Using Hay And Mulch In My Garden

Question

I would rather not use plastic in my garden to keep out weeds. I would like to use hay. Since that does not look pretty I am wondering if I can use colored mulch on top of the hay.

Answer 1

Hay contains seeds, and will likely cause a different set of weed problems. It can still be done, as it makes a decent mulch if you can keep it from getting an infection. It just isn't the best for weed prevention, since it seems to cause as many problems as it solves.

When you use plastic to kill weeds, you do not leave it down as a barrier. This is TERRIBLE for the environment. It is mean to be taken up after it kills the weeds, then you you use the correct fabric weed barrier before laying your mulch.

Here are some articles that will help:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/mulch/best-mulch-for-garden.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/mulch/benefits-of-using-mulch.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/vgen/vegetable-weed-control.htm