[The Golden Heap]

What is best to place under strawberry plants, I thought straw, could i buy pet grade straw from a pet shop would that not have chemicals or anything in, also a pesky slug?? took the first ripe one!

[Eblana]

I bought a bag in the local pet shop, nothing on the bag to indicate it had been treated with anything.  I put down slug pellets under it to be on the safe side as I have no plans on sharing my strawberries with the slugs.

[The Golden Heap]

Thanks, the slugs have been back again lucky blighters

[Nij48]

I am using home grown straw this year (and probably for the next few years) - my 'fruit patch' had some amazing grass when I took it on - I strimmed it and put it in a builders/tonn bag stored in the shed - perfect straw

[m1ckz]

if it was grass..then you will get hay not straw lol

[Nij48]

if it was grass..then you will get hay not straw lol

haha shows how much I know lol - I am a total newbie

[snowdrops]

You might find that it is silage now unless it was absolutely dry Don't worry we all started learning somewhere. Wish this forum was about when I started learning. Actually change that- wish computers were invented

[Nij48]

You might find that it is silage now unless it was absolutely dry Don't worry we all started learning somewhere. Wish this forum was about when I started learning. Actually change that- wish computers were invented

Very dry - it was cut dry and left in the shed all the way through.
What would you use it for? Sorry

[snowdrops]

Compost,have you got a compost bin,add it in thin layers.

[surbie100]

I'm experimenting with one bed with straw over membrane, and one with soil - will see which one performs best...

The straw got really damp and mouldy last year, not nice on the berries!

[Nij48]

Compost,have you got a compost bin,add it in thin layers.

Yep, I have two (will get another soon)

Cheers for the advise

[snowdrops]

Just a thought if it has seed heads you will need to chop them off,it's doubtful that your bin will get hot enough to kill the seeds off & then you will effectively be planting it all when you add the compost to the plot.

[Nij48]

Just a thought if it has seed heads you will need to chop them off,it's doubtful that your bin will get hot enough to kill the seeds off & then you will effectively be planting it all when you add the compost to the plot.

There should be a thanks button - ill have to go through them like but I have nothing better to do at the mo as I am not meant to be doing any heavy lifting

[Garryac]

Don't buy it from the pet shop ..very expensive you can get a full bale for about 4quid from an equestrian supplier

[gavinjconway]

Best straw is "barley straw" as it keeps from going mouldy the longest.. find a local barley farmer and get a bale or ask if you can rake  some up after combining.