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Garden Gate:  Should I mulch with straw?  |
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clux64
True Blue Farmgirl
162 Posts
Celeste
Blair
NE
USA
162 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 12 2007 : 1:39:53 PM
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I have a small organic vegetable farm in east central Nebraska. In an effort to combat 'horrific' bindweed in my planting areas, I've been putting down as much weedblock fabric as I can. My intention was to cover the weedblock with straw, but my husband thinks that our gusty praire winds will blow the straw away. I'd love some feedback from someone who'se had some experience in this area.
Celeste
"No matter where you go, there you are" |
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Love-in-a-Mist
True Blue Farmgirl
367 Posts
Shannon
Independence
Oregon
USA
367 Posts |
Posted - Jun 12 2007 : 5:19:21 PM
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I'm not sure if it will blow away. But if you get a bale with any seeds in it they will spread everywhere. If you don't have to use straw, it would probably be safer just to use the weedblock fabric. I used straw 2 years ago and now have a big problem with grass. A friend did the same.
http://love-in-a-mist-shannon.blogspot.com/ |
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AliShuShu
True Blue Farmgirl
150 Posts
Alison
Charlotte
NC
USA
150 Posts |
Posted - Jun 12 2007 : 5:34:13 PM
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we're using grass clippings... we collect when we mow and put it around the plants to keep moisture in.. it also discourages weeds... do NOT let the grass go to seed... otherwise, you will have grass in your garden
Alison
I think that if ever a mortal heard the voice of God it would be in a garden at the cool of the day. ~F. Frankfort Moore, A Garden of Peace
Namaste'
www.shumusings.com |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jun 12 2007 : 7:45:12 PM
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Alison-
That is what I am doing too when I get back from vacation. I am also going to lay down newspaper before I put the grass clippings down. Since I have a really bad problem with Common Mallow and bindweed, I am going to just take a whole newspaper and lay it down between the rows. I will take a section and fold it to fit between the plants and then all will get covered with grass clipping and then watered to hold it all down. I might even water really well a few hours before I lay down the newspaper so the moisture is in the ground to begin with. I think this will also really help with water consumption.
Alee |
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Daisy
True Blue Farmgirl
107 Posts
Daisy
Thistle Sprig Farm
NW Indiana
USA
107 Posts |
Posted - Jun 13 2007 : 01:44:09 AM
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Has anyone tried laying old sheets down? I just went to the thrift store and bought some old sheets. I plan to lay it around all my vine type plants and then cover with straw or grass clippings. I thought if you used straw that straw was mostly the bottom part of the wheat and should have very little weed seed in it. I happen to have some old straw that my kids have jumped all in so I'm sure if there was any weed seed in it it's long settled to the bottom of the pile. That's what I'm planning on doing tomorrow actually.
This year I separated my vine type plants from the rest of the garden as last year our garden had acorn squash and cucumbers plants that rival Little Shop of Horrors plants! They litterally took over the garden!
Daisy
Thistle Sprig Farm |
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4185 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4185 Posts |
Posted - Jun 13 2007 : 04:48:07 AM
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| Tomatoes and peppers like grass clipping, cabbage family likes leaves for mulch. I would be a little scared of using straw, unless there is no weeds in it. Michele |
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Love-in-a-Mist
True Blue Farmgirl
367 Posts
Shannon
Independence
Oregon
USA
367 Posts |
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lamarguerite farm
True Blue Farmgirl
649 Posts
missy
Battle Ground
Wa
USA
649 Posts |
Posted - Jun 13 2007 : 08:25:27 AM
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I used cardboard this year and then covered with a thick layer of straw. If we've had a lot of rain, then I have to add a little more straw. I have raised beds(square foot gardening). Those weeds still manage to find the tiniest little opening to sprout through, but pull out easily and it's not near as much work as trying to deal with all the grass and weeds around the beds. I imagine newspaper would work well too, but would break down a lot faster.
Blessings,
Missy
If you have a dream, even if you don't feel qualified to accomplish it, just try your hardest.-Maggie Jensen
http://18happyhens.blogspot.com
www.LaMargueriteFarm.com |
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Garden Gate: Should I mulch with straw? |
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Should I mulch with straw?
