Protecting New Grass Seed with Burlap: How Long to Keep It Down

Birds and squirrels can wreak havoc on newly seeded lawn areas, undoing all your hard work. Many homeowners turn to burlap as a protective cover, but knowing when to remove it is critical for success.

If you've laid burlap over repaired sections of your lawn, monitor it closely. The moment you see grass blades poking through the fabric, remove the burlap immediately. New seedlings need direct sunlight right away, and leaving the cover on too long causes the tender grass to grow into the burlap fibers. When you finally pull it off, you'll rip out the very grass you're trying to establish.

Burlap works well as a temporary shield against foraging wildlife and helps retain moisture during germination. Just remember: it's a short-term aid, not a long-term solution. Once germination occurs, the burlap has done its job.

For persistent critter problems, consider combining burlap with other deterrents like motion-activated sprinklers or netting elevated above the soil surface. But for most situations, timely burlap removal is the key to turning those bare patches into thick, healthy turf.