how much hay to cover garden

Stout recommended an eight inch layer of hay mulch between plants to discourage weeds, improve the quality of the soil, conserve moisture, preserve temperature, and create a pleasing appearance.

Is Hay good for garden soil?

Hay will not give you a dry layer of cover that is pleasing to look at, but it is a great mulch for growing flowers and vegetables, and you'll get a fantastic yield. To start a garden, with seeds or starters, first create a thick layer of hay, up to eight inches (20 cm.), right over your garden soil.

Does Hay keep weeds out of garden?

Aside from well-aged compost, hay is arguably the best mulch for a vegetable garden. Like straw, it's a good insulator, effective against weeds, and breaks down quickly to enrich the soil.

Should I till straw into my garden?

Do not mix straw into the garden soil, as it will change the carbon/nitrogen ratio of the soil and throw things out of balance; rather, let it break down on top as a mulch. It will work its way in once it has broken down and not disrupt the lifecycles of the organisms in the soil that way.

How long does it take for hay straw to decompose?

59- 10320 straw decomposed 49% in 3 months.

Can you use hay bales for gardening?

Hay bale gardens are perfect for gardeners with no space or poor soil for cultivation. Hay forms an ideal alternative to soil. Since the straw bale makes a natural pot for your plants, you can plant anywhere you have room for your bale.

How do I prepare hay bales for my garden?

The first week

Water the bale thoroughly, until water runs out the bottom of the bale. Sprinkle the surface with a nitrogen source (see box), applying at the recommended rate.
Every other day, add more of the nitrogen source; water thoroughly. ...
On the days you don't apply nitrogen, just water the bales thoroughly.

How long does hay take to decompose?

Some growers will leave the hay out for one full year to be fully saturated and partially decomposed.

Can you put hay around tomato plants?

Golden straw and wheat straw are good choices. Stay away from feed hay, as this is full of weed seeds. ... layer of straw around your tomatoes, but avoid touching the stems or leaves of plants since this can increase the likelihood of fungal problems.

Is it OK to put straw around tomato plants?

Straw: Straw makes great mulch for tomatoes. But stay away from hay, as it's full of seeds. Spread a 3-6” layer around tomatoes. Newspaper or Cardboard: Newspaper is best for blocking weeds.

What kind of straw do you use in a vegetable garden?

The best straw for gardening comes from wheat or oats, if you can get it. Most of the seed has been removed depending on how effective the farmer's thresher is and how much weed has grown in his field. But I still wouldn't put it in your compost heap unless it's hot enough to destroy the seed.

What do you put between garden rows?

Low-nutrient loose, organic mulches, such as hardwood and softwood chips, sawdust, straw, dead leaves, bark chips and bark shreds, are suitable for spreading between vegetable rows. Spread a 2- to 5-inch layer of the mulch on bare soil, or place it on top of another weed-control material.

How do you start a straw garden?

For effective straw bale gardening:

Use straw, not hay. Hay is made from alfalfa and grasses that still have the seeds attached, and these seeds will turn into weeds when the germinate and sprout. ...
Locate the garden near a water source. ...
Solarize the bales. ...
Use short plants. ...
Plant in full sun. ...
Avoid pooling water.

What can I do with old round hay bales?

There are a host of ways to use spoiled hay in your garden to improve your soil or protect your plants.

Mulch. Spread spoiled hay under your flowers and vegetables as an organic mulch. ...
Soil Amendments. ...
Compost. ...
Make A Garden Bed.

Should you rake up straw after grass grows?

Should I rake it up? A: Unless there's so much there that it's matting down the new grass, I'd say don't bother. Once the grass gets growing and you start mowing, the straw will get chopped up and end up disappearing into the blades. If you've got mats here and there, rake them up and compost the straw.

Is hay or straw better for compost?

Straw is relatively free of seeds and the few that remain on the stalks shouldn't pose a problem, as they will rot right along with the rest of the plant in the compost pile. ... You can buy both hay and straw in bales at most garden centers, from farms and feed and grain stores.

Should you put hay over seed?

A: Spreading a thin layer of straw on a newly sown patch of grass is a good way to increase success. The mulch will keep the soil moist and protect the seedlings. ... First note that one uses straw not hay since hay has seeds that will germinate with the grass seed.

How long do hay bales last for decoration?

You can store hay indefinitely if the stack is managed correctly; although, in humid climates, using hay within three years of harvest is ideal. Hay growers need to bale it at correct moisture levels because if it's baled too damp the hay will generate heat, which leads to molding.

How much do hay bales cost?

“A five-year average fourth-quarter price for central Alberta mixed hay gives us a value of approximately $120 per ton or six cents per pound,” said Nibourg. “Assuming a yield of 1.8 tons, or three bales, per acre weighing 1,200 pounds, we arrive at a value of $72 per bale.

Can you grow potatoes in hay bales?

Hay or straw bales make an excellent garden for your potatoes. This method of growing potatoes is ideal for those with limited space or whose soil is unsuitable for growing.

Can you grow carrots in straw bales?

Growing carrots in a hay bale is an easy way to create a garden even if you have very little space. ... All you need is a bale of hay and a sunny place to set it, a few carrot seeds and some water, and you're ready to grow. Carrots love cool weather, so they fare best in the early spring or in the fall.

How do you grow strawberries in hay bales?

Open up a V-shaped hole about 7 inches deep in the hay bale with your trowel and tuck a strawberry seedling into the bale. Spread the plant's rootlets over the bottom of the hole. Continue planting until all of the seedlings are planted.