Straw is a great cover for new grass seed. It protects the grass seed from excess sunlight, birds, and insects. Besides, it decomposes to add organic matter to the soil. However, there are other covering materials that are effective at protecting the grass seed. Here are 3 straw alternatives for covering grass seed Sawdust mulch Sawdust is a great alternative to straw. It features fine particles that encourage evaporation which removes excess water from the soil. But with straws, you may end up with excessive water due to slow evaporation, which can damage the grass seed. Peat moss Peat moss is commonly used to enrich poor-quality soil. But it is also a good material for covering grass seed. Because it is an organic material, it will improve the soil with nutrients after it decomposes. Compost Applying compost over your newly-seeded grass lawn will help to retain moisture and, at the same time, feed the soil with nutrients needed for grass seed germination.