Are you thinking of making your garden look healthier, greener, and thicker? Here is the good news: overseeding can help you solve the problem. But here is the catch: the new grass seedlings are fragile and require enough water to grow healthy. Spreading peat moss over grass seeds can help your lawn absorb enough moisture from the wet moss. But how do you apply this peat moss over grass seed?

You spread peat moss over grass seed using a peat moss spreader, a rake, or your hands. Peat moss has a fluffy and stringy texture, which makes it difficult to spread using a standard broadcast spreader.

Are you considering applying moss as a top dressing to boost your new grass? If yes, you’re probably wondering how much moss you need, if watering is necessary, and how often. Well, you’re in the right place. This blog will inform you of everything you need to know about applying peat moss to your yard. Read on. 

Related: How to Make Grass Thicker and Fuller

What Is Peat Moss?

Peat moss is a decomposed organic matter from peat bogs or sphagnum moss. It is a dark-brown dead, fibrous material for growing grass and keeping your yard green and healthy.

So far, moss is the most preferred method to help your lawn retain as much moisture as possible and aerate the soil to boost grass growth. Also, it doesn’t support weed seeds and is sterile. You can find this soil conditioner easily in any home improvement warehouse.

Also read: How to Care For New Sod

How Do You Spread Peat Moss Over Grass Seed?

Spreading peat moss in your yard is a simple and quick practice. You can DIY manually using a peat moss spreader and a rake. Hands are also used to apply the moss, though the method is tedious and time-consuming.

When using the moss spreader, you can finish the task within a few hours or days, depending on your lawn’s size. If you employ a rake, you’ll need more effort, and the task may take longer.

Covering the grass seedlings properly with peat moss will make the grass resistant to wind. Also, they’ll mature healthily into a desirable lawn. Keep reading for a step-by-step process for spreading moss over grass seeds.

Here is a step-by-step process for spreading moss over grass seeds:

1. First, you prepare your yard by mowing it down to a height of about 2 inches. Ensure you get rid of all excess debris in the garden. Next, eliminate all weed seeds in the area by applying herbicides. The best time for this practice is 2-3 weeks before the actual planting time.

• Loosen the soil in that area by tilling. The preferred height for new yards is at least 6 inches. Level the ground by filling all holes using a rake. Make sure the ground level is uniform. If your lawn has a soil compaction problem, carry out aeration. This practice boosts seed development.

• Lay the grass seeds on your lawn with the help of a standard broadcast spreader. For smaller yards, you can spread the grass seeds with your hands. Then, sprinkle water on the seeds using a can with tiny holes.

• Soak your peat moss in a water-filled bin for about 10 minutes.

• Next, remove it from the bin and squeeze it slightly to remove excess water.

• Spread the wet moss over the whole seeded part using a rake, moss spreader, or your hands. Ensure you create between 1/8-to-1/4-inch peat moss layer in depth.

• Finally, keep the lawn moist by watering it regularly until the grass germinates and grows. Whenever you notice a brown color on the peat moss, know the moss is dehydrated and needs watering. Water 2-3 times a day until the grass grows to one inch tall for best results. From there, start watering once daily until the grass can cover an inch of moss.

Materials Needed

You’ll need a few tools to spread peat moss over grass seed successfully. They include;

• Peat moss spreader, such as Walensee 24-Inch Peat Moss Spreader (pictured above)
• Rake
• Broadcast spreader
• Peat moss
• Sprinkler
• Grass seeds
• A mower
• An aerator (optional)
• Netting (optional)
• Fertilizer (optional)

Also read: How Long Does Sod Last Once It’s Cut?

Benefits Of Spreading Peat Moss on Grass Seeds

Here are some of the top benefits of applying peat moss on grass:

• Peat moss retains water that helps grass seeds germinate and grow healthy.
• This moss is free of pests and diseases. Additionally, it doesn’t support weed growth, hence great for your lawn.
• Some soils have poor drainage, and peat moss is the perfect solution in such areas. It improves aeration and solves water drainage problems.
• Spreading peat moss on your lawn protects your grass seeds from strong winds and birds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can you put peat moss on top of the grass?

A: The answer to this question is yes. Peat moss holds too much water and retains it for a long time. Therefore, using it as your lawn’s top dresser will accelerate recovery as it functions like a sponge. The reason is that the grass will absorb the water from the wet peat moist on top of it.

Q: Is it good to put peat moss over grass seed?

A: Peat moss is essential when overseeding because it protects the grass seeds from birds and other scavengers.

Q: When should I use peat moss on my lawn?

A: Apply ¼ inch of peat moss over the grass seeds after seeding new lawns.

Q: Should I put peat moss or straw over grass seed?

A: To be honest, peat moss is much better than straw because it ensures your grass seeds germinate.

Q: What is the best way to apply peat moss?

A: The preferred method of applying peat moss is manual, using either a special spreader or a rake.

Q: How much peat moss to cover grass seed?

A:  Cover your grass seed with about a quarter inch of moss. Note that you can add peat moss at any stage of grass development. Therefore, whether you add it after sowing or after germination, the moss should be about ¼ inch.

Q: Do you water after peat moss?

A: Yes, peat moss for sale is dry, and it’s critical re-moisten it before use. However, dry moss is hydrophobic; instead of absorbing the water, it just rolls off. Therefore, you must add a wetting agent or surfactant to the water before soaking the peat moss.

Q: Should you soak peat moss before planting?

A: You must soak your peat moss in water before planting it. Fill your bin with water, immerse the moss, and let it sit in the water for a few minutes. Remove the wet peat moss and squeeze a little to eliminate excess water. You can then add it to the soil at a 1:1 ratio.

Read: How Long Does it Take for Sod to Take Root?

Final Thoughts

Spreading peat moss over your grass seeds is an excellent way to boost healthy and desirable grass. You can quickly and easily apply peat moss over grass using a peat moss spreader, a rake, or your hands. However, a peat moss spreader is faster and more effective.