When Should You Remove a Straw Blanket from New Grass?

Straw blankets are great for seeding grass because they prevent solids from penetrating the soil. They also let water and oxygen flow freely, promoting a healthy patch of grass. However, you can’t leave the straw blanket on the grass forever.

You should remove a straw blanket from new grass after four to five weeks to ensure the grass is at least three inches tall. Mow the grass one to two times, then dethatch or rake it to remove the excess straw mulch. The remaining straw naturally decomposes into the soil.

In this article, we’ll show you how long you should leave a straw blanket on new grass, signs to look for to know when it’s time to remove it, and tips for the removal process. We’ll also break down how much straw is too much for the grass and many other common questions.

How Long Do You Leave a Straw Blanket on New Grass?

You leave a straw blanket on new grass until the grass is long enough to move (between two to three inches). Mowing the grass or removing the straw blanket too soon can rip out the roots, causing you to have to restart the process. There’s no need to manually remove the straw blanket by hand.

According to Mcall, you don’t even have to remove a straw blanket if it starts to rot or decompose. This natural process will take care of the straw blanket for you. Make sure the grass is long enough to walk on and mow; Otherwise, you can cause damage if you remove the straw early.

There are a few signs you should look out for, such as the grass not growing through the blanket on time. If it’s not showing signs of growth, you might have to lift a portion of the blanket to see if everything is working under the soil. However, these issues are few and far between.

When you’re ready to remove the straw from the new grass, head to the process below.

How Do You Remove Straw From New Grass?

To remove straw from new grass, follow these steps:

1. Let the grass grow to about three inches. SF Gate explains the first few weeks after adding the straw blanket to your grass is the most influential and beneficial. Once your grass is long enough, there’s no need for the straw blanket to do anything other than decompose.
2. Mow the grass once to remove the top layer of grass and straw. You should follow specific guidelines if your lawn is close to a wall to prevent the blades from chipping it. This mowing session should bring the grass down to 2 to 2.5 inches.
3. Dethatch the lawn with a rake or powered dethatcher. The Sun Joe Electric Dethatcher will remove the excess straw without ripping the grass from its roots. It includes a thatch gas, a 13-inch deck, and five adjustable levels for optimal control and precision.
4. Water the grass and mow it regularly. Even though you’ve finished the hard part, you still have to water and maintain the grass. Now is the time to add a bit of fertilizer if you notice patches or lines. Regularly mowing the grass to keep it around 2.5 inches will prevent fungi, mildew, and bacteria from growing.
5. Remove excess patches of straw blanket if it doesn’t come out after a couple of months. The straw blanket won’t be gone after one mowing; Instead, you’ll have to maintain a consistent schedule every week or two until it’s all gone. If you notice a few chunks after 60 to 90 days, remove them by hand.

This method will ensure your grass gets the most out of the straw blanket without smothering it. It’ll also take the stress off of your shoulders when it comes to moving, dethatching, and spending too much time removing the straw.

If you want to know why straw seed blankets sometimes have to be removed manually, read on.

Why Do Straw Seed Blankets Need to Be Removed?

Straw seed blankets need to be removed if you added too much straw, if the grass seeds aren’t growing, or if you used the wrong type of straw blanket for the lawn. Many people confuse straw seed blankets with erosion nets. The nets won’t break down for a long time, but straw seed blankets decompose quickly.

Here are a few reasons straw blankets sometimes need to be removed from new grass:

• The blanket is too thick for the grass, so it’s causing a handful of issues. Straw and dry grass can pile over the soil, making it difficult for it to get enough of the nutrients it needs to grow the grass. Remember to rake dead grass before adding the layer of straw on top.
• The grass grew long enough, but the blanket isn’t breaking down as predicted. This problem usually only happens with old, dry straw blankets that won’t decompose. It’s rather uncommon, but it’s good to know when the straw has been on the grass for too long after mowing it a couple of times.
• You might’ve added an erosion net to your grass rather than a straw seed blanket. Erosion nets are designed to prevent mud slides, gravel or rock slides, and so on. They look very similar to straw blankets, but they don’t break down nearly as quickly. Make sure you have a straw blanket on the new grass!
• The underlying soil isn’t enriched or it’s too dry, so you have to add mulch, topsoil, or fertilizer under the straw blanket. Straw blankets are rather effective, but they can’t do the job correctly if there’s bad soil underneath. Cracked, dry soil won’t grow the new grass under a layer of straw.

While these instances are rare, they’re not unheard of. Manually removing straw seed blankets usually requires a rake and gloves. If the blanket is still intact, you can grab one end and slowly roll it. If not, you’ll have to gently rake the straw to remove it without harming the grass seeds.

Can You Put Too Much Straw on Grass Seed?

You can put too much straw on grass seed because it will prevent the grass from growing through the blanket, limit the oxygen flowing through it, and stop water from trickling through the soil. However, almost all companies that sell straw blankets have them made to prevent these issues from happening.

Much like trying to grow grass through landscape fabric, you can’t expect good results from putting several straw blankets over new grass. While some people get away with it, you could be ruining the grass’s potential. The straw layer should be thin enough to let sunlight, oxygen, and water through it.

For reference, you should be able to see the grass and soil under the straw blanket. If the ground looks like a giant pile of straw, it’s time to remove a lot of it. Unfortunately, you’ll usually have to remove it by hand since using a rake or dethatcher can cause problems for the new grass.

Most landscaping companies know exactly how much straw to use. If you’re a beginner, it’s best to get a professional landscaper to lay the straw blanket over the new grass.

Final Thoughts

Straw blankets can be very effective, but it’s important to dethatch the lawn after a couple of mowing sessions to free the growing grass. Instead of removing the straw with gloves or shovels, you can use your mower and a rake to gradually get it out. Good luck!