Hey everyone! I'm looking for some solid mulch recommendations for my raised bed vegetable gardens in upstate NY. Winter's coming, and I want to put the beds to sleep with some good mulch that won't disturb the soil chemistry or introduce unwanted seeds. I've previously used salt marsh hay in Massachusetts, and it worked wonders, but I can't find it here. I'm not keen on using cardboard because it doesn't look good in the gardens and I'm worried about pre-packaged hay or straw having too many grass seeds. Wood chips are an option, but I'm concerned about their acidity. Fallen leaves could work, but they might be tough to gather. Does anyone have a favorite mulch option available in this area that won't lead to a grassy mess? Any brands you trust would be super helpful! Thanks!
3 Answers
Straw is usually a better bet than hay for seeds, but just be mindful that hay can have seeds by nature. My go-to mulch is wood chips, but I wouldn’t use them if I plan on direct seeding next season. They’re awesome for transplants though! Also, the idea that wood chips lower acidity has been debunked, so no worries there!
I personally use Mainley Mulch brand straw and I also shred leaves that I collect from my yard. They work great together, just get what you can find locally!
I'm also in upstate NY and I swear by shredded leaves! I get that gathering them can be tricky at some spots, but they’re super easy to work with once you have them. Plus, if you watch out for bags left out on the street for pickup, you could snag some without much effort.
Right on, thank you for the input! That sounds like a great backup plan, and if I can collect enough, it might even become my main option!
Oh cool, great to know regarding that last bit! That's a relief!