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| I put hay over some freshly planted grass seed to help keep some moisture and warmth in the soil. The seeds are germinating, some of the plants are an inch high already. The problem is, are plenty of spots where the seeds haven't sprouted as yet. At what point I should take the hay off? I'd like to get as many seeds to germinate as possible but I'm worried about blocking sunlight from the seedlings already growing.
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Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by dchall_san_antonio 8 San Antonio (My Page) on Sun, Oct 7, 12 at 19:01
| Please tell me you used straw and not hay. If you used hay, you will have an alfalfa field. Straw is the top dressing material that has no seeds. My opinion is that straw need not ever be used. Covering new seed with straw seems to be a local option where the custom is passed on from generation to generation through the local landscapers and hay sellers. Believe it or not, there are many parts of the country that have never heard of this custom and their grass comes in fine. Having said that, if you rake the straw out before the grass comes up, you might be raking out the seeds, too. I believe the straw users wait until about 80% of the grass is sprouted and has some deepening roots before starting to rake. |
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- Posted by Mr_Brown_Thumb none (My Page) on Sun, Oct 7, 12 at 23:29
| Yes, it's straw. Sorry about that. Thank you for posting your response. It was very helpful |
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| Why can you not leave the straw in place and just start mowing. If it gets hit by the mower is will get chopped up, If not it will decompose added to the topsoil. |
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- Posted by Ibanez540r none (My Page) on Mon, Oct 8, 12 at 21:24
| I always leave it down and just mow. It will add organic matter to the soil. Raking it or pulling it up can injure or damage young grass. |
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- Posted by Mr_Brown_Thumb none (My Page) on Mon, Oct 8, 12 at 22:10
| Due to the colder weather setting in a little early I put the straw down pretty thick. I'm a little worried about the seedlings getting enough light. They seem to be coming up with a slight yellowish hue. This is fresh composted topsoil I trucked in. I haven't actually tested it but, it should have a PH above 6.5. I uncovered a small patch and will do a comparison between it and the grass still covered in straw when I get home on Friday. If there's no difference, I'll leave it covered. One other thought though. Wouldn't mulching it into the grass for it to decompose cause a drain on the nitrogen levels in the soil at a time when the young grass needs it most? I honestly don't know if it would make an impact or not. If I clear it off, it will just go into my compost pile which will become next years top dressing. One way or another, that straw is gonna be on that lawn lol |
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