this is about as long as it will take for your newly seeded lawn to take root, they’re likely to be at least partially rooted in the mesh. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule.
It’s Been 9 Months and the Mesh Is a Problem
So, it’s been 3x longer than the time the mesh was supposed to start to break down. You would expect it to have almost completely disappeared. But it’s still there, looking as clean as the day it was placed, except for the new grass growing through it. This is a problem.
Two things could be happening. First, the product isn’t a legitimate germination blanket meant for this purpose. Or, second, you got saddled with a faulty product.
Always contact the manufacturer if you know the blanket was supposed to break down and it did not. Beyond that, be prepared to cut the mesh down or remove it entirely.
Your Lawn is Covered in Mold or Mushrooms
If you have used a straw germination blanket that was meant as a row cover and not for grass seed, or if you used several bales of straw to DIY a germination blanket, you are likely now facing a field of mushrooms where your lawn should be. In this case, the infected straw needs to be pulled up as soon as possible.
Mesh keeps Getting Caught in Your Mower
While straw blankets and mesh should easily be chopped up by any gas or electric mower, they can be more than a hand-powered or reel-type mower can handle. In this case, you may need to score or chop up the mesh in different ways. It’s worth noting that it doesn’t always need to be completely removed, though.
You Made a Thick Blanket of Straw Yourself
Scattering straw until it’s thick over your newly-seeded lawn is a common mistake. If you are using scattered straw as a straw blanket, you should keep it to as little straw as you can. This means just a few pieces of straw per foot. If you can’t even see the ground, the straw blanket is too thick and should be removed or reduced until it is thin enough.
The Grass Has Pushed the Straw Blanket Off
If the grass is pushing the straw blanket up and away, that means the grass is growing well enough without the cover, and it can be removed. Further, if the blanket is being pushed up and off rather than being rooted into, you can safely remove the straw blanket or this section of the straw blanket without harming your new grass.
Why Keeping the Straw Blanket in Place for the Right Amount of Time is Important
Knowing when to remove straw from newly planted grass is important. While the above factors can help you know if your straw germination blanket needs to be removed, the reasons below should help you understand why leaving the straw blanket in place is ideal.
A Straw Blanket Prevents Predation
Straw blankets should be left on a new lawn as long as possible to prevent seeds from being eaten and sprouts or seedlings from being nibbled to death.
A Straw Germination Blanket Prevents Erosion
Beyond predation, a straw blanket can help keep your lawn’s new growth even and prevent bald patches. The straw blanket will keep seeds in place, even if it rains or the wind picks up.
Keeping the Straw Blanket Keeps Roots Intact
It’s important to know the signs for when it’s safe to remove straw from new grass. If the grass roots into it, for example, or you have a blanket that’s meant to erode and it’s doing its job, then taking that straw blanket up can disturb the roots of your new grass.
Remain patient and pay attention to what your grass seeds and seedlings are doing. If they are growing just fine and the straw blanket is staying in place, leave it alone. If the blanket is being pushed up and off, it’s better to cut that section away. This prevents the straw blanket from damaging your lawn in any way.
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