Just a quick question....does straw or alphalpha hay make good mulch???

-- Anonymous, January 01, 2003

Answers

Hi There,

Just to clarify . . . compost and mulch are two separate things. Compost can be made from some of the same things that you use for mulch but the actual composition and the intended uses are different.

Basically, mulch is use around established plants to help retain moisture in the soil and to retard the growth of weeds. Compost is material that has been broken down to a point that it is available to the soil as a nutritional additive. Compost can be used as a mulch, mulch is not compost. Hope that is not too confusing.

Anyway, straw and hay can be used as mulch (and also be used to make compost :) The only disclaimer is that when using hay, you can introduce all kinds of seeds into your garden area and have a weed problem later.

There are many books (and web resources) available on these subjects.

I hope this helps.

Mike

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2003