Beginner Gardening: Winter Mulch, 1 by Weezingreens

Weezingreens wrote:
It sounds like we all use similar methods in cold winter climes. Another reason for waiting til hard freeze to mulch is that unfrozen soil invites vermin into your beds to munch on the roots of your plant all winter...voles here.

If using straw, be sure to get straw, not hay, as hay has lots of seeds that will sprout in your bed come spring. We, too, add the used straw to our compost over the summer, but a pile of freshly raked straw, warm from the spring sun is much appreciated by our doglets, as well!