Advice regarding the use of old straw ?

Guys Ive got 4 small bales of wheat straw that is currently being used to protect my treeferns. Some of it is damp,moldy and some dry.

Was planning on putting some on the raspberry bed as a mulch to suppress weeds.

Any tips on what i can do with this rather than burn it or put it in the leafmold pile as i did last year ?

Thanks for any info/tips

 

Good idea @martin-f

But is it time for a bit of VooDoo?

 

As a kid all my guy fawkes penny for guy was made from straw you don't see kids doing it now, good memories of my youth happy days .

 

Straw is an effective mulch; think strawberries. Not the most attractive but does a good job suppressing weeds.

 

You could use them as planters. You carve out holes in the top of the bales and plant directly in the bales. The straw keeps the roots insulated and moist and the slow breakdown of the bales provides food for the plants. In addition, the roots have free run of the place throughout the bale, making a stronger plant. When you are done and are ready to harvest the plant for the last time, you can then throw the whole planter into the compost and begin the cycle for next year!

 

Interesting idea kazzawazza......I like it Are these your plants?
Did you put compost in the carved out holes?
As with Redwing, I have used straw for, er, strawberries

 

Afraid not Verdun, but they do look good

 

Thats a good use for old bales. Only problem is they give me a bad flashback to when we had to shift hundreds of them on the farm on the summer holidays.

 

This link shows how to create a straw bale planter

Make a Straw Bale Planter - Bob Vila