Prevent Birds From Eating Grass Seed With A Simple Solution

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Birds can be one of the most beautiful features of a lush outdoor space, filling it with a new sense of life. But whether you're looking to bring more pollinators into your yard and garden or you already enjoy the presence of a few avian visitors, you might not want the birds messing with your freshly spread grass seeds. Not only will they leave your grass feeling patchy, but it can be difficult to prevent the birds from returning to feast if you decide to spread additional seeds. While scarecrows and netting can be effective solutions, burlap sheets offer a surprisingly low-maintenance and durable option that is accompanied by a number of benefits for growing grass. The breathable fabric shields your seeds from hungry beaks while also allowing water, light, and air to reach the soil, creating the perfect environment for seed germination in the process. 

A single 40-inch by 15-foot sheet — like this FIBEUSION Natural Burlap Fabric — will cost you under $20. Meanwhile, wider versions are available for under $40. These sheets are also reusable, meaning you won't need to buy them again in the future unless you seed a larger portion of the yard. 

Start by cutting your burlap to the proper size and spread the grass seeds. Give the ground a thorough watering and place your sheets directly over the seeded area. Weigh each sheet down with rocks you find around your garden or use plant stakes. Keep checking under the burlap for signs of growth and remove it immediately once the seedlings sprout.

You might be wondering what makes burlap sheets stand out amongst the other seed protection methods. For starters, burlap is a fairly simple material to utilize, as it doesn't require complicated installation or a structure to be effective. The woven fiber acts as a barrier between your seeds and any prying beaks that might be looking for an afternoon snack. Compared to netting, which consists of a wider grid pattern, burlap remains more effective, as its woven fabric makes it difficult for birds to access the soil. Additionally, any form of netting will require a structure to keep it slightly off the ground. The net would be ineffective lying flat on the soil, as birds could easily get through the grid pattern to access your precious grass seeds. 

There are plenty of other methods for keeping birds off your garden and yard that don't require the use of netting, including liquid bird repellent and straw. While these can be effective, they don't stack up to the durability and versatility of burlap sheets. For example, bird repellent is fairly limited in its application around your yard. Burlap sheets can be repurposed in a number of creative ways around your home and garden or reused the following year. Similarly, the major downside of using straw mulch is that it tends to blow away in windier conditions and cannot be held down in the same way that burlap can.

In addition to keeping prying birds away from your grass seeds, burlap is beneficial for promoting healthy plant growth. The material itself is loosely woven and porous, allowing water, air, and some sunlight to reach the soil underneath. It also helps retain moisture, which promotes healthy seed germination and keeps your grass looking greener. Likewise, burlap is effective at trapping heat, which can be helpful in colder climates, especially if you're seeding grass in the spring when temperatures fluctuate. If you're worried about your seeds washing away during a particularly harsh wet season, burlap sheets offer an excellent way to prevent seed erosion. They also provide a barrier against harmful UV rays. 

Be advised that using burlap sheets can prevent sunlight from reaching your grass starters. So, once the seeds begin to germinate, it's important to remove the burlap coverings to allow the seedlings their full fix of sunlight each day. Additionally, burlap sheets can be expensive if you are covering a massive area of your yard. However, since these sheets are reusable, they may be a worthwhile investment if you find yourself seeding grass each year.