What is straw?
Straw is the dried stems left after wheat or oats (or other grains) have been harvested. Once the grain is removed, the dried stalks are bundled into bales. Ideally there will be very few seeds or weeds in the straw bale. (Pine straw is simply baled pine needles and is a good option for mulching ornamental beds.)
Benefits of Mulching with Straw
Straw mulch not only suppresses weed growth, but moderates fluctuations in soil temperature and moisture. “A good covering of straw mulch will keep plants cooler, minimizing stress in the hotter parts of the day,” says North Carolina Horticulture Extension Agent Gene Fox. And because the straw reduces evaporation from the soil surface, you won’t need to water as often. Keeping the soil more evenly moist has many benefits. “Regulating moisture throughout the day is key in preventing physiological problems such as fruit cracking and even blossom end-rot in tomatoes,” says Fox. A good layer of straw mulch helps prevent diseases that are frequently spread by splashing rain. “As the rain droplets pelt the bare soil, particles are blasted into the air and often land on the underside of leaves, spreading bacterial and fungal diseases. Organic mulch [such as straw] will dissipate the velocity of the rain droplets minimizing the soil splashing, which prevents quite a bit of disease transmission in garden plants,” says Fox. Developing melons, pumpkins, and squash stay cleaner when they rest on a bed of straw mulch. It’s great for strawberries as well. “Some of my best strawberry patches are with a straw mulch between rows,” says Beth Chisholm, Whatcom County Community Garden Coordinator with the Washington State University Extension Service. “Just watch for slugs,” she adds.
Tips for Using Straw Mulch in Your Vegetable Garden
While straw makes an excellent mulch for your vegetable garden, there are a few things to know about getting the most out of this type of mulch. Use these tips when mulching with straw to help your vegetable plants thrive.
