Farm Plastic Supply - Erosion Control Blanket - Straw Garden and Landscape Cover, Erosion Control Blanket, Straw Blanket, Erosion Control, Mulch, Slope Stabilizer, and Seed Protector

Why I reached for this erosion blanket

A bare slope beside my driveway had become a magnet for rills and muddy runoff after every summer storm. I needed something to hold seed in place, protect the soil surface, and give new grass a chance to establish. I chose the Farm Plastic Supply erosion blanket because it promised basic, reliable coverage at a size that made sense for a homeowner tackling a slope and a short drainage swale.

What you’re actually getting

This is a straw mat stitched to a plastic mesh, supplied in a roll that’s nominally 8' x 112.5' (mine measured about 7.5' wide, which is common in shipping). The straw is agricultural wheat straw that’s been mechanically stitch-bonded to the netting. The roll is light enough for one person to move and manageable to unroll like a carpet. Coverage per roll is roughly 840 square feet.

The construction is straightforward: a single layer of straw, held together with a fairly tough plastic netting. It’s designed to reduce surface erosion from rainfall and light sheet flow, while keeping the soil surface shaded and moist enough to improve germination.

Installation: simple, but anchor it properly

Prep matters. I raked the slope smooth, seeded at the recommended rate, and pressed the seed into the soil with the back of a rake. From there:

• I cut the blanket to length with large scissors. It cuts cleanly.
• At the top of the slope, I dug a shallow anchor trench (about 6 inches deep), laid the leading edge into it, backfilled, and tamped. This is worth the extra few minutes; it keeps water from getting under the blanket.
• I overlapped edges by 4–6 inches side-to-side and a bit more where the roll ran down the slope.
• I pinned it every 2–3 feet along edges and seams, and about every 3–4 feet in the field. On the swale, I tightened that spacing, especially at curves.

You can weigh edges with rocks or boards in a pinch, but staples (or biodegradable pins) give more reliable contact. Expect to use a lot of them—buy more than you think you’ll need.

One practical note: be mindful of trip hazards. The mesh can catch toes if it isn’t flush with the soil, and it’s easy to snag tools on loose edges.

Performance on slope and swale

On my driveway slope—call it a modest grade—the blanket did exactly what I wanted during two heavy rains. I saw no new rills, the seed stayed in place, and the soil surface underneath remained evenly moist. By the end of the first week, I had germination through the mesh, and it filled in from there. The straw provided enough shade to keep the soil from crusting while still letting shoots push through.

In a short drainage swale with occasional sheet flow, it also performed well, but only after I paid extra attention to pinning and overlaps. Water follows the path of least resistance; if there’s a gap, it will find it. With good contact and generous pinning, the blanket shed flow rather than billowing or undercutting.

Wind was a non-issue once pinned. Unpinned edges, however, will lift or flap—don’t skip the staples.

Material quality and coverage consistency

The mesh is durable for its weight and doesn’t tear easily during handling. Straw density is functional but not uniform across every square foot. I encountered a few lighter patches where the mesh was more visible. In those spots, I supplemented underneath with a thin layer of loose straw before laying the blanket back down, which evened things out.

The plastic netting is not something you want to leave loose on the ground—pre-cut your pieces neatly and collect offcuts. It’s also not pet-friendly. If you have dogs that charge across freshly worked areas, paws can catch in the mesh before the grass fills in. In areas with regular pet traffic, I’d choose a different erosion control solution.

Moisture retention and germination

This is where the blanket earns its keep. Because it shades the soil and reduces evaporative loss, the ground stayed noticeably damp between waterings, even on sunny days. On a south-facing slope, I got faster and more uniform germination than I typically see with loose straw alone. It also prevented seed migration during rain, which is half the battle with newly seeded slopes.

Durability and maintenance

I left the blanket in place as the grass established. It held up to repeated rains and foot traffic along the edges during maintenance. If you need to inspect underneath, you can peel it back carefully and re-pin. I also cut and re-used sections on a small patch near a culvert; the mesh handled light re-use without falling apart.

A word on storage: keep the roll dry and off the ground. Straw can develop a musty odor if it absorbs moisture in storage. If you’re not installing immediately, stash it in a ventilated, dry spot.

Environmental and safety considerations

• The straw is natural, but the netting is plastic. If you want it gone later, plan on removing it before roots fully entangle it. Otherwise, it will persist. If your goal is a fully biodegradable solution, look for coir or jute mats instead.
• The mesh can be a hazard for pets and wildlife in open areas before the vegetation grows through. Avoid using this in active dog runs or along paths where animals travel.
• Wear gloves during installation. The mesh edges can be scratchy.

Value and where it fits

For general homeowner needs—slopes, banks, and light-duty channel protection—this blanket hits a sweet spot of cost, coverage, and ease of use. It’s not a heavy-duty, double-net, or coir product meant for steep slopes or high-velocity channels, and I wouldn’t use it where concentrated flows are expected. But for lawns, garden banks, and mild-to-moderate slopes, it’s an efficient way to stabilize soil and help seed take hold.

One roll is generous for small projects and big enough to cover a sizable bank. If you’re patching multiple areas, you can cut it into sections without it unraveling.

Tips for best results

• Grade and firm the soil, then seed and lightly press the seed into contact before rolling the blanket.
• Anchor the top in a trench and pin edges and overlaps generously—closer spacing in windy areas or where water concentrates.
• Overlap seams in the direction of water flow (upper sheet overlapping the lower).
• Supplement lighter straw patches with a bit of loose straw underneath.
• Water through the blanket; avoid disturbing it during early germination.
• Keep pets off the area until grass has filled in and the mesh is covered.

Pros

• Easy to handle and cut; one person can install
• Holds moisture well, improving germination and early growth
• Prevents rilling and seed migration during rain
• Durable mesh that resists tearing during install
• Generous roll length for residential projects

Cons

• Straw density can be uneven in spots
• Plastic mesh is a hazard for pets and isn’t biodegradable
• Requires a lot of staples for secure installation
• Nominal width may be slightly under 8 feet as shipped

Recommendation

I recommend this erosion blanket for homeowners who need straightforward slope stabilization and seed protection on lawns, garden banks, and light-duty swales. It’s easy to install, keeps soil moist, and reliably holds seed in place through rain—exactly what you want during establishment. Just be prepared to anchor it properly, supplement thin areas if needed, and avoid using it where pets will run until vegetation fills in. If you need full biodegradability or have steep, high-flow conditions, step up to a heavier coir/jute mat; otherwise, this blanket is a practical, cost-effective choice.