Straw Bales with Seeds?

**donnainzone5** 10/21/2016, 7:00 pm

Someone recently gave me a couple of bales of "straw." Upon inspection, I discovered a great many seeds.

Should I trash these bales? Give them away? I'd hoped to use them as winter protection/mulch.

yolos 10/21/2016, 8:36 pm

I use the bales whether they have seeds or no seeds. It is so easy to remove anything that sprouts because the soil is so loose. But some don't like to do any weeding so it is up to you. You can always use it in the compost pile and hope the heat destroys the seeds.

**sanderson** 10/21/2016, 10:27 pm

Free straw bales!! Wonderful. I cut the sturdier stalks to 4-6" lengths and use as mulch. I toss wheat seed heads in the garbage and use the finer leaves in compost piles. Even though I watch out for seed heads, a few sprout but they are easy to identify and pluck! Straw Bales with Seeds? Mulch_12

**donnainzone5** 10/22/2016, 12:26 pm

Sanderson,

The bales I received don't look much like yours!

They're already molding a bit, having been outdoors in the rain for some time.

I truly appreciate everyone's advice. Although I don't mind weeding in the SFG, it's a pain in the flower beds. Perhaps I'll get some organic, pre-emergent herbicide and spread it this fall for those areas.

**Scorpio Rising** 10/24/2016, 8:43 pm

I am composting my bale. I lack Browns. So hopefully this will help me.

**donnainzone5** 10/24/2016, 11:50 pm

Scorpio,

What about leaves? Shredded paper? Cardboard? Coffee filters? Of course, adding straw can only help, not hinder.

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