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What to use to mulch strawberries?

msqingxiaomsqingxiao Posts: 482
in Fruit & veg
First time growing strawberries, and I read that the most common mulch to prevent fruits sitting on damp soil is straw. But we don't have straw. Will some other materials work as well pls? We have: Cardboard, plastic sheet (e.g. old compost bag), bark chippings

Thanks!
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Posts

  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    Cardboard is probably your best option - at least until it rains and gets wet. I got a small bag of straw sold for animal bedding in my local pet shop. It's enough to keep me going for quite a few years.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • CrankyYankeeCrankyYankee Posts: 504
    I'm lucky to have lots of waste hay I can rake from my paddock.  People ask if I worry about it seeding in my strawberry bed, but by the time I rake it up it's just stems and the seedheads are long gone.  If you know anyone with access to a farm or stable, you might be able to get a grain bag full of straw.  I've also used bark mulch and pine needles.
    New England, USA
    Metacomet soil with hints of Woodbridge and Pillsbury
  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    What ever you do, don't use "field" straw from a local farmer. It is not they do anything wrong but we did many years ago get a straw bale from our neighbour farmer and used it around the strawberries. We ended up with so much sow thistle that it is still with us after all these years as just a tiny bit of root will grow into yet another plant. As @Lizzie27 straw for animal bedding could be the answer.
  • CeresCeres Posts: 2,698
    If there isn't a pet shop in your area and you are desperate, they sell straw on Amazon. I didn't use the stuff last year, hoping that a layer of something plastic related would do, and most of the fruits rotted in protest so it is worth using the traditional material.
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    I too use straw and like @Lizzie27, the pet bedding type is best.  I rather think some of the SM's sell it in their Pet dept.
    I think if you use plastic or even cardboard, it can make it harder to water the plants properly without a lot of faffing about.
    I've just picked some nice fat ripe ones this morning - first f the season.
  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    edited May 2023
    You can buy a mineralised straw mulch called St**lch, at good GC. A bit more expensive but a good product and the treated straw is said to deter slugs and snails.  You can use the rest around other plants in the garden. It takes about 2 years to break down so lasts well. 
    AB Still learning

  • februarysgirlfebruarysgirl Posts: 835
    edited May 2023
    I use dust extracted barley straw that I bought from Wilko for the hedgehog houses. Only £2.25.
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    @Allotment Boy  I've noticed Strulch being mentioned on several threads recently but I've never tried it.
    I'm not too bothered about it as a general mulch on the garden but do you reckon it is a better bet for the Strawberries ( raised beds and containers )  - particularly as you say it is also said to be a slug/snail deterrant ? 
  • msqingxiaomsqingxiao Posts: 482
    Thank you all! Will head to Wilko for the proper stuff then  :)
  • war garden 572war garden 572 Posts: 664
    grass clippings will work. 
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