On Feb 19, 4:11*pm, brooklyn1 wrote:
troyc wrote:


Make sure you get clean straw (straw can be full ofweeds& seeds),

There are seeds in the ground naturally, with new seeds added to the
mix constantly, naturally, from many sources, by many means, by wind,
bird excrement, etc. *What one needs to grasp is that the straw will
deter germination/propagation of most seeds, even its own seeds, while
giving the ground cover plants time to take hold. *

It will only deter germination on seeds which are at the bottom of the
pile, most of which will be. However, trust me, I have seen people
increase their weed issues with dirty straw.

Once ground cover
begins to propogate it takes care of whatever fewweedsescape...
certain plants are called ground cover for a reason, thier growth
habit surpasses competition. *A secondary purpose of ground cover
could be to deter erosion but primarily to ensure that no other plants
compete, which is why it's important to choose the correct ground
cover for the locale... often folks indescriminately choose a ground
cover because they think it's handsome but if it can't compete with
native plants it would not become a sucessful ground cover.

Yes, quite correct.


and don't work it in to the soil - lay it on top. *Straw worked in to
the soil will rob nitrogen for a time as it decays.

That's what I said, why would someone work straw into the soil when
it's purpose is a mulch? * The concept of using straw as a mulch as
averse to a more sturdy mulching material, is that it will decompose
at about the same rate a ground cover grows.
Didn't you read and undertand what I wrote?

I understood it perfectly - no need to be snotty about it. We're
having a reasonable discussion here.

I wrote that as a caution, because *I've seen people do it* (and stunt
their plants in the process). They do it because they think if they
work a load of straw in next to their plants it will deter weeds and
provide nutrients in the process - not realizing the high C:N ratio
will tie up nitrogen for awhile. My reply was a caution to the person
who who was asking the original question in the thread. Chill out.