Rod Speed wrote:
David Hare-Scott wrote
Rod Speed wrote
David Hare-Scott wrote
Rod Speed wrote
FarmI wrote
Jeßus wrote
Jeßus wrote

Based on past experiences, I tend to agree with the lady
author you know.

Hard to put into words why - perhaps it just 'beds down'
better compared to the stiffer, fresher/bulkier material and so
forms
a more effective covering, whilst at the same time providing
some organic material, bacteria etc. to the soil more quickly?

Is what you you are using straw of hay? The two are not the
same, they come form different sources, have different content
and behave differently.

Hmm...

Well, So far I've been using a random mixture of small
quantities of straw/hay since moving here rather than a
consistent type of hay or straw from a regular source. I'll be
ordering a large amount pretty soon though.

I *have* recently used a few bales of fresh 'oat straw', which
I've found is good to protect freshly transplanted plants
(especially sensitive young seedlings) from the sun and wind.

All seedlings will do better with some mulch rather than none.

Thats very arguable if you dont care about the water use.

I don't want to argue for the sake of it but even if you have an
infinite supply of cheap water you cannot always be there to apply
it and timers do not adapt to weather conditions unless you have a
very sophisticated setup with moisture sensors.

The only real effect of that is to use more water that you didnt
actually need to apply.

I don't understand this.

OK.

Are you saying that mulch causes you to use more water?

Nope, that the worst a less sophisticated setup with no moisture
sensors does is waste some water that did not need to have been
applied.
Please explain.

Just did, Pauline.

Mulch will help retain moisture

Yes, but that doesnt matter if you dont care about the water you
use.

I haven't yet found a situation where I don't care how much water I
used, when are you in this situation?

When the extra water doesnt cost you a cent.

and cool the soil, both are useful,

Not necessarily.

What do you mean?

Cooler soil isnt always desirable.

without attention.

Also as mulch degrades it feeds the soil and improves its texture.

It can also make things worse.

How? When?

When the decomposition of the mulch uses up nutrients etc.

It can also be a haven for undesirable pests and diseases as well.

I now understand much more about you and your odd posting style, no further
explanation is required thankyou.

David