How to Mulch with Straw: A Step-by-Step Guide

Are you wondering how to mulch with straw? Using an organic mulch in the garden is an easy way to reduce weeds and how often you need to water. Plus, straw is inexpensive, widely available, and enriches the soil as it breaks down. However it’s important to make sure you’re using the right amount of straw and applying it at the best time. Below I cover all the basics of how to mulch with straw and offer tips to ensure your success. Read on to learn how to put straw mulch to work in your garden.

Using straw mulch in my vegetable garden is key to reducing my workload and creating a lower maintenance space. Knowing how to mulch with straw, also called garden straw, ensures that you’re getting the benefits of mulching without wasting time, materials, and money. As well, it’s important to apply the right amount of straw so your plants can thrive. Too much can impact sun exposure and reduce air circulation around seedlings. Too little won’t block weed seed germination or help the soil retain moisture.

There are many types of organic and inorganic garden mulches. Organic materials often used for mulching include pine needles, also called pine straw, shredded leaves, rice hulls, wood chips, and bark mulch. However wood chips and bark mulch are typically used in ornamental gardens, not vegetable beds. In food gardens straw or shredded leaves are very popular, effective, and easy to source.

Straw is my go-to mulch and for good reason. It’s inexpensive, available locally, reduces weed growth, holds soil moisture (less watering!), regulates soil temperature, and keeps the garden looking tidy. Garden mulching reduces the occurrence of soil-borne