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Have any of you tried straw as a winter mulch ?

blueberry77blueberry77 Posts: 80
in Tools and techniques

I have quite a bit of spare straw and was wondering whether it would do as a winter mulch on my vegetable patch. Last year I put down a layer of manure, but it's unlikely I'll be able to do that in time for this winter.

Will the straw rot down OK, does it improve the soil etc ? Am interested in anybody's direct experience with this.

Thanks.

Posts

  • sotongeoffsotongeoff Posts: 9,802

    I fear you will either end up with a soggy mat-full of unwelcome visitors- or it will blow all over the place

    Far better to let it rot down in the compost heap-any thing that rots down in the soil tends to deplete the nitrogen content.

  • blueberry77blueberry77 Posts: 80

    Most likely "a soggy mat" given the current weather. I thought some people actually grew stuff in straw so was wondering if it would add to the soil rather than depleting it.

  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 29
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  • flowering roseflowering rose Posts: 1,632

    not for winter,it does not break down well and becomes a mess.Hay when mixed with horse manure is good when it has rotted well.

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,109

    image That's an expensive use for hay - it's up to £6 per small bale at the moment whereas bedding straw is £2 tops!!!


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





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