Straw Mulch Depth for New Grass Seed

Apply straw mulch very lightly over newly seeded lawns in southern West Virginia—just enough to shade the soil while leaving 40–50% of the soil surface visible. This retains moisture, prevents erosion, and eliminates the need to rake it off later; it simply decomposes in place.

Thick straw mats smother seedlings and harbor pests. A thin, even layer is all you need. Water gently to avoid washing seed, then keep the surface consistently moist until germination.

Use clean wheat or oat straw—avoid hay, which contains weed seeds. One bale typically covers 1,000 sq ft at the proper sparse density.