The fact that hay has more seeds in it seems to be moot, since heavy mulch
keeps them from getting enough sun to sprout. I've used it for the last two
years with excellent results in flower beds, having come to hate the rolls
of plastic/black stuff I've tried.
The red rolls for strawberries sound like they do more for that plant than
just keep weeds down. neat.


"MLEBLANCA" wrote in message
...
In article , C
writes:

I am planning my strawberry garden for this spring. Would straw be a
viable
alternative to woven plastic matting for weed control? Would there be
any
disadvantage to using straw? Also, what are some other organic mulches
that
can be safely tilled under?

Thanks
David B


Straw is excellent and what many commercial growers use in our area. I
might be tempted to try red plastic for mulching. It worked well with
tomatoes and supposedly promotes fruit production. Stay away from hay
since hay has too many seeds in it.



I just read a little about that . Strawberries grown with red plastic
mulch,
smelled better, tasted sweeter, and yielded more fruit than with black
plastic.
USDA in South Carolina report. (Pacific Horticulture /January)
Emilie