When it comes to covering your grass seed the two most popular options are straw and peat moss. These two things are pretty commonly used because they’re both quite affordable and pretty easy to find and access.
That being said they’re also both highly debated and discussed. So, which one is better? Here is absolutely everything you need to know about covering your grass seed, peat moss and straw.
Should you cover your grass seed:
Covering your grass seed is actually an essential part of thoroughly looking after your yard. So yes, you need to and totally should cover your grass seed.
The main reasons behind why covering your grass seed is so necessary are the negative side effects and consequences of not doing it. These consequences include your grass seed drying out, being removed and blown away by things like rain or wind or possibly even being consumed by birds and other small creatures prowling around your yard. When covering your grass seed you may be considering using peat moss or straw. Both have positives and negatives.
Positives of using peat moss:
The biggest positive of using peat moss instead of straw is the high amount of germination that it drives. Especially in comparison to straw, peat moss provides quie a high quantity of healthy, thriving grass plants.
Moreover, peat moss is great at retaining water. This means that your grass will always stay thoroughly hydrated and will continue to breathe and flourish easily.
In addition to this, unlike straw, peat moss does not form mats that could possibly smother and suffocate your grass seeds. That being said, do keep in mind that for peat moss to not form these mats it needs to be broken up and spread out properly.
Negatives of using peat moss:
The biggest downside to using peat moss is the negative effect it has on your soil. Peat moss is actually antimicrobial which means that helpful and healthy soil microbes are and always will be unable to sustain your soil in peat moss.
To add to this, peat moss does not contain any nutrients whatsoever. This means that it won’t aid or add any nutrients in your yard, even when it breaks down.
Moreover, peat moss itself is actually pretty unsustainable and not that good for the environment. It can even be referred to as being an environmental hazard.
Positives of using straw:
The biggest positive of using straw as a cover for grass seed is the additional nutrients it brings to your soil if it is allowed to properly decompose. In fact, it has a similar effect to spreading grass clippings. This means that it breaks down into an organic matter that aids and encourages the growth of microbes in your soil.
Furthermore, straw is a largely sustainable resource that does not harm or affect the environment in any negative way.
In addition to this, straw does not contain any of the acidity levels that peat moss does. As well as this, straw is known to contain quite a few more nutrients that peat moss.
Lastly, when compared to peat moss, straw is much more affordable and therefore easier to access.
Negatives of using straw:
The biggest drawback you may experience when using straw is the weeds it sometimes plants and nourishes along with your grass. This is due to the fact that straw frequently contains weed seeds that will sprout along with and among your grass.
Furthermore, straw can frequently form a mat that is capable of smothering and suffocating grass seeds.
In addition to this, straw is not as capable of retaining water as well as peat moss is. This means that your seeds may sometimes dry out due to lack of proper, sustained hydration.
Moreover, when compared to peat moss, straw has lower rates of seed germination.
Peat Moss vs Straw – final thoughts:
Overall, peat moss is better when it comes to assuring that your seeds are properly germinated. Meanwhile, straw is better at providing nutrients and keeping your soil nice and healthy. In terms of environmental stability, straw is better but in terms of overall effectiveness it could be said that peat moss is the better option.