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NEPA roller46@hotmail.com KB3QKV

We have always used grass clippings in our garden for mulch and to hold back the weeds and it always works for us but our garden is much bigger this year and we won't have enough grass clippings. Would either hay or straw work also? Which is better? Thanks.

4/20/2007 8:52:46 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Straw = less weeds...Straw that has been threshed is even better.

4/20/2007 9:05:42 AM

Rochester, Minnesota

I have found that both hay and straw have plenty of seeds in them, but at least straw doesn't bring in crab grass.

4/20/2007 11:02:21 AM

western PA

WHEAT STRAW. NOT OAT STRAW! oat straww grows oats.

4/20/2007 12:38:04 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Vader what does wheat straw grow potatoes?

4/20/2007 1:20:50 PM

western PA

haha

4/20/2007 2:39:30 PM

western PA

i was only letting him know that wheat straw cleans up better when they run it through the combine. leaving less seed or wheat stuck to the stems.

4/20/2007 2:41:34 PM

NEPA roller46@hotmail.com KB3QKV

Thanks for all the info guys. This site is the greatest. Maybe more info will come in before I buy it. So far it looks like it will be straw. I do not know which composts in the garden quicker but so far it looks like straw just for the reasons given.

4/20/2007 3:38:22 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

We sell a baled straw that is steamed to kill the seeds. As one might imagine, the energy used to generate the steam costs a bundle. Hence the bales sell for over $12 each! No weeds though.

4/20/2007 6:01:13 PM

Well rotted/wet/spoiled hay can usually be found cheap or free if you look for it,,,applied 6-8" deep you will see few if any weeds,, check out this link for an article by a pioneer, the late Ruth Stout:
http://www.motherearthnews.com/Organic-Gardening/2004-02-01/Ruth-Stouts-System.aspx

I was lucky enough to have purchsed her books in the '70's and find it interesting that science is now able to explain why this system works so well.

4/20/2007 8:03:07 PM

Simi valley, ca

Great place to hide for all the pill bugs & cuke beatles !!!

4/20/2007 9:45:50 PM

Bethlehem CT

I Use Whatever I can get my hands on the cheapest,usually hay. Hay that is dusty or of low quality I can usually get cheaply. Alot of times farmers will want to clean out there barns of poor quality hay before they cut another crop. I have no problems with weeds, I just lay it on plenty thick so that the weeds don't stand a chance. Also I think that most of the weeds that are in hay are less competitive in a garden situation. My biggest weed problems are pigweed, lambsquarters, purslane, and Hairy galinsoga.I don't believe those are found in hay in any significant amount. Everybody will tell you something different about this. Like Unkadan said check out Ruth Stout's books. I read "How to have a fantastic garden without an aching back" Many Years ago and I still use many of its ideas.

4/20/2007 9:50:58 PM