Straw and Paper Mulch

We have put in an organic garden and are working hard to make it organic and yet very gardener friendly. Since this is it's first year, the area has been very difficult to keep weeded. The veggies are growing great, but... the weeds are so hard to keep on top of. We need to use some week prevention and have considered using this method: Lay soaker hoses, cover with eight layers of newspaper then cover with several inches of straw.

Now... we really like this idea, but we are concerned with the straw blowing about. We are here in IL, and get plenty of wind, so can anyone tell me if the straw blows around? Does it just stay put? From what I have read this seems to be a fairly common organic weed barrier, but I haven't found anything out about problems with wind.

We would also like to winterize the garden this way, but the same question arises.. will the straw blow from here to Oklahoma?

Thanks for the help in advance!

I don't use drippers ...but have used the paper straw routine for decades....I put something like cow manure in the straw too- to weight it down until it settles in.Don't forget that straw draws down the nitrogen so you have to use a counter to that.....any manure is fine so long as it is aged.Make sure you put a little under the paper too before laying the sheets down and wet them as you go...if you can afford it use lucurne hay as it is a legume it won't draw down the nitrogen ...but will feed the soil as it breaks down.....Good luck :)

I am not sure how large your garden is but, you might consider laying plastic down (like garbage bags) It will only take a short time for the weeds to fry. Hold it down with a couple of rocks.

chris

Staying6,
Summerkid uses shredded paper in her gardens and I was amazed the first time I saw it. It is light and fluffy, yet doesn't blow around, it doesn't look bad at all.. and there are NO weeds where she has it laid. It really was amazing. Maybe you could d-mail her and ask for pics.

I have always used flat newspaper and it does work, but I also always worry about sufficating more than just the weeds. I have been shreding as much as I can and in the fall will mulch my beds with the shredded paper and try for myself.

Fran

We've used straw for more than a decade. Each year we ut down about 40 bales in all of the beds, flower and veggie alike. We don't shred it, though many do. In my little micro climate, we almost always have a breeze when down the road there is none. And when everyone around us has a breeze, we have WIND.

The straw stays put. I do water it well when we first put it down but after that no special care. Breaks down over the season and ready to put more on the next spring. A strand or two may end up on the lawn, carried by the pups when they help garden, but really, not much at all.