Straw blankets are excellent for using on sloped areas where you are trying to establish a turf or ground cover to hold the soil from washing out. They help maintain moisture for seed germination and help break a heavy rain that causes washouts. There is no chance for noxious seed like you find in straw or hay. Netting and straw are contained in the roll. All that is necessary for installation is to unroll and staple down with our steel staples. Straw blankets will disintegrate over time with no ill effects to the environment.