Mulch Bank
As it worked out, we had just enough straw stored underneath our deck from what I had hauled up a couple years ago to just mulch this year's garden. But I still had quite a number of bales still down on the farm that I had to bring up for future years. A couple people from down there were headed my way so I asked if they could bring up what they could fit in the back of their trucks and they obliged. I helped them unload it during the hot part of the day so just stacked it in our driveway. The following morning while it was still cool and the sun was behind the trees, I lugged it all down and stacked it up underneath our deck and tarped it. There it will overwinter and allow us to mulch our garden next year and possible they year after.
I love using mulch as it makes the garden much easier to keep clean of weeds and with our poor depleted soil, helps us to build up organic matter quickly in the soil. More organic matter will add more nutrients for our plants and will also more easily absorb moisture meaning our garden will become more drought tolerant. It also loosens up the soil which allows tubers like potatoes, onions, garlic and carrots to grow easier and bigger. It is a classic win, win, win scenario.
Even grass is so problematic on out little patch that we have somewhat decorative mulch over weed cloth. We only have a tiny bit of almost incidental lawn
ReplyDeleteI applaud what you do because I personally think lawns are a big expense and sources of chemicals that eventually get washed into the street and our watersheds. I wish I could reduce the size of mine with a lot more landscaping and mulch that didn't need so much money or chemicals to maintain. Unfortunately, many cities mandate what you can do in those regards.
DeleteIt's great to have that taken care of for your future needs. I like to plan ahead too!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what I'll do yet when this last load of mulch runs out. I no longer have access to a truck or a trailer to get more. But I'll cross that bridge when I get there.
DeleteDo you have a problem getting seeds from the straw in your garden? I have added lots of mulch to mine over the past few years so the garden area is longer orange (clay). But I have been reluctant to add much stray or hay, for fear of getting more weeds introduced.
ReplyDeleteAfter a horrible experience, I'm much more selective on what straw I buy and haven't had any issues. The farmer I buy this straw for raises rye seed and it has had very little seed in it. The previous farmer I bought straw from bailed up a failed wheat crop and every time it rained, I got a fresh crop of wheat growing throughout my garden.
DeleteIf unsure, the best way is to drop the bale hard on a clean concrete pad or board and see what falls out of it. With these current bales, nothing but straw pieces fell out, i.e. no identifiable seeds so I was reassured it was exactly as advertised.
The rye around here seems to be mostly grown on pumpkin patches... with the straw left in the fields where pumpkins are grown.
DeleteNice to have a future supply to enrich your soil and plantings. And such nice people who brought it up to you!
ReplyDeleteI am blessed on both accounts!
DeleteI don't like using straw as there are too many weed seeds. Maybe that's just here.
ReplyDeleteThat can happen here which is why I am very selective about which straw I buy.
DeleteSounds like a very prudent plan, Ed.
ReplyDeleteBetter than shlepping it miles one bale at a time like Seneca would have too these days.
DeleteSo nice to have ready-to-go mulch! It is such an asset. Your garden will only get better in years to come.
ReplyDeleteIt is tremendously better this year than last so I can't wait.
DeleteI mulched our garden for the first time this year and it did help with weeds, though I think I mulched too thinly. Live and learn!
ReplyDeleteI find it easy to mulch too thinly. It doesn't take much light to make a week grow and push up through the mulch. Even mulching heavily as I do now, it still happens but it is much fewer weeds which makes them easier to remove.
DeleteGood plan for a couple of years! It will improve your soil:)
ReplyDeleteThe soil in our previous garden always held moisture well and was so easy to work in the spring due to years of mulching.
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