Comments on: Using Hay as Mulch for Organic Gardening http://compostguide.com Tips for home composting Wed, 16 May 2012 14:28:37 +0000 hourly 1 By: steve http://compostguide.com/how-to-use-mulch/comment-page-1/#comment-1499 steve Wed, 16 May 2012 14:28:37 +0000 http://compostguide.com/?page_id=79#comment-1499 @Nick, I suggest looking for an invasive ground cover that will work well in your climate and one that you think looks most attractive, then buy some and allow it to take over. @Nick, I suggest looking for an invasive ground cover that will work well in your climate and one that you think looks most attractive, then buy some and allow it to take over.

]]> By: Nick http://compostguide.com/how-to-use-mulch/comment-page-1/#comment-1468 Nick Tue, 08 May 2012 07:26:15 +0000 http://compostguide.com/?page_id=79#comment-1468 I have a drainage ditch on my property that the county had dug for an over flow. Its about 20' wide and 150' long. It is over ran with weeds of all types. County wont allow me to fill it in. It does not serve its purpose for they did not make a channel or tunnel that would connect to the drainage ditch that is beside the road. They wont cut these weeds down when they come to cut the ones along the roadside for I was told its not on county property. Over the years I have burned and sprayed and wasted money. I am close to the point of dumping diesel fuel in this ditch and let it sit. I really don't want to do this not for the fact it is illegal but I do care about the land and don't want to contaminate it. I will if all else fails, I'm tired of it. I just got done burning it and went through with a machete, again. If I were to place hay covering the area will this help cut down the massive weed growth? If it does and there is a chance of hay growing in its place I believe hay is easier to mow on down than these tree like weeds. Any insight from you I will try before diesel, Thank you I have a drainage ditch on my property that the county had dug for an over flow. Its about 20′ wide and 150′ long. It is over ran with weeds of all types. County wont allow me to fill it in. It does not serve its purpose for they did not make a channel or tunnel that would connect to the drainage ditch that is beside the road. They wont cut these weeds down when they come to cut the ones along the roadside for I was told its not on county property. Over the years I have burned and sprayed and wasted money. I am close to the point of dumping diesel fuel in this ditch and let it sit. I really don’t want to do this not for the fact it is illegal but I do care about the land and don’t want to contaminate it. I will if all else fails, I’m tired of it.
I just got done burning it and went through with a machete, again. If I were to place hay covering the area will this help cut down the massive weed growth? If it does and there is a chance of hay growing in its place I believe hay is easier to mow on down than these tree like weeds. Any insight from you I will try before diesel, Thank you

]]> By: Karl Hegbloom http://compostguide.com/how-to-use-mulch/comment-page-1/#comment-1466 Karl Hegbloom Mon, 07 May 2012 13:59:38 +0000 http://compostguide.com/?page_id=79#comment-1466 There are different kinds of hay. I think that hay made from pure alfalfa will probably have fewer seeds in it than hay made from timothy and grasses. Straw is made from the stems of oats or wheat, after the seeds have been harvested as grain. It is primarily used as animal bedding. Hay is for the animals to eat. There are different kinds of hay. I think that hay made from pure alfalfa will probably have fewer seeds in it than hay made from timothy and grasses. Straw is made from the stems of oats or wheat, after the seeds have been harvested as grain. It is primarily used as animal bedding. Hay is for the animals to eat.

]]> By: steve http://compostguide.com/how-to-use-mulch/comment-page-1/#comment-1445 steve Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:08:12 +0000 http://compostguide.com/?page_id=79#comment-1445 @Shari, Yes, you can mulch over seeds but it may slow the growth just a little. Maybe wait a few days to allow the seed and soil to warm up. Once the seedling sprout apply the mulch. @Shari, Yes, you can mulch over seeds but it may slow the growth just a little. Maybe wait a few days to allow the seed and soil to warm up. Once the seedling sprout apply the mulch.

]]> By: sharidue@gmail.com http://compostguide.com/how-to-use-mulch/comment-page-1/#comment-1427 sharidue@gmail.com Sun, 22 Apr 2012 23:28:52 +0000 http://compostguide.com/?page_id=79#comment-1427 You can ask for certified weed free hay. In some areas it's required within city limits so as to avoid the spread of non native grasses. You can ask for certified weed free hay. In some areas it’s required within city limits so as to avoid the spread of non native grasses.

