[BarrowBoy]

I read a post on here a few weeks ago and it mentioned that certain types of straw maybe better than others for strawberry beds.

Barley v wheat etc

Is there a right or wrong type of straw to use? i wanted to get some at the weekend to put down but want to make sure i get the right type...

[lucywil]

i usually just buy the stuff sold for pet bedding, dont know if its wheat or barley but i have never had any problems

[stompy]

I pay £2 a bail from my smallholder friend, he pays £1 a bail.
Just wheat straw, i also use it around my squash bed and fruit trees as a weed suppresant and to retain a bit of moisture through the summer 

[JayG]

I pay £2 a bail from my smallholder friend, he pays £1 a bail.

Good job he's not your enemy! 

[stompy]

? ? ? ?

[mikem]

? ? ? ?

Bail v bale 

[JayG]

More like joke lying flat on its face! 

[noshed]

I use shredded paper

[Yabba]

More like joke lying flat on its face! 

Not everyone missed it

¥

[starry]

I brought pet bedding and that was barley straw I have read that its pretty water proof that's why its recommended around strawberries ? wouldn't shredded paper just get wet so therefore make the fruit damp ?

[Aunt Sally]

It may have been me that mention straw for strawberries a short while ago.

One of the old boys on our allotment said that it is a good idea to use barley straw as when it begins to rot down, i.e. when damp or wet, it produces peroxide (that's why it's used to clear murky ponds).  The peroxide helps to prevent botrytis on your strawberries.

[BarrowBoy]

Thanks for the clarification...I think I will now go on a search for barley straw

[Paul Plots]

I pay £2 a bail from my smallholder friend, he pays £1 a bail.

Good job he's not your enemy!  

Enemies would charge: Buy-one-get-one-free £4 each  

[stompy]

He deelivers them for £2 all in 
Can't really grumble at that.
They're the big ones too. 

[Paul Plots]

He deelivers them for £2 all in 
Can't really grumble at that.
They're the big ones too. 

Brilliant!!

I have asked my son to bring one back from the farm - he keeps forgetting! 

Does your friend deliver to the south coast??