mulch hay for sale

Which is better mulch hay or straw?

Straw is the bare stalk remaining after a nutritious seed head, such as barley or wheat has been harvested. ... If your goal is simply to cover the soil, as for paths, then straw is fine. If your goal is to enrich your soil, then the nutritious hay is much better.

What is mulch hay?

"Hay" can make great winter mulch—but you must know just what you're getting. ... Hay is an assortment of forage grasses. It usually includes seeds of grasses and broadleaf weeds, so it is better suited for feeding livestock than for mulching plants. Straw is a collection of the stems of field crops such as wheat and oats.

How much does a truckload of hay cost?

The Internet Hay Exchange lists average prices of $121 a ton for grass hay and $165 for alfalfa. Save money by buying in bulk, as in a semi-truckload, or buying bales still in the field.

Is it OK to use old hay for mulch?

But using hay as mulch has some surprising benefits. It does indeed break down, but unless you have a very wet environment it shouldn't get moldy. Instead, it will start to compost, creating a rich layer of nutrients for your plants. This is especially good for seeds and starter plants.

Which type of mulch is best?

Shredded bark is one of the best mulch types to use on slopes and it breaks down relatively slowly. Some shredded-bark products are byproducts from other industries and are considered environmentally friendly.

How long does hay take to break down?

You can remove the hay or straw anytime after the grass is up for a minimum of about a week, depending on the weather, and depending on the time of year. In the spring when it rains more often, and it's cooler, and the days aren't so long, a week or two AFTER THE GRASS EMERGES is probably long enough.

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.

Does Hay help grass?

The hay helps hold the newly turned soil in place, preventing erosion so the seeds stay contact with the soil. Also, it adds nutrients to the soil as it decomposes, helping feed your grass as it grows.

What can you do with old hay bales?

Uses for Old or Spoiled Hay

Build a hay or straw bale garden. ...
Use the bales like bricks to build a compost pile. ...
Mulch your garden. ...
Use the bales as seats for an outdoor event such as Calgary Stampede, a country wedding, picnic or BBQ.

How much is a bale of hay worth?

Straw prices were steady and there is a demand for straw. Small square bales averaged $4.60 a bale (range of $2.00 to $6.00). Large square bale straw averaged $64.00 per bale (a range of $40.00 to $90.00). Large round bale straw averaged $58.00 per bale (a range of $40.00 - $85.00).

How many bales of hay are in a truck load?

Semi Full Load: a "truck trailer" also known as a "full load" of hay usually delivered direct to the ranch. Full loads consist of approximately 350 to 424 bales long distance domestic.

How many bales of hay does a horse need?

If you buy your hay by the ton, this would be 3915/2000 = almost 2 tons of hay per horse. If you buy your hay by the bale, you will need to find out the approximate weight of each bale. Assuming a 40 lb bale, 3915/40 = 98 bales per horse.

How do you break hay bales fast?

Hay bales can now be broken faster using hoes. Added hay bales. Hay bales can now be used to feed horses. Hay bales can now be used to breed llamas.

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.

Can you burn hay bales?

High-moisture haystacks and bales can catch on fire because they have chemical reactions that build heat. Hay insulates, so the larger the haystack, the less cooling that occurs to offset the heat. ... Hay fires usually occur within six weeks of baling.

What color of mulch is best?

There are three basic colors for mulch: black, brown and red. If you plant dark foliage or dark green colors, almost any mulch color works. As a general rule of thumb for flowers, pick a mulch color that does not work against the color of your blooms. For example, white flowers look beautiful with red mulch.

What type of mulch lasts the longest?

Generally more expensive than the other mulches mentioned here, cedar mulch lasts longer than most mulches thanks to its resistance to decay. Its oils are considered to naturally repel insects, too. BECAUSE this mulch is long lasting, it doesn't provide much nutritional benefit to the soil beneath it.

What is a good price for mulch?

Hardwood and dyed mulches typically cost $30 to $36 per yard, or $3 to $6 per bag. Premium mulches, such as those made from cedar or cypress trees, can cost $40 to $47 per yard, or $4 to $7 per bag.

Should I put hay over grass 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.

Can timothy hay compost?

I have a rabbit so there is old timothy hay to dispose of so I was googling "composting timothy hay" when I ran across an article that mentioned the contamination potential of the herbacide Clopyralid into compost. It can survive over two years in compost and harm/kill your plants.

How do you prepare hay bales for planting?

Before you can plant in the bales, they need some special preparation, so buy the bales at least two weeks before you want to plant.
...
The first week

Water the bale thoroughly, until water runs out the bottom of the bale. ...
Every other day, add more of the nitrogen source; water thoroughly.