How to Grow Grass in Burlap
Persistent bald spots in your yard can be one of the most frustrating lawn care problems you face. Not only do these bare, unsightly spots seem to thumbing their noses at you by refusing to sprout grass, but they turn into patches of slippery mud in the rain. With the help of an ordinary piece of burlap and some simple techniques, you can grow new grass, vanquish bald spots and have a healthy, intact lawn. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Hand cultivator or sturdy rake
- Shovel
- Good-quality grass seed
- Piece of burlap, cut to fit your needs
- Mechanical seed spreader (optional)
- Fine soil, compost or peat moss
- Garden hose and sprinkler
Instructions
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Plan to sow your new grass in September in order to take advantage of optimum conditions. Experts agree that early fall is the ideal time for sowing grass seed; not only is the worst of the heat over, but there will be less competition from crabgrass and other weeds.
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Prepare the soil by using a heavy-duty rake or hand cultivating tool to break up the surface dirt and soften and aerate the soil. Work the soil to a depth of at least 3 inches.
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While preparing the soil, keep an eye out for insects and worms that can provide clues to soil condition. Fat, white grubs eating at the roots of grass are villains, ordinary earthworms are earth-enriching good guys and ants are harmless and tend to help aeration.
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Ensure even coverage when you sow the seeds by dividing them in half and spreading part in one direction, then the rest in a crosswise direction. It doesn't matter if you use a mechanical spreader or do it by hand; just make sure there are no missed spots.
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Rake the seeded area lightly, then throw a quarter inch or so of fine soil or compost over the seeds. Tapping down gently with the back of a shovel will ensure the seeds are in contact with the soil.
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Cover the area with a piece of open mesh burlap.
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If the weather is dry, water the burlap every morning with a fine mist spray. You do not need to water if there is natural rainfall. When seeds begin to sprout, use a sprinkler daily to get the soil wet to at least 5 inches with each watering, but don't waterlog the soil.
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Remove the burlap when the seedlings are between a quarter-inch and half-inch high.
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Continue to water daily until the bare spot is finally covered with new grass.
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Tips & Warnings
To make sure the burlap stays in place, bend a piece of wire into an upside-down U shape and secure it over the burlap, driving the ends of the wire into the soil.
Mow your new grass when it reaches about 3 inches high, but don't mow it less than 1 1/2 inches tall.
Keep grass seed in the refrigerator until you are ready to sow.
