Abstract: A laminated mat for growing lawns or other vegetation on soil comprises a base sheet of water-pervious, bio-degradable web material. Joined to the base sheet by an adhesive binder is a bed formed of dried gel particles, seeds, and dried compressed peat particles. Secured to the bed of seeds, gel, and peat particles is an upper laminate comprising a fibrous, porous veil which protects and retains the bed therebelow. The upper veil is water pervious to pass water therethrough to the bed of gel particles, peat particles, and seeds. The gel particles absorb up to 200 times their weight in water, facilitating wetting of the peat particles and seeds, and creating sufficient weight in the mat to resist high wind lift forces. The bio-degradable veil also easily expands to retain the web, expanded peat and gel particles and the seeds entrained thereby.