How to Mulch Over Sown Seeds

Inside every fertile seed is a plant waiting to grow and develop. When conditions are right, the seed germinates and a sprout breaks through the soil. Sometimes erosion or drought gets in the way of this process. If hungry critters dig up the seeds, they become food before having the chance to emerge. Whether you are sowing seed for grass, flowers, vegetables or some other type of plant, mulching provides the protection the seed needs to evolve.

Appropriate mulch
Gardening gloves

Instructions

- 1
  Select the best mulch for the job. Pine needles and weed-free straw are both economical forms of mulch and work well for areas where heavy winds are not an issue. If the planting area is subject to windy conditions and hungry animals, opt for a coarse gravel.
- 2
  Spread the mulch over the planting area, gently laying it in place without disturbing the seeds, using gloved hands. A single layer of mulch, usually 1/4 to 1/2 inches, is all that is necessary. Mulching too heavily may make it difficult for some sprouts to poke through. If you can still see soil beneath the mulch layer, the application is appropriate.
- 3
  Leave the mulch in place for the duration of the germination process -- there is no need to move the mulch. Sprouts will find their way through the mulch naturally. Once the plants begin to grow, leaving the mulch in place suppresses weeds and improves water retention in the soil.

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