]]> By: shari http://compostguide.com/how-to-use-mulch/comment-page-1/#comment-1426 shari Sun, 22 Apr 2012 22:02:32 +0000 http://compostguide.com/?page_id=79#comment-1426 Hi Steve. Is it okay to mulch with straw over seeds that were just planted? I am planting carrot seeds, cabbage and herb seeds on the surface of topsoil, covering with 1/4--1/2 inch of compost, watering well, then lightly mulching (2-4 inches) with loose straw to keep in the moisture in our very dry climate here in Northern Colorado. Will the seeds come up ok with the straw mulch? Thanks. Shari Hi Steve.

Is it okay to mulch with straw over seeds that were just planted? I am planting carrot seeds, cabbage and herb seeds on the surface of topsoil, covering with 1/4–1/2 inch of compost, watering well, then lightly mulching (2-4 inches) with loose straw to keep in the moisture in our very dry climate here in Northern Colorado. Will the seeds come up ok with the straw mulch? Thanks.
Shari

]]> By: steve http://compostguide.com/how-to-use-mulch/comment-page-1/#comment-654 steve Fri, 16 Sep 2011 18:33:57 +0000 http://compostguide.com/?page_id=79#comment-654 @ L. Fox, Both straw and hey will work, and no they will not grow above with the stray they will still grow in the dirt. As for adding the compost, I would recommend raking back the straw or hey, then adding the compost and pulling the straw and hey back over the area. @ L. Fox, Both straw and hey will work, and no they will not grow above with the stray they will still grow in the dirt. As for adding the compost, I would recommend raking back the straw or hey, then adding the compost and pulling the straw and hey back over the area.

]]> By: L. Fox http://compostguide.com/how-to-use-mulch/comment-page-1/#comment-650 L. Fox Thu, 15 Sep 2011 23:10:52 +0000 http://compostguide.com/?page_id=79#comment-650 I have found this article to be of SO MUCH INFORMATION - I am ready to re-do my home garden!!! I am just a 2nd yr gardener still trying to find the right combination of things. I did not know about the Corn stalks, I usually pull them out. So after reading everyone's comments, I am still confused IS IT HAY or IS IT STRAW that is to be used??? The title of this article says HAY. I tried potatoes this year with tublers, buried 6" deep, as they grew I covered them with straw, as instructed - didn't get a lot, still had to dig in the dirt - I thought they were suppose to grow in the straw - was disappointed. Another question: After laying the Hay/Straw over stalks, etc. in the fall can I add a compost mixture on top of it? Thanks soooo much for sharing this information. I look forward to hearing back from you. L.Fox I have found this article to be of SO MUCH INFORMATION – I am ready to re-do my home garden!!! I am just a 2nd yr gardener still trying to find the right combination of things. I did not know about the Corn stalks, I usually pull them out. So after reading everyone’s comments, I am still confused IS IT HAY or IS IT STRAW that is to be used??? The title of this article says HAY. I tried potatoes this year with tublers, buried 6″ deep, as they grew I covered them with straw, as instructed – didn’t get a lot, still had to dig in the dirt – I thought they were suppose to grow in the straw – was disappointed. Another question: After laying the Hay/Straw over stalks, etc. in the fall can I add a compost mixture on top of it? Thanks soooo much for sharing this information. I look forward to hearing back from you. L.Fox

]]> By: mahniay http://compostguide.com/how-to-use-mulch/comment-page-1/#comment-418 mahniay Mon, 20 Jun 2011 16:47:26 +0000 http://compostguide.com/?page_id=79#comment-418 Steve -I was wondering about that - if putting straw over the hay will do the trick. The hay is so thick and strong it seems to be crowding out the plants, so that's good to hear - I'll try it and thanks for writing. Have you ever had this happen? -mahniay Steve -I was wondering about that – if putting straw over the hay will do the trick. The hay is so thick and strong it seems to be crowding out the plants, so that’s good to hear – I’ll try it and thanks for writing. Have you ever had this happen? -mahniay

]]> By: steve http://compostguide.com/how-to-use-mulch/comment-page-1/#comment-412 steve Mon, 20 Jun 2011 13:39:04 +0000 http://compostguide.com/?page_id=79#comment-412 @mahniay, You may be fine with the hay, I would not get to excited yet. Yes, you could mulch with straw over the hay. @mahniay, You may be fine with the hay, I would not get to excited yet. Yes, you could mulch with straw over the hay.

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