Building a No dig garden

Oct 11, 2009

Lucern hay in no dig garden
by: ~ Megan ~

Lucerne hay or any sort of straw or rough material is good at the bottom because it rots quickly and conditions the soil.
Whether you have clay or sand, then adding straw, hay, leaves, fine twigs etc will benefit the soil structure.
The compost and fertiliser on top will provide nutrients for plants to grow, but the soil also needs good drainage and aeration.

You don't strictly need lucerne hay or straw, you can put down your barrier to stop weeds such as paper, then just compost or even kitchen scraps, leaves, grass clippings.
It really depends on a lot of things, such as the quality of the existing soil; what you have available, how aged your materials are and how lazy you feel! It will all rot down eventually.

Regarding spray, yes lucerne hay is grown as a feed for horses, so it can't be too bad. If sold through a garden centre, it would be safe for plants. You could always make sure and ask for an organic supply.
If buying from a farmer, ask them if they sprayed, perhaps for weeds before or during the planting or growing of their hay or straw, or if they applied chemical fertilisers.
It's a difficult area, but constantly checking is the only way to be sure.

Building a No dig garden - Lucerne hay

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Building a No dig garden - Lucerne hay

Building a No dig garden - Lucerne hay

Comments for Building a No dig garden - Lucerne hay

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Building a No dig garden - Lucerne hay