Don't Risk It With Basic Grass Seed: This Modern Alternative From Amazon Makes It Easier

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Seeding your lawn sounds easy in practice, but there are a lot of ways it can fail. To get a lovely green yard, without the risk of basic grass seeds that may not sprout evenly, try a modern solution on Amazon. The Growtrax Biodegradable Grass Seed Mat may be just what you need to fully cover your lawn without the risk. The mat comes in several different species, including perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and  Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), some of the best grasses for places with cooler weather.

"We tried grass seed but it just wouldn't grow!" said a five-star review on Amazon. "As a last resort, we tried the Growtrax ... After a couple of weeks we had sprouts! It's been about 1½ months and with consistent watering we have a nice bed of grass." However, you don't just get the grass. This mat is a three-in-one product that includes mulch, fertilizer, and seeds. It helps hold in moisture and feeds the plants as they grow. It even breaks down over time. Having all three combined reduces the risk of problems going wrong with your seeds or you making the layers too uneven, making the whole process easier.

Though having a product that already combines fertilizer, mulch, and seeds together makes the process a little easier than handling those steps individually, there is still plenty of work to do. "I was excited to get this product. It says roll it out, water it and watch it grow. There's more to it than that obviously. I had to prepare the site. Removing all the old thatch, dead grass, leaves, and digging down 2 inches to loosen the soil," said a one-star review on Amazon. 

This mat is much less risky than seeds, but it isn't foolproof. You do have to prepare the ground carefully when using it if you want a chance for the grass to come out lush and healthy. The first step is to clear out the area. Get rid of stones, branches, and any other debris that may be in the way. Removing weeds can also make sure your seeds have a good chance to establish themselves without competition. 

Once you've cleared out everything, till the soil down at least 2 inches deep, then level the ground. It doesn't need to be perfect, but the mat should have as much contact with the earth as possible. Next, give it a light watering to help the mat attach. When you are satisfied with your preparation, it's time to start applying the mat to the ground.

Make sure you are leaving the mat facing the way it unrolls. The fertilizer side will be on the bottom and the mulch on the top. As you water, it should stick to the ground. Additionally, when making cuts, make sure to give yourself a little extra room so you can overlap all sides with the next one to help prevent dead patches.

Though it sounds tedious, you want to take care not to let this mat dry out. Otherwise, it can blow away, and the seeds may not grow. In very windy areas, you could add a secondary layer just for extra support, like an erosion blanket or damp straw. Watering every few hours can also keep everything in place and thriving. When cared for properly, this mat can shine in sunny, shady, and sloped yards and give you the green lawn you've always hoped to have. 

To make sure it has time to grow, this is one of those times you should really avoid walking on your grass. Let it establish itself before allowing your family or pets to walk along the mats. After it starts to grow, you can start to treat it like a normal lawn. This includes using easy ways to help your grass look greener, such as getting rid of weeds, watering properly, and applying aerating the ground as needed.