What Is Straw Mulch?
Using Straw Mulch
Straw mulch is added to lawns,vegetable gardens, and small fruits.
Its messy appearance doesn’t offer an aesthetic appeal in ornamental flower beds, so landscaping use is limited.
Image by Sherry Galey / Getty Images
It’s spread, usually by hand, and aids seed germination by keeping the soil moist.
It also spreads easily around established plants.
Bales are fairly lightweight; a 2-string weighs around 60 pounds.
When the string is cut, the compacted straw separates into flakes that pull apart easily.
Use this mulch undersquash,cucumbers, andmelonsto keep fruits off the ground.
It prevents soft spots, molds, and rot that can sometimes appear in wet conditions.
Use it instrawberry bedsfor winter protection.
Straw insulates the roots and later keeps berries off the ground.
Add a layer of straw around cool-weather crops likebroccoli,cabbageandcauliflowerto keep soil temperatures down.
Itslows boltingand extends the growing time for better harvests.
Straw mulch used around fruits vulnerable tosoil-borne diseases, liketomatoesandpeppers, limits splashback that causes the disease to spread.
Tip
Straw creates a loose, light soil covering easy for seeds to poke through.
Unless the soil is treated, this is not a mulch for good weed prevention.
Straw Mulch for Lawns
Straw is used almost exclusively to mulchnew lawnsor make repairs.
Retained moisture supports germination and young shoots grow through when the straw is spread correctly.
Spread 3 to 4 inches at the base of the plant and remove it in the spring.
For vulnerable shrubs, build a wire cage around the plant and pack it with straw for winter insulation.
Straw mulch makes an appealing winter home for rodents.
It provides nest material for mice, squirrels, and other small creatures that can migrate into your home.
Store unused straw in a separate, dry space and wrap or cover it if possible.
Straw is often overwintered for seasonal sale in the spring.
Flakes should be tightly packed and not separate within the bale.
Look for Local Sources
Check internet sites and newspapers for sources in your area.
Grain is harvested during summer and local farmers may offer baled straw after processing.
Most commercially sold straw comes from wheat which can be seedy and more prone to matting.
Uniform Size and Shape
If you’re purchasing multiple bales, look for uniform size and shape.
Stalks of fairly even lengths and widths are less likely to mat and easier to separate and distribute.
Grab the strings and give each bale a slight lift to test for even weight.
The bale should feel compact without flake separation or loss.
It composts quickly and improves the soil.
Straw can be spread before or after seeding.
For best results, till or dig it in after harvest .
Straw, Wikipedia
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