How Much Straw Is Needed When Growing Grass?

Straw Bale

• A 35- to 50-pound bale of clean straw will cover about 1,000 square feet. If you have a small area, you can purchase half bales of straw from a nursery or farmer that has clean straw. When you apply the straw to the ground, it is important that you don't add too much. The straw you use must be clean, which means it is free of weed seed.

Covering Grass Seed

• Only a thin layer of straw is used to protect the grass seed. When you look at the straw on the grass seed, you should be able to see the dirt below it. If you can't see the dirt, you have too much straw covering the grass seed.

Decaying Straw

• Leave the straw on the lawn after the seeds germinate and begin to grow. The straw will decompose in about two to three months. If you use a rake to remove the straw, you will risk damaging the new grass blades and kill the grass. The grass blades will grow up through the straw if you only have a thin layer of straw spread out over the lawn.

Cheesecloth

• If you don't have access to clean straw, you can use cheesecloth, which is a thin semi-see-through cloth. The cloth lies loosely over the newly seeded area and held down by small sticks on the corners. The cloth will keep the birds away and help keep the soil moist, by shading the soil from the hot sun. When the grass blades grow, they push the cheesecloth up. This is the time to remove the cloth.