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Minnesota([email protected])

I'm thinking of possibly mulching my three plants next week. Currnently my watering method is an overhead sprinkler. Watering this way can take quite awhile, moving the sprinkler many times. It seems the inner canopy is the most difficult to get moist. I should add it's been a very dry summer here.
I'm thinking of mulching to conserve water and keep down weeds. I assume it's best to mulch after a good rain/watering? Is there any danger using hay or straw mulch, regarding herbicide/pesticide residues? What type of mulch would you recommend? I'm leary of alfalfa, as it may release too much nitrogen. Any negatives you can think of using mulch on A.G.s?

7/14/2006 1:07:00 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Rye

7/14/2006 2:55:31 PM

Montoursville, PA

Laying, on the soil as a mulch allmost nothing will release, to much of anything. What happens is minor plant material composting in a narrow zone where the mulch meets the soil. The worms come up for it and the rain sends it down.

If you have a choice think what will give you the most boost for the buck when you till it in this fall.

7/14/2006 4:52:15 PM

Rhode Island

doug

personally we dont like to mulch with anything fresh like hay or straw. as it starts to decompose bacteria and disease are strong possibilities.

we never tried it but a large roll of burlap cut in strips along the main should keep the soil from drying out so fast plus it allows for oxygen to penetrate the soils surface.

7/14/2006 11:19:56 PM

Montoursville, PA

I totally disagree with Pap on this one. Second hand burlap bags have been treated against rot from some sources.

A good mulch is one, of the strongholds, of all good soil building. And decomposition becomes instant compost granules. The worms will move it about the patch doing their thing.

7/15/2006 4:17:53 PM

Iowa

Doug I always mulch my patch every year. I think it is actually a bit advantage, you get good weed control and the ground stays consistantly moist. So the pumpkin doesn't get a big surge of water after the ground has dried up. I don't even put dirt over vines, i just move the straw out of the way and then put it back over the vine. ( grew a 1200# last year)

7/15/2006 10:22:08 PM

Mn

HEy doug.

Goerge H. in our area uses straw for mulch. You can do one of two things. You can leave the straw(mulch) down on the ground under and aound your plant, or you can clear the mulch from out from under your plan as it grows. The straw helps prevent water loss, weeds, and also acts as a natural soil additive. Only a few farmers spray there hay grounds and its typically with fertillizer. As far as chemicals go the amount that would be found in hay/straw would be nominal to non-exsitent. If you do leave your multch under your plants i would asume that they would be more prone to disease, but you can combat this by using fungicides and watering in the mourning. Watering in the mourning will alow time for your leaves and patch to dry out.

7/16/2006 12:02:11 AM

Minnesota([email protected])

Thanks for all the replies. I think I'll try a mulch on at least one plant(likely on all three). It will save a lot of watering and weeding time.
Phonzie,
1200+ is impressive! If I break 800 lbs. I'll be quite pleased.

7/16/2006 1:44:28 AM