Uses for straw

[elhuerto]

A friend has just dropped off a few bales of straw at the allotment. I'll use some for the melons / water melons next month when planting out but that should still leave a lot left over. Any suggestions for other uses? My strawberries are already planted through plastic, potatoes are just showing and other veg not planted out yet are sweetcorn, cucumbers, courgettes, aubergines, beans (dwarf and runner), tomatoes and spring onions.

Cheers!

[elhuerto]

[coznbob]

Some people use it as a mulch, haven't personally tried it, but it seems to work

You could try and earth up your spuds with it, though maybe giving it a good soaking after so it doesn't blow everywhere.. ::)

[1066]

As well as mulching, when the courgettes are starting to produce fruit pop some straw around the plant to raise the courgettes off the ground. I do this with pumpkins too

[Tee Gee]

This might give you some ideas; http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Growing%20on%20straw/Growing%20on%20straw.htm

[GRACELAND]

 :D

around the strawberries 

[skyblu]

save it for clamping your spuds?

[1066]

Sorry but whats "clamping"? thought that was something to do with illegal parking  ???

[Kea]

Use it for mulch around fruit bushes, really good for raspberries as it doesn't stop them coming up through it. i have it on my asparagus bed. Squash etc, you're lucky i have to go and buy mine.

[thifasmom]

Sorry but whats "clamping"? thought that was something to do with illegal parking  ???

http://www.allotment.org.uk/allotment_foods/Storing_the_Surplus_Potatoes_and_Root_Vegetables.php

http://www.the-gardeners-calendar.co.uk/Features/Potato_Clamp/default.asp

[skyblu]

Sorry but whats "clamping"? thought that was something to do with illegal parking  ???

;D illegally parked potatoes are a big problem round our way....  ;) actually it's just a way of storing them

[1066]

Thanks for the info - yes I've got illegally parked potatoes too, on a couple of my beds (ones that I mssed from last year   :D

facinating and a very practical way of storing, but personally totally put off at the thought of more digging!!

[GRACELAND]

 :D

so now you can use that straw :D

[elhuerto]

Thanks very much for all the suggestions. I will be putting some over the spuds, round the raspberries, courgettes and melons. Unfortunately the friend had the spare bales as they've just sold their horses so I'll need a new source of manure next year.