Straw vs. grass clippings as mulch (2024)

FAQs

Straw vs. grass clippings as mulch? ›

Nutrient Source

It can create issues with trafficability, particularly in narrow rows (<2 m) and may be disturbed by grazing animals or flooding. Straw mulch can also harbour snails and other pests. In vineyards of low fertility, nitrogen drawdown caused by the straw can reduce vine growth unless supplementary nitrogen is applied.

Using clippings as mulch

In general, putting mulch around flowers, vegetables, shrubs and trees helps reduce weeds, conserve moisture and moderate soil temperatures. Grass clippings are a good mulch option with a few conditions: Do not apply more than 1 or 2 inches of grass clippings at one time. Use dry clippings.

And don't make the mistake of picking up hay instead of straw. If you have access to grass clipping without a lot of dandelions they can be much better, although they decompose quicker than straw.

Straw has a myriad of benefits as a mulch, from weed reduction to disease prevention. It's also a great way to prep your garden for winter. You can depend on Lucerne Farms for mulch products that are 100 percent natural and chemical-free.

Like cedar and cypress mulches, straw mulch can also help to repel insects. The straw itself is not an ideal food source for most insects, so they are less likely to be attracted to areas where straw mulch has been applied.

Even though pine straw can be a great alternative to mulch for several reasons, it also comes with a few cons. Pine straw has a shorter lifespan compared to other mulch styles and will only last about six months before needing to be replaced, meaning you will need to have pine straw installation occur twice a year.

Once the grass gets growing and you start mowing, the straw will get chopped up and end up disappearing into the blades. If you've got mats here and there, rake them up and compost the straw. Or work it into a garden bed.

Answer: Several organic materials can be used as a mulch around tomato plants. Suitable mulching materials include: Dry grass clippings (Do not collect grass clippings from lawns that have been treated with a broadleaf herbicide until the lawn has been mowed at least 2 or 3 times after the herbicide application.

Composting of high nitrogen materials such as grass clippings may lead to pHs as high as 8.5-9.5 as ammonia is released.

What mulch should not be used? ›

Finally, avoid large, bark type mulch or big wood chips. Since these big pieces take a long time to decompose, and they end up depriving the soil and plants of nutrients.

Straw mulch at the base of tomato and pepper plants also prevents the transfer of soil-borne diseases such as early blight to plant leaves. No water splashes up from the soil to the leaves because the straw absorbs it. A thick straw mulch also fosters the growth of large pumpkins, winter squash, and watermelons.

Mulch is pricier than pine straw, and it also provides less coverage. Mulch isn't as easy to spread around as pine needles. You will need to buy more mulch and exert more energy to cover the same amount of area than you would with pine straw.

Mulch provides more plant protection and helps the soil retain moisture, but it may be more expensive and require more frequent replacement. Pine straw may be the way to go if you're looking for a low-cost option that will still provide some level of protection for your plants.

There are several products that should never be used as mulch: sawdust, wood shavings and un-aged wood chips. As these materials begin to break down, they consume large amounts of nitrogen, depriving surrounding plants of this vital nutrient.

Since it is easier to muck out, it only requires little maintenance. Cons: Straw is dusty, non-absorbent and edible; although cheap, it can be quite costly as it requires a large amount to make a good bed for your horses. Its light weight means it is easily blown around – making it more difficult to control.

Previous studies have shown that straw mulching can significantly improve the soil water holding capacity, promote crop production, maintain the balance of soil organic matter, and facilitate soil nutrient circulation [4,11].