Mulching

Dear Stan;

I am interested in mulching this fall. Could you please tell me how to mulch using straw. Does it need to be chopped fine, or do you leave it in fairly large pieces? I am a "new gardener". Thanks for your time.

Sandra

Sandra - good to hear from you. The best mulch IS straw. It opens the soil if cultivated to a depth of 5 or 6 inches, as well it will add fiber or tilth, a much need requirement in worked or overworked soils. When I was with the Edmonton Parks Hort section, I had the crews in the greenhouse and outside crews add straw to the soils to amend and up-grade the growing conditions. If you are using the mulch to but cover the ground as a weed barrier and as a cover to preserve moisture and temperatures, you will find that fine chopping is best, as there is less air movement through the mulch. Not all that bad especially when you rototil or dig the straw into the soil by spring. The biggest draw back when using any grain product, is the inevitable weed crop: It only takes one good cultivation after the seeds germinate to control that problem.

Good luck.