Is it absolutely necessary to cover a newly seeded lawn with straw? If not, will it become a banquet for birds and squirrels? -- Bud Maddox, Cleveland.
There are many reasons why straw is not the best choice for covering your newly seeded lawn.
Straw contains perennial weed seeds, such as orchard grass, that can be hard to control. Straw also has to be raked up once the new lawn comes in. Who wants to deal with that mess and risk damaging your new grass seedlings?
Leaving grass seed out in the open with no protection is only asking for trouble. What bird could say no to a buffet!
There are a few options that are far superior to straw and can offer tremendous success. The best choice is green mulch, which is made from recycled paper, polymers (think of the moisture-holding capability that polymers give a baby diaper) and starter fertilizer. The pellets expand in size and offer moisture, erosion and animal control; the pellets also will feed the new grass seedlings with a starter fertilizer.
Green mulch can be cost-prohibitive for people with a big lawn to establish.
The next best suggestion is sphagnum peat moss. Peat moss offers some protection from animals, contains no weed seeds, offers some moisture and erosion control and helps your new seedlings establish a healthy root system. Peat moss is also much more cost-efficient for the big jobs.
Apply fertilizer first and use the peat as a top dressing; about a half to three quarters of an inch should be sufficient. Make sure to water it in good so the wind does not blow the light peat away after application.
Topsoil is also an acceptable top dressing for a new lawn, but make sure it is a lighter, better grade of topsoil. Never use a lower-grade, fill topsoil to establish your new lawn, or you will be sorry.
Most of these products can be found at your local garden center, plus you also can get the benefit of a knowledgeable staff to help guide you through all the steps and educate you on the different products available. Good luck!
• Garden tasks for May from "Gardening Month by Month."
Keep old newspapers handy for covering plants vulnerable to nighttime frost.
Fertilize established lawns.
Remove pond weeds. Get rid of duckweed with a long-handled pool skimmer, and twist blanket weed (looks like green cotton candy) by twisting it around a cane.
Tie in climbers, trim formal evergreen hedges and prune early-flowering shrubs.
Stake and support perennials. Deadhead tulips and feed spring-flowering bulbs.
Pat Donzelli is owner/operator of Gale's Westlake Garden Center.
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