Hey everyone! I'm trying to find a chemical-free mulch option for my vegetable garden beds. I stopped by a local eco-friendly hardware store, but they didn't have straw bales. Instead, I picked up some hay that has a lot of seed heads—seems like it could be prairie hay. Could this be a mistake for my garden? Am I setting myself up for a weed explosion, or is there a way to manage it without too much seed germination? If hay isn't ideal, what would you recommend instead? The nearest source for straw is Tractor Supply, but I'm worried about possible herbicides and pesticides in their bales. Thanks for your help!
1 Answer
Using straw is generally a safer bet. Hay usually comes with seeds, which can lead to a lot of unnecessary weeds in your garden. Once grass gets a foothold, it can be a pain to get rid of. So I’d stick with straw if you can find it.