Strulch is made from renewable and local resources which do not harm the environment and Strulch has been verified for use in organic growing systems. Availability I mulch the space between my garden beds with straw or bark mulch to reduce weeds. It saves me many hours of weeding and only takes a few minutes to do. This is a specific cereal crop that is steam treated to remove seed heads. Unlike basic straw and hay, alfalfa mulch starts out green. As these mulches break down they turn golden and provide a wealth of nutrients into the soil — especially nitrogen, which is an essential part of healthy garden soil.After all, alfalfa meal is used as a nitrogen supplement in organic fertilizers!

Use a fork to prise the plants out of the soil, taking care not to damage, cut or bruise the tubers, as this can lead to rots developing in storage It's fairly easy to make your own organic mulch from shredded materials around your garden such as leaves or grass. Also, it can actually improve the quality of your soil, so a good option for those looking for a natural alternative.Some have expressed concern about whether pine straw is acidic. If it has turned brown and naturally fallen from the tree, it’s essentially pH neutral. Green pine needles are still mildly acidic, but the dry brown ones have lost most of that acidity. Pros And Cons Of Straw Mulch Straw is effective at reducing soil erosion both in gardens and on hillsides. Source: TranBC These are the remnants of cereal and grain crops that are used for mulch material. Straw differs from hay only slightly because it’s the remaining hollow stalks of wheat, barley, or rye. A: Straw is a type of mulch. However, if you’re referring to wood chips, there are different and more appropriate applications for each. Certain plants do well with wood chips while others do better with straw.

If you’re interested in more expensive alfalfa or hay mulches, consider a good cost-benefit analysis before spending money. Sometimes larger gardens would do just as well with a free source of mulch rather than something that will cost a lot of money to incorporate in composting or garden soil. It acts as an insulating blanket for the soil, keeping plants cooler during hot summers and warmer during cold weather. This results in healthier plants and a longer growing season. Less Time Weeding It must be clarified that straw, and not hay, should be used for mulching. This is because hay can sometimes contain seeds that can cause weeds to grow in your garden as well as harmful pesticides. Straw is the leftover stalk from the grain after it's been harvested, therefore you should always look for a pesticide-free straw to add to your beds. Compost If you mulch too late after the first hard frost, you may keep the ground at a consistent temperature that is too low (below freezing), possibly killing your plants. Why Should I Mulch My Garden in the Winter?Adds organic matter: Strulch is biodegradable and will break down over time, adding valuable organic matter and nutrients to the soil. N – 0.6%, P2O5 – 0.2%, K2O – 1.6% percentage dry matter, plus calcium, magnesium and iron (0.75%) and organic acid preservative. Strulch encourages earthworm activity by acting as a long term food source for surface feeding species. The benefit of mulching grass is that you're able to make this mulch with a lawn mower very easily. Using the shredded grass you've collected, you can layer this on top of your soil. However, treated grass shouldn't be used for this purpose as the chemicals can interfere with your soil. Inorganic types of mulch Another consideration to keep in mind when learning when and how to mulch with straw is minimizing weeds. Once you’ve weeded a garden bed, pathway, or other area, apply straw mulch. This reduces future weed growth saving you time and frustration. I also spread straw on my garden pathways in spring to keep them weed-free for the growing season. It’s not hard to learn how to mulch with straw and it’s an easy way to reduce diseases, prevent weeds, and conserve soil moisture. Garden beds: How to mulch with straw At the same time, water will filter more slowly into the ground, lessening the impacts of flooding and preventing overly soggy soil. Regulate Soil Temperatures