Are there some plants that need straw more than others in the summer or is it best to put straw down on the whole garden? I ask because I see and hear everyone does things different and I wanted to hear the opinions of the stew.
I think using straw as a mulch is more a personal preference than a necessity for the plant. I use shredded bark mulch instead of straw and I keep it on year round because it holds in moisture during the summer and protects the plant roots during the winter. I have read that straw is too good a hiding place for rodents so I don't use it, plus shredded bark is readily available where straw isn't.
very good to know. I do see what you mean a good hiding place. I think I will go your rout instead. Thanks
we're up in the north and there's loads of straw to be had around here, so we use it. even as we mulch heavily with it, to keep moisture in and plant roots cool in the summer, if a mole or vole comes around, we always see it by the mounds of dirt it puts on top of the straw!
I have been using salt hay for many years. It retains moisture and does not allow weeds to grow. From what I understand, regular hay has all kinds of seeds that can germinate, whereas salt hay does not. Not easy to find, unless you live close to the ocean or a bay.
that's interesting chiropod! i have never heard of salt hay. i had to look it up. so it makes like a matted covering, thicker than straw/hay?
I am glad to see this post -- I was thinking of tryng hay this year on veg plot. I didn't know that reg hay would seed weeds! I will try salt hay instead. I found a place where I can buy it when the time comes.
hay does not necessarily produce weeds. it has grain seed in it, like rye or wheat, etc.... this is what is fed to cows, horses, and other animals during the winter months. straw is usually the cutting of the plants after all the grain or seed has been cut and harvested. usually there is no seed in straw bales. if one mulches thickly, any grain or weed seeds that germinate will be leggy and really easy to irradicate.
Did you see that video on Ruth (oh darn, I've forgetten her last name)... that Toni posted recently? I liked how she was using the straw to cover over her veggies and thought I'd give it a try. I'll still use the cut grass too. That worked so nicely last year.
I have always liked using straw as mulch in the vegetable garden. It just seems clean, and with a lot of plants, it keeps the produce from touching the ground (dirt) It also decomposes well...
