Straw with seeds - can I use this for mulch?

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ErockRPh Glocester, RI(Zone 6a) Jul 16, 2011

I recently acquired a few bales of straw that I intended to use as mulch in my vegetable garden. I didn't notice it at first, but there are actually quite a bit of seeds in the straw. I was planning to use it for mulch around my corn, tomatoes, asparagus and berries. I was also planning to put a layer over the rows where I've harvested my spring crop to keep weeds under control until I'm ready to plant my fall veggies.

Will it be OK to use this as mulch, or am I going to cause more problems than it's worth because of the seeds? Is there anything I can do to limit how many of the seeds end up germinating?

It looks like rye straw to me judging by the pictures I've found online, but I'm not 100% sure. Will this winterkill if it does sprout up?

Thanks in advance for your help!

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HelenVT Charlotte, VT Jul 16, 2011

I would be hesitant to use the bales. Some seeds can stay viable for years. You could call up the Rhode Island Extension Service as they might have some experience. My extension service in Vermont has master gardeners that volunteer their time to help people with questions. You might have the same available to you.

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Dorkasaurus Albuquerque, NM(Zone 7a) Jul 16, 2011

We have horses here so there's always hay around. I use plenty of loose hay in my beds, and this year finally tried growing vegetables in hay bales. Hay by nature is much seedier than straw but it's what I had on hand. I only planted two bales but aside from plenty of mushrooms growing during the initial breakdown I only had one grass seed sprout.

When I mulch or till hay into my garden beds I do get a little grass growing but not enough to pose a problem. About 10 minutes a week for 2 or 3 weeks is usually more than enough time to pull up the volunteers, at least in my modest garden space (about 200 sq. ft.)




This message was edited Jul 16, 2011 1:04 PM

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