PETRAMAX ReadyRoll Biodegradable Grass Seed Mat for Lawn (54 ft.) - All Year Green 3-in-1 Tall Fescue & Kentucky Grass Seed Rolls w/Mulch & Fertilizer - Lawn Repair Patch - Just Roll, Water, Grow

A shallow slope on the side of my yard has been my personal Bermuda Triangle for grass. Loose seed washed downhill with every storm, straw blew away, and erosion kept winning. I tested the PetraMax ReadyRoll to see if an all-in-one, biodegradable seed mat could finally stay put and take root where other methods failed.

What it is and why it’s different

The ReadyRoll is a 3‑in‑1 mat: cool-season grass seed stitched into a fiber mesh with mulch and starter fertilizer already embedded. The stitched-in approach matters—unlike loose hydroseed or broadcast seed, the seeds are locked into place, and the mesh helps the mat cling to soil. PetraMax also leans on a classic, resilient cool-season blend: roughly 85% tall fescue for toughness and shade tolerance, 10% Kentucky bluegrass for spreading capacity and long-term density, and about 5% tetraploid perennial ryegrass (quick germination and early color). They also tout a higher-than-average Kentucky bluegrass seed density, which helps long-term fill-in once established.

The roll I used covers 54 square feet, which is enough for patch repair or a narrow strip but not a full yard.

Setup and installation

Prep is the make-or-break step with any seed product. Here’s what I did:

• Cleared the area to bare soil, removing rocks and thatch.
• Loosened the top 1–2 inches with a rake and lightly graded the slope.
• Pre-wet the soil until it was uniformly damp (not soggy).
• Rolled out the mat and secured the edges and seams with 6-inch landscape staples every 2–3 feet. On slopes, this is essential.
• Lightly top-dressed with about 1/4 inch of screened compost on the uphill half of the test area to compare results. I left the downhill half uncovered to see how the mat performed on its own.

The mat handled easily, cut cleanly with scissors, and conformed to the slope. Seams butted together without much fuss. The material isn’t heavy, which makes installation simple, but it does mean you’ll want to staple liberally on exposed or windy sites.

Watering and early care

The instructions call for consistent moisture—3–4 light waterings daily for the first couple of weeks, tapering as roots dig in. I set two orbit timers to pulse the zone for 6–8 minutes each pass and hand-checked for even moisture. The goal is to keep the mat damp, never letting it dry out between cycles. Overwatering will float seams or create runoff; underwatering will stall germination, especially for the slower bluegrass component.

I kept foot traffic (and the dog) off the area completely for three weeks.

Germination and growth

• Day 4–5: First green tips—almost certainly the rye component—emerged uniformly where the mat had good soil contact.
• Day 7–10: The fescue started to fill, and the mat took on an even haze of green. The compost‑topdressed half was noticeably thicker at this stage and held moisture longer between waterings.
• Day 14: The slope showed solid coverage with a few thin seams where I’d overlapped awkwardly. The uncovered side had a couple of dry edges along a walkway that needed re-wetting and re-seeding. The topdressed half was denser and darker.
• Day 21–28: Roots were holding the slope well, the mat fibers had begun to break down, and the stand had reached first‑mow height (about 3.5 inches). Bluegrass takes longer to show its contribution; by week four, I noticed finer blades filling between the fescue clumps.

On a second test—a flat, compacted patch near my deck—the results were more mixed until I loosened the soil better. Where I skipped thorough tilling, coverage was patchier. Once I raked that area to create a friable seedbed and kept the surface evenly moist, it evened out after a re-lay and 10 days of care.

Erosion control and washout resistance

This is where the ReadyRoll shines. The stitched-in seeds stay put, and the mesh clings well once pre-wet and stapled. I had two heavy rains during week one; neither washed seed downhill. Loose seed in this location would have been gone. If you deal with slopes, drainage swales, or bare banks, the mat provides a meaningful edge over traditional broadcast seeding.

