Does Straw ACTUALLY Help Grass Seed Grow?! (Lawn Renovation Test)

I recently bought a new house and decided to completely renovate the lawn. With a large amount of zoysia grass taking over and plans to transition to a reel-mow-friendly cool-season lawn, I started from scratch by killing off the existing turf and seeding a brand-new lawn. One of the biggest questions homeowners ask during a lawn renovation is whether you should cover grass seed with straw, erosion matting, or leave it uncovered. Straw and erosion blankets are commonly used to help retain soil moisture, reduce seed washout from heavy rain, and protect seed from birds and other environmental factors. However, they can also introduce weed seeds, make it harder to monitor germination, and add additional cost and labor to the project. In this video, I document my lawn renovation from start to finish and take a closer look at whether straw and erosion control products are actually worth using when establishing new grass seed. If you're planning a lawn renovation, overseeding project, or growing a new lawn from seed, this video will help you understand the pros and cons of using straw and erosion matting during the germination process. If you are interested in the blend of grass seed I used, here is a link. I mixed Fielders Choice PRG and Rodeo KBG. #LawnRenovation #GrassSeed #LawnCare #Overseeding #CoolSeasonGrass #GrassSeedGermination #LawnLeveling #ErosionControl #StrawForGrassSeed #DIYLawnCare #KentuckyBluegrass #TallFescue #NewLawn #RootedLawnCo