NEEPS North East Eco-friendly People's Site    FAQ   Search   Memberlist   Usergroups   Join! (free) >   Profile   Log in to check your private messages   Log in  What can I do with old hay? Page 1, 2  Next          NEEPS Forum Index -> RRRR - refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle View previous topic :: View next topic   Author Message Clydesdaleclopper Mini-Neepster with staying power Joined: 18 Jun 2009 Posts: 80 Location: Huntly-ish Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 9:15 pm    Post subject: What can I do with old hay? We have 4 large round bales of hay that were left here when we moved in. Any ideas what we can do with it (it is no good for the beasties to eat)? Back to top Maria Moderator Joined: 10 Sep 2008 Posts: 1908 Location: Huntly-ish Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:28 am    Post subject: Mulch for no-dig veggie beds? Layer of muck, then cardboard/paper for weed suppressant, then the hay. The worms will do plenty of digging for you then Can plant through it...and then in spring turn it in, digging any perenial roots out at the same time. _________________ Better late than never! Back to top Sassinak Auctioneer/Moderator Joined: 04 Jul 2007 Posts: 4327 Location: New Deer Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:31 am    Post subject: Trouble is that hay takes a long time to rot - much longer than straw. It works well unrolled as a pathway through the muddy patches in winter _________________ Sassinak Checkout my grandson's band www.engravedMetal.co.uk www.whinhill.me.uk Our Dogs - www.nyumbanibordercollies.co.uk Back to top Maria Moderator Joined: 10 Sep 2008 Posts: 1908 Location: Huntly-ish Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:38 am    Post subject: That's a good point Sass. Would it help the soil in the long run - espec if it's been compacted in the past? _________________ Better late than never! Back to top Sassinak Auctioneer/Moderator Joined: 04 Jul 2007 Posts: 4327 Location: New Deer Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:56 am    Post subject: Long term it will but you are probably looking at least a couple of years before it breaks down. It will make it very difficult to dig with the hay fibres there until it rots _________________ Sassinak Checkout my grandson's band www.engravedMetal.co.uk www.whinhill.me.uk Our Dogs - www.nyumbanibordercollies.co.uk Back to top Maidenstone Neepster Joined: 14 May 2008 Posts: 303 Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 2:22 pm    Post subject: It will also have grass seeds in it!  Get some dowels innoculated with mushroom spawn (Ann Miller, Durno) and poke them into it, and just leave outside. _________________ Local food - better by far! Back to top Maidenstone Neepster Joined: 14 May 2008 Posts: 303 Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 2:23 pm    Post subject: Sorry, Ann Miller - Wartle! _________________ Local food - better by far! Back to top Smooth Hound Neepster Joined: 14 Aug 2007 Posts: 8685 Location: near turriff Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 2:27 pm    Post subject: that sounds interesting, Back to top Smooth Hound Neepster Joined: 14 Aug 2007 Posts: 8685 Location: near turriff Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 2:29 pm    Post subject: you could also have them shifted to along your north side, giving you protection from the wind in the winter, or where ever your worst exposed to wind side is Back to top Clydesdaleclopper Mini-Neepster with staying power Joined: 18 Jun 2009 Posts: 80 Location: Huntly-ish Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 3:08 pm    Post subject: The mushroom spawn sounds interesting. Do you have any contact details for the lady? Back to top Display posts from previous: All Posts1 Day7 Days2 Weeks1 Month3 Months6 Months1 Year Oldest FirstNewest First         NEEPS Forum Index -> RRRR - refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle All times are GMT Page 1, 2  Next Page 1 of 2   Jump to: Select a forum Welcome to Neeps----------------Say HelloSite Stuff What's in the area----------------What's on TV/RadioWhat's on?Meet Up DetailsNeeps Food Co-opScottish ProducersLocal Links The Green bit----------------Views on the newsGreen BuildingRRRR - refuse, Reduce, Reuse, RecyclePermaculture & TransitionGreen ParentingGlobal Warming, Climate Change etcGreen Health & BeautyThe Debating Chamber The Great Outdoors----------------GardeningWeather 2006 - archiveGo Wild In The CountryPetsSheep, Goats, Pigs and Horses etcPoultryweather 2007 - archiveWeather Diary 2009Weather Diary 2008 ArchiveBee Keeping Make, Do and Mend----------------The North Eats........The GarageGadgets, Gizmos and Techie StuffThe Frugal FoodieBetter Than Bought Arts & Crafts----------------Crafty StuffPhotographyPoetry & WritingsArt & HistoryDressmaking The Fun Bit----------------A Wee BletherUnder The Hammer - The Neeps Auction RoomThe Neeps EmporiumReviewsFun & GamesThe Neeps Arms  You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum Card File  Gallery  Forum Archive Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group