The seed mix and seasonal fit

This is a cool-season mix ideal for fall or spring in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, Pacific Northwest, and higher elevations. In transitional zones with hot summers, fall seeding is the safer bet; the tall fescue component handles heat and traffic better than pure bluegrass. If you’re in a warm-season region (Deep South, Gulf Coast) and expect year-round green with minimal irrigation, this isn’t the right tool—consider warm-season sod or planting in the shoulder seasons knowing summer will stress it.

Durability and decomposition

The mat itself degrades over several weeks. By the time I mowed, fibers were starting to break apart and integrate into the top layer. That’s normal and helpful, as it maintains moisture and protects seedlings early on. After a month, most of the visible green mesh was gone.

Coverage and value

At 54 square feet, the ReadyRoll sits in the “small project” category: patch repair, narrow strips along a new walkway, or slope stabilization around a mailbox or culvert. Cost-wise, it’s more expensive per square foot than bulk seed and closer to sod in some markets. For large-area renovations, sod or a slit-seeder plus high-quality seed will usually be more cost-effective. For problem spots, convenience and erosion control may justify the premium.

What went well

• Establishment on the slope was the best I’ve achieved in that spot. The stitched seed and fiber mesh did exactly what they’re supposed to do—stay put and nurture germination.
• The 3‑in‑1 format eliminated guesswork on starter fertilizer and mulch. I didn’t have to haul bales or juggle rates.
• Moisture retention was good, especially where I added a thin compost topdressing.
• The stand looks like a proper cool-season lawn: fescue provides quick, sturdy cover; bluegrass improves density over time.

Where it stumbled

• It’s unforgiving of poor soil contact. Anywhere the mat bridged over a hard lump or depression, germination lagged. Take prep seriously.
• Edges and seams can dry faster than the field. Expect to spot-water.
• On high-traffic patches, I needed to redo areas where I hadn’t loosened compacted soil enough.
• Price per square foot makes sense for patches, less so for full-lawn installs.

Tips for success

• Prep matters more than the product. Loosen compacted soil to at least 1–2 inches. Rake smooth and remove clods.
• Pre-wet the soil before laying the mat. It helps the mesh grab and improves seed-to-soil contact.
• Staple generously, especially on slopes and along edges. Every 2–3 feet is a good rule of thumb.
• Topdress lightly. A 1/8–1/4 inch of screened compost or topsoil boosts moisture retention and evens out coverage.
• Water lightly and often for the first 2–3 weeks. Don’t flood. Consider a timer to maintain consistency.
• Keep pets and feet off until after the first mow at 3–4 inches.
• Mow high. Cool-season blends like to be kept around 3–4 inches for deeper roots and fewer weeds.

Pros

• Effective erosion control; seeds don’t wash away
• True 3‑in‑1 convenience with embedded starter fertilizer and mulch
• Strong cool-season blend with quick early color and long-term density
• Biodegradable mesh that protects seedlings then disappears
• Easy to cut and shape around obstacles

Cons

• Requires disciplined watering and careful soil prep
• Edges and seams can dry out, requiring touch‑ups
• Pricey for large areas; best suited to patches and narrow runs
• Not ideal for hot, arid climates without irrigation

Bottom line

The PetraMax ReadyRoll did what standard seeding couldn’t on my slope: it stayed in place and established an even, healthy stand in a few weeks. It’s not a miracle mat—you still need to prep, staple, and water diligently—but the stitched seed and fiber mesh meaningfully reduce the two biggest pain points of DIY seeding: washout and inconsistent contact.

Would I recommend it? Yes, with caveats. If you’re repairing patches, dealing with erosion-prone spots, or want a straightforward way to seed without juggling mulch and starter fertilizer, the ReadyRoll is a smart, time-saving solution. If you’re renovating an entire lawn or you can’t commit to frequent early watering, other approaches (slit-seeding, sod) may be more cost-effective and forgiving. For small to medium repairs in cool-season zones, though, this mat earns its keep.