The Grass Doctor

Why is hay good for putting over grass seeds when growing them?

And is spring a good time for growing grass?

Public Comments

1. stops those pesky birds eating all the seed before it germinates.
2. Because birds eat seeds. The hay is a protective cover.
3. spring is a good time for growing i general you put straw over seeds to keep moisture in the bare ground and make it harder for birds to get at the seeds lay it on thick
4. Why use hay? And besides, how the heck do you apply it to a full sized formal lawn area without grabbing a handful and feverishly casting it into the wind to cover the just sowed seed? This all seems like a bunch of extra work that is not needed. My preference has always been to use a couple compressed bales of peatmoss, available at any leading garden center or nursery. You can rent a peat "roller" at the local equipment rental center for next to nothing. It is a barrel shaped roller made of screen. It has a handle for easy pulling and application. Put the seed down, fill up the roller with peat and roll away! You go over the lawn as if you were mowing it. As you walk along, the peatmoss will drop through the screened openings covering the seed with a thin layer. Peatmoss has way better moisture holding capacity than hay. It will also breakdown and be added to the soil alot quicker than hay will. Once you cover the entire seeded area with the peat, you can water to start the germination process. Be sure to keep the peat moist until well after the new grass pokes through (7-14 days depending on variety) This might mean having to adjust the automatic sprinkler system to water 3 times a day (morning, noon, and early evening) or manually, which ever you have. You do not want to let the seeds dry out after they break free of the seed covering. Once the grass begins to grow well, you can cut back on the watering, but make sure it gets a drink at least once a day especially in warmer temperatures (your weather will determine this) And "DO NOT" water the newly sprouted grass in the evening or at night! Doing this will cause diseases or fungi to develope on your newly planted turf. You want the grass "dry" before night fall. Hope this answers your question... Remember the old saying: "You get what you pay for". Cheap straw equals shoddy results! ..And to the "thumbs down" trolls running rampant... "May you get struckdown by lightning" ...hahaha ...$Billy Ray$
5. Hay is not good because it is damp, heavy and the seeds will germinate. Straw can be used because it's already dry, lighter and it will protect the grass seed from birds etc. Also the straw will work as a mulch and discourage weed growth. The Muse
6. You want straw... not hay..... and early spring or fall either one is good.
7. I would never use hay it's full of weed seeds. Use straw, it's much cheaper than peat and you don't have the seeds... Below is a forum that makes the same suggestion. Question I want to plant some grass seed and then cover it with hay...I have seen it done at one of our neighbors down the street. How do I go about doing this? I recommend that you look into buying a bale of straw (not hay). Straw will not have seed heads. Hay will have seed heads and you may end up growing wheat in your yard. http://en.allexperts.com/q/Lawns-725/grass-seed-2.htm Whoops! I almost forgot Spring or Fall is a good time to plant grass seed. I have actually scattered it when snow was on the ground.
8. It keeps the birds from eating your seed and helps keep moisture in the ground so seed will sprout sooner.