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Remove part or all of straw?
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Posted by
cpo1 Central Indiana (
My Page) on
Fri, Sep 23, 11 at 8:00
| I recently renovated a good part of my lawn with slitting equipment, thatch removal, seed, fertilizer, etc., and applied straw as the moisture enhancer. I used a bluegrass based mixture that is common in this area. New grass is 2" high in many places now and will be coming up in the areas last worked soon, weather cooperating. I also have a sprinkler system to use if necessary. We've been getting some rain though the last few days. My question is should the straw be removed in whole or in part prior to mowing or should it stay on the ground over the winter? Many thanks for the help that has been provided through this forum and thanks again for the replies. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Remove part or all of straw?
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| How do you plan to remove the straw? I always have left the straw and it decomposes over time. Not saying it's best to leave it on, though. |
RE: Remove part or all of straw?
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| Hey cpo01...As you saw in the pictures I posted in your last thread I had straw covering my entire overseeded area also. I decided that once I saw the seedlings coming up I was going to gently remove it to let the grass get some more light and air. I was pretty lucky that my lawn is not huge and I was able to access all of it from the sidewalk or garden beds by stretching out a garden rake and gently pulling up and off. I have to say that taking the straw off after it sprouted really made the grass take off, at least I think so. I noticed that some of the thicker areas of straw were causing TOO much moisture and the grass pircked up after taking it off. I think you mentioned you have a much bigger area than me and with it being already 2 inches high might be safer to just tease out the heavier areas as timeco mentioned it would be a bit tough during the first mowing, and I could definitely see that. I guess it just depends on how thick you laid it on in the first place. Either way if its already up and at 2 inches the grass is clearly doing well so congrats! I am obviously no seasoned vet but just wanted to share my experience since I am very happy with how full and thick my grass came in from everybody's help on this forum. Thanks and good luck! |
RE: Remove part or all of straw?
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- Posted by cpo1 Central Indiana (My Page) on
Fri, Sep 23, 11 at 9:45
| Thanks bassplayer and ATekk. I think I will remove as much straw as I can without damaging the new grass and worry about any remaining residual stuff in the spring. I'll use a spring leaf rake and try to gently move it to bagging areas. I probably won't know the final outcome until next spring, but it sure looks good at the moment. I may or may not have to mow before winter sets in. I don't have any really high old grass anywhere since I mowed it as low as possible before starting and then used Mantis (yes the little guy) slicing tines prior to seeding and fertilizing. If it gets too high, then I'll mow it. Thanks again for the help. |
RE: Remove part or all of straw?
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| I would just leave it. It will decompose and add organic matter to the soil. |
RE: Remove part or all of straw?
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| Ditto bp. You could damage seedlings by removing it. |
RE: Remove part or all of straw?
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- Posted by cpo1 Central Indiana (My Page) on
Fri, Sep 23, 11 at 14:32
| OK. The verdict is in. Leave the straw alone. It will decompose over the winter. One last question though, if I need to mow before winter, mowing over the straw should not be a big deal, right? Thanks again folks. I appreciate the help. |
RE: Remove part or all of straw?
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| Right. Straw is dead grass. Should be all the same. |
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