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long Island

I would imagine, there must be someplace that I can buy some straw, on Long Island.

It sounds like a good solution to my mulching problem.

Is it a good idea, or will I be importing all kinds of bad stuff into my pumpkin patch and flower gardens?

For those of you that need a good laugh, I don't even know what straw is. I also don't know what hay is. For all I know its the same thing. I am extremely familiar with concrete sidewalks, traffic, trains, subways, and the 68th floor.

6/12/2011 9:36:53 AM

Polson, Montana

Straw can lock up your nitrogen as it decomposes. I would suggest putting newspaper (doubled) down then put the straw on top of it.

6/12/2011 10:30:15 AM

Hinckley MN

All carbon based mulch will cause nitrogen to be used for its own decomposition, rather than the plant. once the material is decomposed, the nitrogen becomes available for the plant again. sawdust and woodchips can tie up nitrogen for years, coarse straw and hay for 1 season, and paper and grass clippings for a month or so, but that is AFTER it is incorporated OR if the nitrogen has to pass through the mulch before it gets to the roots. In my gardens I use 4 sheets of newspaper covered with grass clippings. If most of your nitrogen is already under the mulch. I incorporate manure and other fertilizer before laying the mulch as well as lay drip lines under the mulch if I'll be fertigating (fertilizing through irrigation water).

6/12/2011 2:12:21 PM

Tinykinville

okay straw bad idea, zero helpfull value, hay chaff or lawn clippings goood but will be at least a year before you see benefit.

6/16/2011 3:38:38 AM