• Straw protects newly planted grass seed.grass image by green308 from Fotolia.com
  
  

Advantages to Covering Seed with Straw

• Covering newly planted grass seed with a layer of straw increases the germination rate and protects the seed by increasing the soil moisture level, keeping soil temperature even, and preventing seed and soil from washing away, according to the University of Florida.
  
  

Too Much of a Good Thing

• Use one bale to every 500 to 1,000 square feet to avoid inhibiting the growth of new grass with too thick of a covering. Remove at least half the straw once the new grass reaches a height of 2 inches, as suggested by the University of Vermont. The remaining straw can be left to decompose, but if at least half of it is not removed, it will keep the grass from growing properly.
  
  

Bottom Line

• Put straw over areas with newly planted grass seed with a 50 percent to 75 percent covering of the total area, but ensure that at least half is removed once grass seeds root and sprout. Use only weed-free straw to avoid introducing weeds in to the new turf.