Re: straw for mulch?

 

I have always used pine straw...needles). They are light and airy and stay in place and they have the added benefit of being absorbed into the soil and I think 'feeding' the plants. The Siberians and Japanese irises have very good bloom. I also mulch a few beardless  species
 
Of course I don't much bearded irises here....our rainfall is far too much!
 
Ellen in northern New Hampshire where the JIs are not done....and Dennis Hager's JI 'Simply Stated' is in repeat bloom!
From: Ken Walkup <krw25@cornell.edu>
To: sibrob@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, August 6, 2009 7:05:48 AM
Subject: Re: [sibrob] straw for mulch?

 

Hi Polly,
I use straw too. It is possible to get damage from mice & voles,
but I don't know of an alternative that's any better, really. They must
be mulched.
Ken

pollyatperennialspl us wrote:
>
>
> I have mulched the JI and sib divisions I lined out this spring with
> straw. I am concerned it will draw critters in the winter under the
> heavy snow cover we get.
>
> The straw has worked excellent as a mulch. I will rake it off if it
> will cause a problem with mice, moles, voles or whatever eating the
> rhizomes over winter.
>
> Anyone have any experience with this? Does anyone use straw to mulch
> their sib beds?
>
> Thanks all!
>
> Polly
>
>

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